re: Self Contract New Home Build.

I've done it. While my day job has nothing to do with residential construction, I've done some investment properties and design work. Despite being very familiar with construction, I still needed to lean on some contractor friends for help. I was able to save money doing it on my own, but there are some things you need to consider before going that route.

Typically a subcontractor isn't going to give you the same rate that they give a contractor unless you are paying cash. Paying cash has some drawbacks and I wouldn't suggest doing that either. The material supplier may offer discounts to the contractor that you don't get. In other words, you'll spend more than a contractor would to build your house. You are going to spend money on mistakes that a contractor wouldn't have. The only savings you will have will be the contractor fee minus those differences.

One of the biggest issues self-contractors have is getting subs to come back and fix things. However, the contractor can make a call and the sub sends someone over to fix it b/c they have that relationship. The licensed subs will be better at this (foundation, framing, brick, plumbers, elec, hvac, roofer, etc) b/c they have to be licensed. But your subs for drywall, flooring, painter, countertops, etc will be harder to get down the road.

I don't recommend self contracting to people unless they are tied into construction already in some way. If you still want to do it, the absolute best advice I can give you is this. Only hire subs that you know OR that come highly recommended by someone you trust. Do NOT hire a sub based on their price.