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Advice for a first time home builder
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:53 pm
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:53 pm
Was going to post on the money board but I wanted to get more answers that weren’t concerned with just the financial side. I’ve decided to be the general contractor on my home build (Lake Charles area). I’ve got some help from people who have been general contractors for homes in the past so I decided I would try to save some money in the long run. Any dos and donts from the OT?
45
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:53 pm to tigerclaw10
Don’t be married and do it. It’s the ultimate relationship strain I’ve heard.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:54 pm to tigerclaw10
You may want to try here: Home/Garden Board
This post was edited on 1/25/21 at 6:57 pm
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:55 pm to tigerclaw10
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:57 pm to tigerclaw10
quote:
general contractor on my home build
Did it once, not sure I would ever do it again.
In the big picture getting good subs and getting to work well with you on the timing was the biggest PITA. Project management just kept biting me in the arse. I learned I couldn't trust anyone regarding material lead times.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:58 pm to TigerintheNO
I’ve been on this site for over 10 years, read daily, and never knew their was a home and garden board. This place has everything 
Posted on 1/25/21 at 6:59 pm to tigerclaw10
quote:
I’ve decided to be the general contractor
quote:
on my home build
Are you an architect, engineer, or in construction of any kind? If not get an actual contractor.
I have heard WAY to many horror stories about permitting, inspections, time frames, and incomplete work to tackle something as crucial as my new home. And I like to think of myself as capable.
This post was edited on 1/25/21 at 7:00 pm
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:00 pm to Purple Spoon
I’m an engineer and work with construction guys pretty regularly
This post was edited on 1/25/21 at 7:01 pm
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:01 pm to tigerclaw10
quote:
I’m an engineer
The only guy I know personally to do it successfully was an engineer. It worked out but it took way longer than anticipated.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:01 pm to Hogwarts
quote:
Don’t be married and do it. It’s the ultimate relationship strain I’ve heard.
Especially if you're cheap, and your wife has no budget.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:03 pm to tigerclaw10
If you’re not a contractor...don’t do it, you won’t know or understand anything about contracts or the different subs that you’re trying to “manage”
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:05 pm to tigerclaw10
When it's complete, you will be 20% over budget and three months past your projected completion date.
Don't blame me. I'm just the messenger.
Don't blame me. I'm just the messenger.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:05 pm to tigerclaw10
Tigerclaw- what kind of engineer? Curious as there are many fields of engineering.
I am debating the same issue, but have done temporary construction jobs (concerts, events, grandstands, etc) for 40 years. I was basically the GC on my Katrina repairs. Subs will drive you nuts with scheduling and delivery delays. Good luck!
I am debating the same issue, but have done temporary construction jobs (concerts, events, grandstands, etc) for 40 years. I was basically the GC on my Katrina repairs. Subs will drive you nuts with scheduling and delivery delays. Good luck!
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:05 pm to tigerclaw10
Run wiring and outlets everywhere you think you might want one whether or not you are sure or not. Run wireless AP's or mesh nodes strategically. Run everything back to a central location. Consider exterior camera's etc in this.
If you build a basement, run a pipe somewhere in a wall between the attic to the basement so you can run wiring if needed.
If you build a basement, run a pipe somewhere in a wall between the attic to the basement so you can run wiring if needed.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:08 pm to 225Tyga
I manage contracts and subs at work so I’m pretty knowledgeable in that department but I do know a house is a different story. I honestly plan to get some of the guys that work on our site to do some of the work. Close family member is an electrician for the electrical work. Have been looking at putting a shop in the back, checked out that metal building outlet that stout posted about a week ago. Been a PITA to get a quote back from them though.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:10 pm to Gulffisherman
Chemical engineer but I work with almost exclusively civil engineers.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:10 pm to tigerclaw10
Have plenty of brown water or white cans at your disposal during the entire process. That’s all I got, good luck 
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:11 pm to tigerclaw10
Just go DSLD you broke frick. Decent quality and will meet all of your needs.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:12 pm to tigerclaw10
From personal experience.
The back of my house faces West and has like 20 fricking windows. Wish I’d thought of that and not had so many in back.
Don’t let the contractor build some small arse back patio. You need something large if you want outdoor space.
wish I’d gone with gas heat instead of the electrical heater. Didn’t realize that would frick me during the winter. Again, something the contractor didn’t tell me about because it made their life easier.
That’s pretty much all that went wrong for me.
The back of my house faces West and has like 20 fricking windows. Wish I’d thought of that and not had so many in back.
Don’t let the contractor build some small arse back patio. You need something large if you want outdoor space.
wish I’d gone with gas heat instead of the electrical heater. Didn’t realize that would frick me during the winter. Again, something the contractor didn’t tell me about because it made their life easier.
That’s pretty much all that went wrong for me.
Posted on 1/25/21 at 7:12 pm to Btrtigerfan
quote:
When it's complete, you will be 20% over budget and three months past your projected completion date.
Don't blame me. I'm just the messenger.
I’m two weeks out from moving back in after a 6 month whole home renovation that was supposed to take 1.5 - 2 months. We’re also 30kish over budget and we weren’t cheapskates during this process.
So what he said.
ETA: expect delays, frustrations, lumber cost increases, subcontractors to not show up, then two to show up at the same time, divorce, lumber, tile, and fixtures to be out of stock, etc.
This post was edited on 1/25/21 at 7:15 pm
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