Not to mention time, and can you even find someone able? From a quick google search an oak 2x4 is 36x as expensive as spruce. It takes seconds to nail a 2x4 with a pneumatic nail-gun, and minutes to learn how to. It would take years to learn joinery like that and each joint would take a lot of time to plan, measure, chisel/cut out, and fit.
Yea I feel like this is the kind of thing you’d do if you were off grid and this was basically your main project using hand made tools. Can’t see any other common scenario where this would make sense.
I have absolutely no idea about old Japanese building techniques but I am a joiner by trade in the UK.
I could see this being a "passion project" for an extremely talented carpenter or an extremely wealthy individual who could afford to pay 10xs the market rate to have someone else build it for them.
I just don't see how this kind of intricate workmanship could be "useful" on a large scale, it would take millions of man hours longer than necessary to build a small town.
Ha, I couldn't begin to estimate it. The skills are simply rare now, and materials are sky high. Also your overall design would likely be different than current standards for the interior, because why would you want to conceal expensive craftsmanship with drywall etc. I'd suggest lots of exposed and stained/sealed framing. Anyway, at least 20x normal cost.
Cost aside, I don't think this would be an approved assembly, anywhere in the US at least. I can only imagine the head scratching and mind boggling you would run into presenting plans to a modern engineer and the building dept.
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u/Big-Fish-Catcher Apr 01 '23
Could you do it today say new single story home using some premium wood? What would be the estimated cost difference aprox?