10 Mistakes We Made Building Our Spec House 

Scott and Nate - I have to admit, I was a bit nervous watching this video when I saw it on my feed. I knew about some of these from our discussions and your other videos but some are new to me. We feel very fortunate that we get to own this house and know we could never have it built for what we paid even if we were given the lot. I did expect to see the main stairs be mentioned but there isn't anything I would add to your list based on the last 2 years of using the house. This video demonstrates how humble you two are by admitting your mistakes to help others and doesn't change the way we feel about the house. There are so many ways and opinions to build a house and I think you did a great job with the final product while not completely losing sight of the targeted price point. That pot filler accident was a big set back but is likely the reason we got to be the owners. Had that not occurred then the Spec House would have hit the market a couple months earlier and we were not in the position to buy at that time because our previous house was just hitting the market. I look forward to the Shop Talk sessions you host and always learn something.

The Spec House Series is hall of fame youtube. This is an important educational document that will be shared with many moving forward.

I’ve never really considered a pot filler over the stove. It makes perfect sense to AVOID installing a water source without a drain to evacuate the inevitable leak. Now I know not to ever install one! Thanks for displaying your mistakes!

Humble enough to not only admit, but share your mistakes with a few million others- in hopes they avoid the same. Keep up the good work. ❤

I watched every episode, and loved the series. And it's no shock to me you're only just healed from it now! For me the only mistake that's worth counting is buying that site. It was so difficult in every single way. If you had had a more conventional site that would have given you a bit more bandwidth to do everything else, and mitigate the need for crazy retaining walls, and compromised access

Best full documentary of building a house on RU-vid hands down watched every episode and have watched some more the once lol love from a chippy in the uk 🤝🏼

The Spec House series is, without a doubt, the best long format teaching content that I've seen anywhere!

This video is what we love about EC! We aren't afraid of mistakes. They are an opportunity to learn. And ill say this, as someone who is about to start the journey of building my families forever home, this is the greatest series ever.

I thought it was an absolute masterpiece. Not many housebuilders are perfectionists.

No build was ever seamless. I admire those that share their true experiences and remain humbled. Knowledge obtained through error embeds deep. Thank you once again!

Even as a commercial electrician I kept nodding my head at every issue you faced. It's just the beast of construction.

I love that you made this video, I loved this series so much and have used a lot of the knowledge I gained from it. I think for me this video was a nice closure if you will to a series I spent a lot of time with and anxiously awaited new episodes to. And icing on the cake I've always wondered how the new owners of the home felt about the videos about the hard times and the struggles of building and then I see them in the comments it just feels great. This whole series was just great and appreciated by a young man in Arkansas learning how to take care of his home. Thanks again.

That’s been one of the best series ever produced for RU-vid!

You made a handful of mistakes amongst the tens of thousands of tasks you completed perfectly. You deserve an Olympic Gold medal for this massive achievement. Your work ethic is incredible. Well done.

These "De-Brief" videos are just as, if not more valuable than the original build series. Thank you for all you do to teach all of us!

I would love to hear you speak about your FAVORITE parts of this also! What a great recap on the mistakes thank you!

My then four year old and I watched almost every episode, I was planning on bringing her with me to the open house but an unplanned layoff caught me. She paid you a massive comment EC, during one of the concrete episodes (I think it was the sack and patch) as you were talking about a minor mistake you made; she in a slightly reverent awe said “Boy, he sure knows what he’s doing there.” I grew up watching This Old House and New Yankee Workshop with my dad, glad I get the chance to share the next generation of those shows with the next generation.

That's a beauty, a lasting beauty, worth the full price

As a builder I thank you for posting this. It’s part of the building process.

You did a fantastic job! Absolutely beautiful home that anyone would be lucky to live in! I would take your worst home build over some other builder's best! Cheers!

This looks like a series I'll have to go back and watch! As for the space under the steps, if the homeowner is ever desperate enough for it they can knock a hole and get to it lol not like it's off limits forever!

Thank you for the extreme honesty in revealing some shortcomings in the project. Very few IMHO.

It is the best video series on RU-vid and it still inspires me. You are a role model of mine and beyond your lessons on construction, your lessons on character are ten times as valuable.

