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re: Anyone ever been their own GC for a new home build?
Posted on 8/3/22 at 9:06 pm to Boudreaux35
Posted on 8/3/22 at 9:06 pm to Boudreaux35
quote:
Tell him to get his contractor's license and take the responsibility. Trying to do that on your own, without ANY experience is absolutely asking for a real life nightmare. Do it and I guarantee you 2 things. You will spend way more than you should AND your marriage will fail.
I agree. Although I don’t know about the marriage failing part you could lose any hair you may have on your head and lose any good relationship you have with your brother.
0
Posted on 8/4/22 at 6:24 pm to Bowhunter94
It really depends where you are building. We are in the process of building and are subbing it out ourselves. The biggest issue is getting people you hire to do their portion of work scheduled when one is finished and so forth. With the homes being built and where we are building, it’s been trying at times. On one hand, interest has been high on the construction loan. But, we have saved three times as much doing it ourselves. Case in point, we started building in the last week in February, my buddy started a month later and used a GC. He has gotten ahead of me, but not by a lot and has had nothing but issues with his GC. My Sheetrock guy comes this week and then I am about even with him. Again, we aren’t in a very busy area so it may be different in a bigger city. Permits were a breeze as well and the inspections haven’t affected me in the least.
Posted on 8/4/22 at 6:51 pm to Bowhunter94
quote:
My brother is a Subcontractor and said that we should forgo the use of a GC and handle that ourselves. He said he can recommend all of the other subs that we will need and will assist in inspections of their work.
Talk to your BIL and agree on a flat fee for him to handle everything so you won't be the middle man.
Posted on 8/4/22 at 7:46 pm to Bowhunter94
In this day and age, I highly don’t recommend it. I could give you 78 reasons why not from conception, procurement, construction, warranty, and family life. Also remember your brother has his own business to run.
Posted on 8/4/22 at 8:10 pm to Bowhunter94
I remodeled our master bath and kitchen a year ago, and hired all the subs myself. Even with my neighbor who is a contractor recommending the subs it was a real pain. Most wont show up on time or at all, one actually showed up a week late, and raised hell that I already gave the job to someone else. The first kitchen tile guy did good work until he went to lunch, and returned drunk. To keep the job moving I ended up doing a lot more work myself than I planned to do. This is what you deal with!
Posted on 8/4/22 at 8:50 pm to Bowhunter94
The amount you might save will not be worth it. The carrying cost on top of where you are staying now will also eat into that. It will definitely take you longer.
This post was edited on 8/4/22 at 8:51 pm
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:10 am to GrizzlyAlloy
I did it a few years back and enjoyed the experience. I visited the site once or twice a day to answer questions and inspect the work. I caught mistakes but on the flip side the subs made suggestions on changes that made since to me. It took about 20-30 minutes each time and was easy because my office was 5 minutes away.
The biggest issue was I only had a certain number of draws from the bank during construction, but had to pay the subs regularly. I often paid them out of pocket but eventually reimbursed myself.
to those saying not to do it probably hasn't.
The biggest issue was I only had a certain number of draws from the bank during construction, but had to pay the subs regularly. I often paid them out of pocket but eventually reimbursed myself.
to those saying not to do it probably hasn't.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 8:09 am to rodnreel
quote:
to those saying not to do it probably hasn't.
I've done it as recently as 2022 and can attest that subs are historically bad to deal with right now. I think partly because of COVID and partly because of the hurricanes. I was talking to someone just yesterday who got a quote to trim out a 4,000 sq. foot home. Nothing fancy, just farmhouse style with a single crown extension.
Sub gave him a quote of $50,000 for labor and materials.
Dealing with subs right now is much different than it was a few years back.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 9:18 am to redstick13
I’ve done it back in 2017-18. I saved money by doing the work myself, NOT by just self-contracting.
It’s a vastly different environment today than it was a few years ago. Contractors are much tougher, materials are difficult, and costs/interest rates have skyrocketed.
If you’re planning to do the work yourself, it can make a lot of sense, even today.
If not, you will be trading LARGE amounts of time away from your job and family for money saved over your 30 yr mortgage.
Your brother sounds willing to help, so that is a huge bonus. But remember it’s not his house or his job, so you will not be priority. There are several options on GC contract structures that can help you leverage their subs without costing you quite as much.
It’s a vastly different environment today than it was a few years ago. Contractors are much tougher, materials are difficult, and costs/interest rates have skyrocketed.
If you’re planning to do the work yourself, it can make a lot of sense, even today.
If not, you will be trading LARGE amounts of time away from your job and family for money saved over your 30 yr mortgage.
Your brother sounds willing to help, so that is a huge bonus. But remember it’s not his house or his job, so you will not be priority. There are several options on GC contract structures that can help you leverage their subs without costing you quite as much.
Posted on 8/7/22 at 9:26 am to Bowhunter94
I finished my build November of 2020. Just before the Covid idiocracy got insane.
I will tell you I absolutely saved some money. I will also tell you that it was absolutely not worth the saved money. I became one hell of a bourbon drinker during my build. Having to fire subs and find replacements and stay on the timeline to get your next subs in was a nightmare.
It legitimately was a second full time job. I was able to take a lot of time off from my regular job and it was still a complete pain in the arse. I will NEVER do it again.
Also, It took me 10 months, but a good GC could get it done in nearly half that time.
I did exactly what you're doing here. I posted about it. Asked a bunch of questions. And I didn't listen to any of the responses like mine. I wish I would've, but truly I'd already made up my mind that I was doing it.
I was an "askhole." I should've listened. Wasn't worth it.
I will tell you I absolutely saved some money. I will also tell you that it was absolutely not worth the saved money. I became one hell of a bourbon drinker during my build. Having to fire subs and find replacements and stay on the timeline to get your next subs in was a nightmare.
It legitimately was a second full time job. I was able to take a lot of time off from my regular job and it was still a complete pain in the arse. I will NEVER do it again.
Also, It took me 10 months, but a good GC could get it done in nearly half that time.
I did exactly what you're doing here. I posted about it. Asked a bunch of questions. And I didn't listen to any of the responses like mine. I wish I would've, but truly I'd already made up my mind that I was doing it.
I was an "askhole." I should've listened. Wasn't worth it.
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