Look at my post under "Costs" from 5/3/06. We built our timber frame home using sips and lots of custom extras for about $61 sq.ft. We got most of our general building supplies from Lowes or Home Depot at regular costs. I look at things differently I guess, it is all sweat equity, the difference is how much you pay for that sweat equity. You either do the work yourself and give out sweat and time or pay someone else a lot more and give out your "sweat equity" at a job to pay for it. I have to agree that building your own house is one of the most satisfying experiences, I look around and still can't believe that my wife and I created our little wood paradise.