We were building a timber frame house at the same time as the spec house series and it was very interesting to see the differences in design and technique. Generally it appeared as though the spec house was built to a higher standard than is the norm here, despite the mistakes. We have learned too, that mistakes are inevitable, and once the house becomes a home, minor issues fade into the background of life and what is really important is a warm, dry, sunny place to live and be a family. Well done on the series and thanks for posting it

To me, the difficult site and complicated site was always what this house was meant to be. This channel showcases great work and problem solving so while it may have been hard, your audience was able to see what is possible with tons of challenges ahead. I was a laborer/carpenter when this series came out, and now I’m an estimator working on projects worth tens of millions of dollars. I learned from it then, and continue to use that knowledge to this day. I’ll always appreciate you guys taking the difficult route to make a great product. Thank you, and keep up the good work!

The perfect narrator . Clear tone of your voice draws one in , not to turn away or swipe left. Always a great video.

The amount of ambition, and the level of execution on this series, and the consistent tone, cinematography, color grading, narration, and content value makes this series, in my opinion, the best thing ever done on youtube. I can't think of any other youtube channel with anything near this.

Lack of Hubris, an admired trait! Great video!!!!

The man who Never Made a mistake, NEVER made anything. You, Mr. Wadsworth made an awful lot!! Even if one or two things were learning points, as how not to do it. I salute you.

"Can't see it from my house!" But dang man, if those are the only mistakes... bless you brother. It was a fun series to watch and kudos to you for making this dedicated video of the items which the untrained eye would never even notice

This project was a great instructional project with minimal problems congratulations

I watched it all, liked about ninety per cent of it, thought it was a neat use of that odd plot. Thanks again for showing us what you do.

I watched the job, start to fnish. I didn't always agree with your choices but I learned so much from you, Scot, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart fir what you undertook to produce the Soec House series. I'm still an avid viewer and love the guys you have introduced me to, your family, Phill Rocus, Justin, Ken, Sy Swan and all of the rest of the amazing folks who make your channel. Thank you again for bringing me into your world. Bless you.

Scott, I watched from day 1. One of the most memorable series on RU-vid.

Great job! I always thought those over the stove , pot fillers are not best idea they have come with in the past 20 years

spec home?..nicest spec home Ive seen ..great job!..someone got a really great looking home, functional layout, view, and bang for their buck!

I watched almost every one, and you Nate and the others certainly put the work in. I would have loved to come over and see the house, but living in the UK, it wasn’t feasible. It doesn’t surprise me to hear that it took a lot of getting over. You did a good job, and by filming it, Like Larry Hahn all those years ago, the world is a better place as a result. Well done!

That was a wonderful series to watch. Once again, thanks for sharing.

This series helped me and motivated me with my own full gut remodel. I can really relate with the survival mode feeling!

Beautiful home. A design that will stand the test of time.

I'd forgotten about that project. Good Stuff.

The spec house series is the best youtube project I have ever watched. I am ready to start episode one again.

Thanks Scott. Everybody that's built something like a house or a barn ,knows well that exhausted feeling. You need a holiday after something like that. If you think over how many decisions was involved in the project, it's nothing short of a miracle, how well it went.

I did see the whole series on the house and if those issues are all you can identify, it doesn't change my opinion of how impressive your accumulated knowledge and wisdom are clearly on display with the finished product...Well done sir, and thank you for sharing your journey...

Very complicated floor plan! I remember when this series was happening. I am a framer in new england and have always appreciated your videos. Passing knowledge to the next. Just little tips here and there can shave seconds off a task or make it that much easier. Thank you for showing the good with the bad! Btw the clips of the young one placing hangers is gold! Great to see family involved in work and being together!

Actually only 10 identifiable mistakes out of probably 10,000 potential mistakes is awesomely good! Thanks for warning us about them.

Watching this spec house being built on RU-vid and having the opportunity to meet you and see the house is something I will never forget. Thank you.

We'd all do things differently in hindsight. We do the best we can with the info we have at the time. Looks like you did that and cared to do quality work. Good job

I watched every episode as they were originally posted and always looked forward to the next. There were times when I almost got hot and sweaty with you. It says a lot that you’d pull back the curtain and highlight your mistakes. That’s one of the best ways to learn - and to make it all “real”. There are way too many people (and RU-vidrs) who don’t have that virtue or at least don’t display it enough. Thanks!

I found the house build videos excellent, especially as I am building a wooden house in France. But now I just like to go back and watch different ones, for the depth, interest and the relaxation of them. Hope you're all doing fine. Thanks so much for an amazing series.

I modelled my concrete retaining wall here in Thailand on yours and it is still standing tall, strong and looks great after 3 years. Thank you for all your efforts 👍👍

You helped me build my own house with this series. Thanks for the videos!

I watched this whole series. It was amazing..

Thanks, for who you are and what you do.

