did you build your own home?what cautions do you give us?

Answer 1

I built my home in 1998, and am very happy with it. The good stuff outweighs the bad, but it helps to know a little about construction. I'm lucky that my family restored and remodeled old homes for a living, and my parents have real estate licenses, so here's my advice:

1) Find a contractor that you trust. Ask for references and check them out IN PERSON. Make sure they allow you to sign off on subcontractors before they begin work, and that they have a work plan that they update daily for you to sign off on.
2) Be there for EVERY (and I mean EVERY) inspection, load of new equipment, appliances, flooring, concrete pouring, etc. to head off problems BEFORE they start. (people make mistakes, honest and not so honest)
3) Pay everyone in installments for milestones, according to SATISFACTORY progress (don't settle for tomorrow or next week, or I couldn't. If they cant, then they can wait for payment until they do)
4) Show up at the building site every day and ask to see the progress list from your contractor. Ask to see the current permits for each level of work. Look for benchmarks (make sure you know how long the permits are good for, and what order they need to be in. For example, the plumbing must be inspected before the drywall goes up. The cabinets have to be hung before the counters can be ordered, etc.) And check to see that they actually did the work they signed off on.
5) Make sure you have a real estate lawyer that you can consult, if necessary.
6) Make sure you have a little extra money for delays, extra costs, and other contingencies. (Weather is unpredictable, vendors get back ordered on supplies, and accidents happen. Plan for at least 10% of the original cost estimate of your house as a contingency)
7) If at any time you feel uncomfortable with anything, get a second opinion. Listen to your gut.
8) It's easy to go overboard with extras, and you can go over budget a lot easier when building your own dream house. Invest FIRST in the basic bones of your house, and then SECOND on the cosmetics. Remember, you can always paint the livingroom a different color when you move in, choose and plant your own garden, or swap out countertops to granite when you can afford them, but if you don't have enough electrical outlets, you'll pay bigtime to get more installed.
9) last, but not least, there are classes out there that teach people how to be their own contractors. Even if you hire a contractor, it's worth it to take one of these classes. They are offered through community colleges, and usually last about 3 weeks. Well worth the $50!!

Hope this helps!!

Answer 2

If you can get a building loan without experience, it is down hill from there. You may have to hire a general contractor ( if the bank insists). Go to the library, get books on framing etc. Read them enough to understand what steps to take in building, Try not to pay up front for anything. You may have to pay for material, but try to get accounts set up that will bill you. Never pay upfront for new construction labor, that only applies when doing remodeling.
You can expect to pay weekly, but after the weeks work is done. The excavator has to get it right, so the foundation guys know where to set your house. Make sure the hole looks square with the way your house faces. As the framing goes along, check your print to make sure it is being followed. Measure room sizes yourself, halls, stair width, door and window etc. Perfection would be nice, but not realistic, just try to keep the mistakes manageable. Don't try to micro-manage the process, just stay on top of it. It will be stressful, but worth the effort. As the owners don't discuss things with the subs, unless both of you are there,that will cut down on confusion. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I'd give the ten to Tricia, if only because of her offerings. She didn't state that she actually was involved HANDS ON, but your major issue should be in KNOWING the reputations of ALL the Contractors and SUBS you will have to employ.

In all my years it has been my experience to try it ONCE,,, but that was enough.

I won't go through the litany of details,,or unknowns, but suggest at the very least,,,contact someone local, who designs, and has connections with those who build, for what might be a change of mind for you in the process.

If you have any skills, I suggest you get others involved in areas you aren't skilled in. Perhaps even have a house built to partial completion (shell) and at the very least have Plumbers and Electricians as SUBS.

Rev. Steven

Answer 4

I have not yet built my own home , but my father did and I am an Escrow Officer , so here goes .. Be sure to use a reputable appraiser , inspectors are relentless and *by the book* so be sure whom ever is building your home is 100% up to codes and is in close proximity with the architect who has drawn the plans , hint , electric , and plumbing are the biggest hassles in building your own home . as well as the place meant of certain Joice's for stabilisation.. that's all I got hop it is helpful .. oh and getting a good appraiser is KEY to refinance or sales transactions .. COMPS mean EVERYTHING

Answer 5

my parents just did. it is a HUGE amount of work, stress,a nd money. It is worth it but you have to watch out for scams and stuff. Be prepared to deal with rude contracters and other guys. make sure you stuff is protected and if you have nay knowledge of math and bulding then watch them. If you visit alot then wear clothes you do not care if they get dirty. we had this set of workers who were doing dirty dealing some things like generators. i saw them and it was spooky. they apparently got arrested later. NEVER pay the whole amount until a job is done fully and properly. Pay haf and then half later. I did not build our new home but I did see how it affected my parents. our house is great but there is still much to be done. good luck.

Answer 6

the golden rule - " He who has the gold rules"

I've built 4 houses ( for me ) ( 1000+ in some way or another for others) & 2 dental offices ( for my brother ), remodeled the first one via cell phone while on vacation... all with out 1 contract being signed...
it helps if you also worked for hombuilders for 20 years because the contractors know who you are!