Building an A-Frame as an Owner-Builder — Lender & Cost Questions

[Andrew Bravo]

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on a project I’ve been planning. I own a lot where I’d like to build an A-frame loft around 1500–1700 sq ft. I don’t have blueprints or cost estimates yet, just a rough draft of what I want. My plan was to live in it short-term so I could qualify for a loan and build it myself, but the one lender I spoke with said it has to be done by a licensed builder/GC. Not sure if that’s always the case or if there are lenders that work with owner-builders.

For background: I bought a 4-plex in 2021 with an FHA loan, which I still own and manage. I've done about 6–7 years of commercial drywall, painting, and light framing, plus full interior renovations on my units (flooring, trim, doors, kitchens, baths, landscaping). I feel confident in my ability to handle a lot of the work, but I also want to be realistic about lender requirements.

Another thing I’m unsure about is whether building an A-frame specifically is much more expensive than a traditional home. From what I’ve seen online, some people say it’s significantly more, others say it’s about the same. Any real-world input on that would be super helpful.

The idea is to eventually run this new build as an Airbnb. Based on my numbers, it could cash flow around $500/month, which I know isn’t huge but would still be a win for me. Worst-case, I think it would at least break even as a long-term rental.

Has anyone here built their own new construction home under similar circumstances? Is it truly necessary to use a licensed builder for financing, or have you found lenders open to experienced owner-builders? Any feedback on A-frame costs, the financial side, or just general advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!