Thank you so much for this video, I really needed to see this. We are just finishing the interior of our own house and we are now in "survival mode" just like you are describing. I get the impression with every new build you find new ways to make mistakes, but this was very encouraging to watch!

One of the most amazing RU-vid experiences! Thank you. Am currently building my first house in my 50's in Ireland!

For the pot filler - if you did one again - would you maybe put some tile or just finished concrete - with a drain - in just the space under the oven? like a more commercial kitchen water proof floor in just that spot? or would that be too much work for too little return? i have always wanted a pot filler but had never thought about what would happen if it sprung a leak when i wasn't around.

I loved that series, and am now embarking on a garden storage shed. Wood frame and IBR cladding and roof. Desighen to be temporary, because when we are done shufgljng the junkin and out of it, it will be disassemled and transported to my daughter's small farm where it will expand her horizons.

This idea of showing all of these possible mistakes/ struggles was brilliant, much respect!

Great video! I would absolutely be accessing that space under the stairs if I lived there.

It was an incredibly fantastic series to be sure, and when you humbly point out a list of your own mistakes (that you can count on only one hand) it's obvious that the building team hit a home run...and has nothing to regret or be ashamed of. And, might I add, I hope this video series is being used in corporations and universities as a perfect study of team building, project management, communication...not to mention physics, fluid dynamics...and the list goes on. A magnum opus on many levels, covering multiple disciplines. Outstanding.

An amazing series with great attention to detail. As a retired General Contractor, home builer, excavator, I felt the lot was a huge Detriment. The cost for the engineering, retaining wall, rip rap Boulders, rear retaining wall, no yard space, limited accessibility in the construction from start to finish complicated the project More than about anyone would ever want. Beautiful home.

Most pure and honest channel available. Thanks guys. I’m Thankful for the example you guys are for the world.

So awesome that you made this video…….we never really walk away from all the projects we’ve been involved with. They always stay with us, they’re a part of our past and who we are going forward. The good and the bad. Just like our memory takes us back…..this video reunites us all, back to this build. Thank you!

We can all be a Monday morning quarterback, but not everyone can accomplish what Scott and Nate achieved during this project. I see humility and gratitude in Scott’s demeanor, and we are all fortunate to have access to this man’s wisdom and teachings. I built my home twenty five years ago and I have not stopped thinking about the things I wish I had done differently. That said, I still gained the satisfaction of accomplishing something worthwhile for me and my family. I appreciate Scott as for sharing his life skills as he teaches us how to be better. Thanks Scott and Nate and the Essential Craftsman family.

Even if you made mistakes; the result is beautifully made; with quality and surely will stand time much better than most houses.

It sure was a fabulous time to follow the build

Scott, my wife and I were there for your open house event. THANK you for opening your work, heart and life to us via the Tube. Best!

That was such a good defief! Lots to learn from even this short video! Your team has done some fine work!

I’m not a fan of pot fillers. We installed one on my brothers house and I’m always worried it will be left on. A faucet without a drain under it just doesn’t make sense to me.

One of the best things on RU-vid.

The spec house build that was documented on this channel, is the best video series I have seen online documenting all the steps on building a home. Very Informative, interesting, and detailed. I would LOVE to see a second spec build someday.

It was a great series, regardless, and I enjoyed and learned from every episode! Thank you!

I really appreciate this video, I just built my house at the same time as you did by myself. This completely echos my experience, every word of it.

I'm writing you in for president. Less important side note. I feel for you dudes and dudettes building in such a wet climate. I'm in a dry and sunny locale and it eliminates so many needs to protect materials during construction.

That was a great series. It was good to renew acquaintance with the old guy smoking his pipe in the chair while you worked.

That huge water damage to the floor, right at the end of the project, must have been totally brutal. Well done EC, it was an amazing project to watch, and enjoyable to share the experience with you. Thank you.❤

The design was ambitious, the site was challenging. The paradigm shift of showing every bit of minutiae in front of an audience with regional bias, for material selection and procedures and different expectations. Agriculture has seen 2700% upgrades in technology since the 80's. Construction does not lag far behind. Plywood-osb-wrb integration- new energy codes with insulation is just one. Massive failures with using plastic for vapor barrier and spray foam.... without fully understanding new issues of trapping the moisture. Energy codes trumping structure and and new housing falling down because of it. Lets face it,Larry Haun built an energy hog before technology changed the assembly...and live feedback from multiple social media platforms. Larry had hand nails of every size sold in bulk from a spinner at the hardware store. Very few options for gun nails,and screws were only for door hardware. Today all manner of screws and gun nails are sold in bulk,and hand nails are sold in 5lbs and smaller packages as a "specialty " fastner. Along with changes to an Archimedes' threaded environment, from a caveman's hammer and nail.... Cordless technology has changed the modern worksite. Posting your work in front of live audience builds thick skin,and a lot of slices and small cuts to your mental health....until the calluses can be built. The modern home is built with an out of control, segmented pool of specialty trades. "Not my job" pervades the modern site. In the end being intimate with every board and fastner, brings all the angst and praise for every decision to fewer tradesmen. A craftsman will always try to learn from past mistakes and poor design, and always strive to build a better mousetrap the next time. Were there mistakes? Absolutely, was it built better then the jobs before...Unequivocally yes! Productivity ,while adding innovation is what makes the "Essential Craftsman " the treasure that so many of us value and strive to attain!

