Template or from scratch

I'm trying to build a website for the first time ever and I was wondering if it was better to start from scratch or work of a template.

I prefer from scratch. That is probably what you will here from most members. However, if this is your very first time a template will at least give you some idea on layout. Of course, you could look at a bunch of templates and the build yours from scratch. Ultimately, it is up to you. Good luck!!!

http://www.newguyinennis.com/samples/layouts/

The link above has some very nice bare-bones layouts made by our very own moojoo. Starting from scratch may be a little bit over your head, but having something valid and done well to start with is probably a good idea. If anything, you can play with manipulating the CSS to get an idea how it works. Then you can use what you learned to start something on your own. If you're serious about wanting a good website, you'll need to hand code. No WYSIWYG editors unless you're sticking to code view.

I have a much harder time looking at a template and putting the pieces together in my mind. So many people post problems here with templates and I look at the code and scratch my head most of the time.... thinking "Where do I start"? It's like looking at someone elses language.

I agree with you a lot of times. When I've been working on a project too long, I'll just scrap the CSS and start over. It's faster for me and I usually make it better the second or third time around.