Thinking About Building

Z71Adrenaline · March 28, 2009

Hey guys.. here's kind of a quick overview of what's going on with me..

I'm finally getting settled in an office and I am looking for a place to live. Real estate prices are nuts here and what is available in my price range is really not that desireable.

I can buy a few acres and build a house for less than I could buy a 20 year old version of what I'm wanting to build. I have enough experience with working on homes that I feel comfortable with doing some of the work myself. I have a plumber and HVAC guy in the family, so I know I can cut corners wherever necessary. Houses in the area appraise for $20-30 a square foot more than I think I can get it built for, so equity will be available instantly.

I think I have found the plan I want, and am currently looking for a lot. It'll be about 1,600 square feet, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, and will be mostly open floorplan. I am a simple guy, so the house will be fairly simple. Custom, but simple.

I don't think I'll sleep for a week now that I've finally started to make up my mind to do this, so I am ready to finalize some plans!

I guess what I need is some advice from anybody that has ever built on here as to where I can save, things to do and think about before I get the process underway, and the like.

Zembonez · March 28, 2009

I think that might well be one of the greatest things a guy can do in life. If you think you have your ducks in a row, I say go for it!

Z71Adrenaline · March 28, 2009

I think that might well be one of the greatest things a guy can do in life. If you think you have your ducks in a row, I say go for it!

My ducks are always in a row, Jim!

I talked with a realtor the other day and she told me that what I am wanting to build would sell again before I could get a sign put up in the yard. It will be in the best school district in the area which is where everybody is trying to move, but there are no middle-market homes available. SO yeah, I am pumped!

ryan_hermanutz · March 28, 2009

You can always be the general contractor, that way you can control the cost and hire the sub-contractors that know will give you the best price and are not in the GC's good ole boy club.

Zembonez · March 28, 2009

I think that might well be one of the greatest things a guy can do in life. If you think you have your ducks in a row, I say go for it!

My ducks are always in a row, Jim!

I talked with a realtor the other day and she told me that what I am wanting to build would sell again before I could get a sign put up in the yard. It will be in the best school district in the area which is where everybody is trying to move, but there are no middle-market homes available. SO yeah, I am pumped!

Yeah well... that was sort of a play on your user name.

I'd love to build my next house. I only wish I had done the one I have now. Good luck with it!

GARB55 · March 28, 2009

I think that might well be one of the greatest things a guy can do in life. If you think you have your ducks in a row, I say go for it!

My ducks are always in a row, Jim!

I talked with a realtor the other day and she told me that what I am wanting to build would sell again before I could get a sign put up in the yard. It will be in the best school district in the area which is where everybody is trying to move, but there are no middle-market homes available. SO yeah, I am pumped!

Yeah well... that was sort of a play on your user name.

I'd love to build my next house. I only wish I had done the one I have now. Good luck with it!

+1

I just need the resources and I would have built mine.

hodo78 · March 28, 2009

I am actually currently building my first house. (I have been living in apartments for 10 years ) It was started the second week of January and is scheduled to be completed by May 12, but they are ahead at this point and current completion date is last week of April. So we'll see.

I am building a smaller 1400 sqft single story house. It is 3 bedroom, 2 bath.

We decided to build a plan that I got from a builder I knew.

The customizations we added:

-widened one whole side of the house by 1ft.

-Oversized 23x24ft garage

-550sqft floored in attic storage above garage

-upgraded to stainless whirlpool appliances

-real wood floors through out with the exception of the Kitchen, Laundry, and Baths which will be ceramic tile.

-had the whole house wire with CAT6 for network, and CAT5E for phone, multiple outlets in each bedroom, great room, and kitchen.

-added dedicated AC plug for freezer in garage, and dedicated AC plug for work bench in garage.

-had them build dual gables over the garage instead the usual single

-built for dual 9ft wide garage doors instead of a single 18ft.

-had extra cable/phone outlets install through out the house

-Jacuzzi tub in master bath

-Custom closet in master bath

-whole house pre-wire for alarm system

-brushed aluminum faucets, shower heads, door knobs, light fixtures, ceiling fans

-"old school" white kohler cast iron sink in the kitchen (wifes thing)

These things we had done over the "standard" plan added an additional 8% on to the price tag, but well worth it IMO to have the house like you want it.

So our new house is nothing overly special, but its works for what we want it for. I wish you luck in building you new place!!

I have enjoyed the whole process so far, and would not hesitate to do it again.

alaska511 · March 28, 2009

I think this is great, if you are able to do it. I have been looking at houses, and the brand new ones are cheaper than the existing houses due the fact that they are over mortgaged. The builders are anxious to sell new ones, and build me one to my spec.

I am surely tempted...

Best of luck, keep us posted!

mattgob86 · March 28, 2009

I highly recommend this action. My family helps each other build all of our houses, we frame, side, and trim and subcontract everything else out. It deffinately cuts down the cost. My parents house that we built from summer of 2000 to may 2001 could prolly sell for 250,000 or more now that we have a giant shed, and the morgage was for 125000 so yea saves some money.

gave20 · March 28, 2009

IF you go this route I would be the general contractor. If you build everything yourself you'll have a hard time getting a construction loan from the bank as loan time will be too short for you to do the work yourself. Being the general contractor isn't fun either; the constant planning and oversight will really affect your day time job since you'll have to be in constant communication with your sub and keeping them on pace. If you want a big challenge go this route. If you're going to stay in the house for many years pay some one else to build and allow the equity to build up over that time.

pennzoil29 · March 28, 2009

Good luck, and I really hope everything works out for you.

chevylobo · March 28, 2009

go for it and you can hire me asa contractor ill drive outa state to work lol

MarkD · March 28, 2009

Good Luck! If I can help in any way, let me know.

BTW, what are the $/sf levels you are looking at? PM if you consider it sensitive.

Painting yourself will save some $$$, but I would see if your sheetrock man would prime his work for you and paint the ceilings (if smooth finish).

Use Acrylic, not fiberglass tubs/showers. They are a little more expensive, but look good for decades longer.

Go with Delta faucets. They hold up better and can often be repaired without tearing up sheetrock.

Check the square on your foundation setup at least once a day and when you start with the lumber

Use treated lumber for your foundation under your baths, laundry and kitchen.

Locate your drain lines on your floor system when laying out your floor joists to prevent having to go back and cut access.

BuckFeverZ · March 28, 2009

Good Luck! If I can help in any way, let me know.

BTW, what are the $/sf levels you are looking at? PM if you consider it sensitive.

Painting yourself will save some $$, but I would see if your sheetrock man would prime his work for you and paint the ceilings (if smooth finish).

Use Acrylic, not fiberglass tubs/showers. They are a little more expensive, but look good for decades longer.

Go with Kohler faucets. They hold up better and can often be repaired without tearing up sheetrock.

Check the square on your foundation setup at least once a day and when you start with the lumber

Use treated lumber for your foundation under your baths, laundry and kitchen.

Locate your drain lines on your floor system when laying out your floor joists to prevent having to go back and cut access.

All good points and fixed

Hell, I'll come down and frame it for you. I'll probably be laid off anyway

nick44 · March 28, 2009

We just bought a house in KY and we got a great deal bc it was forclosed on and the bank had it for 2 years and took a huge loss on it. If we had it all over to do again like orginally planed we would build. I am kinda dissapointed we didnt build but this deal was just too good to pass up and will make us money in the long run. Good luck with everything and post some pictures as build goes!