Even with the basis you guys had combined and the network, it's still a monumental task you've overcome. Be proud of yourselves - it's definitely allowed. And now it's here for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

I loved the project and watching it all come together. I still can’t believe it’s been so long. It feels like yesterday. I think if I changed one thing about the project it would have been the lot selection. It was very small, very complicated and located on a dead end. It seemed like you were fighting it the entire build and the homeowner was left with an exquisite home with no usable yard. Hopefully that doesn’t come off as harsh. I truly love the house and the series. That’s just my feedback since the discussion was brought up.

Ya know Mr. Wadsworth I’ve been with you from the start of this channel and I’m always grateful for your honesty and how you don’t make excuses for mistakes. There are many other good parenting things you do for your audience but, I just wanted to say, you’re a good man, Scott, to the glory of God. thank you.

The spec house series was awesome, I really enjoyed it. Anyone who didn't see it, go back and look.

I truly enjoyed watching the series. I hope continue to do projects that make a series. I liked the garage/office series. Maybe next a shed or room remodel?

Loved watching this entire series. My late grandfather was a framing carpenter and late father a finishing carpenter, so seeing this was a trip down memory lane. Granted this project was more updated then what I remember of their work but knowing the hardships still persist, but the pride and beauty of a well crafted home will endure. Thank you!

This was an incredible series to watch. Thank you

The spec house series is what got me watching Essential Craftsman and it was a joy to watch this home be built and all videos. Keep up the good work! 👍

Thanks again for the Spec House Series. To this day it's still the best RU-vid series I've watched start to finish!

What a gift you and your subcontractors are to humanity. What you call mistakes, I see as learning by doing. It is that learning by doing that you so graciously pass on to other craftsmen.( I put in a doorway in my garage area, it was under a load bearing wall. Thanks to you, I was able to handle it elegantly and safely. "The 2x4 Jack".)

Thank you sir for sharing your story! Keep up the great work !

I really enjoyed that series.

I’ve kept up with this build and am stoked y’all finished it. I own a small plumbing business in Hawaii and I’ve gotta say that watching Phil made me a better plumber.

I just finished and moved my family into our new house 3 weeks ago on 30 acres in rural NE Kansas. I managed and did a large portion of the work myself with a newborn and a 2 year old at home with my wife, while also upholding a demanding full-time job. I watched most of this series in the build-up and planning of my house. It was great timing and a great resource for thinking through a lot of items and how I wanted to do it and helped give me the confidence to tackle my dream. I can relate to some of these mistakes. The house was larger and more cut up than I realized, and my pot filler gave me fits just prior to move in as well! I can relate to the feeling of tackling a large task bit by bit wondering how you’ll ever get to the end some days… and such a relief when it’s done and great to look back on. Great series and thanks for the ride. It’s a piece of my life this channel will always be associated with.

It's time to do another spec house. You can't overstate how knowledgeable our school craftsmanship is, and it's an honour to have watched your last Project, but I genuinely hope for another one on this scale.

What a great story and adventure. Hat's off to you. Wish I had the skill to pull this off with my son. Perhaps he will with his (son). Blessings to you.

AND, you got it done!

Scott, what you do is fantastic. Felt under shingles is NOT a mistake. Felt is an excellent building material, much underappreciated because of new wraps. I take a slightly different view regarding the "Pot Filler Incident". The mistake is not in putting in a pot filler, but putting wood in the kitchen floor. I know, everyone wants it now, but the reality of wood floors in kitchen service hasn't changed. Huge Respect.

Well done EC.

Absolutely amazing work 👍🙏

It takes a lot to own up to your mistakes, putting your ego aside so others can stand on your shoulders. But the value in the lessons from a mistake are lifelong ,so thank you for sharing them for us to learn from.

That was brutally honest. Not many would be willing rip the scabs off for the sake of transparency. Kudos!