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Started By
Message
re: Residential Home Construction - Companies to do a material take-off
Posted on 2/18/25 at 4:12 pm to Tigertracks23
Posted on 2/18/25 at 4:12 pm to Tigertracks23
quote:
Hi IM thinking about building my home without a GC and am wanting to take my plans to a company that can do a material take-off for cost estimates to build in Baton Rouge/Central area.
Just take your plans to like 84 Lumber or something. They will give you a materials list with price quotes. Call your foundation guy and get a quote from him as well. Its just gonna take a little leg work. Your subs can help you a bit
0
Posted on 2/18/25 at 4:18 pm to Tigertracks23
quote:
Hi IM thinking about building my home without a GC
Posted on 2/18/25 at 4:38 pm to iwyLSUiwy
quote:
quote:
Hi IM thinking about building my home without a GC
I mean it can be done if you have some folks you know that you trust. The thing is these subs are gonna price you higher and take longer to get to your job because their priority is always gonna be the ones consistently giving them work. You also wont be there all the time(im assuming he works during day). This is an issue most dont take account for.
*I am a builder
Posted on 2/18/25 at 4:43 pm to Tigertracks23
Sounds like you need a contractor bub.
This post was edited on 2/18/25 at 4:47 pm
Posted on 2/18/25 at 5:05 pm to scottydoesntknow
*I'm a GC too (North LA). That's why I laughed. I wasn't going to go into reasons why I thought it was funny but you touched on the biggest things that people don't think about. The subs will do the work, but you are going to be on the backburner to their builders and also get the lowest quality work because they don't have the oversight and know they won't ever have to come back to that house to right a wrong.
Posted on 2/18/25 at 7:36 pm to iwyLSUiwy
quote:
*I'm a GC too (North LA). That's why I laughed. I wasn't going to go into reasons why I thought it was funny but you touched on the biggest things that people don't think about. The subs will do the work, but you are going to be on the backburner to their builders and also get the lowest quality work because they don't have the oversight and know they won't ever have to come back to that house to right a wrong.
Yeah unless your cousin is a really good framer or something or your best friend is a GC that will help you out, its gonna be an adventure
Posted on 2/18/25 at 9:47 pm to scottydoesntknow
the bulk of my input is several months back but reading other comments
Wife wanted to select the texture sprayed on the walls. I had the painters set up 2 sheets of wall board and random;y sprayed. She selected the random she liked
Wife did not understand managing relationships between crafts, and scheduled a bunch of furniture before trim guys were complete.
Hold on to the money. Most of materials I paid for directly with the supplier. Before start of subs we agreed to a progress payment schedule that had weekly fridays payments in cash. Sub contractors get stiffed all the time and the will appreciate the reliable payment.
Fluent Spanish helps. Fried chicken and beer to the crew on Fridays helps a lot.
When evaluating framing contractors, take a look at there trash pile for wasting good materials.
Last thought, As the job completes, turn loose the contractors, and hire a handy man to pick up the loose ends
Wife wanted to select the texture sprayed on the walls. I had the painters set up 2 sheets of wall board and random;y sprayed. She selected the random she liked
Wife did not understand managing relationships between crafts, and scheduled a bunch of furniture before trim guys were complete.
Hold on to the money. Most of materials I paid for directly with the supplier. Before start of subs we agreed to a progress payment schedule that had weekly fridays payments in cash. Sub contractors get stiffed all the time and the will appreciate the reliable payment.
Fluent Spanish helps. Fried chicken and beer to the crew on Fridays helps a lot.
When evaluating framing contractors, take a look at there trash pile for wasting good materials.
Last thought, As the job completes, turn loose the contractors, and hire a handy man to pick up the loose ends
This post was edited on 2/18/25 at 9:50 pm
Posted on 2/18/25 at 9:52 pm to Tigertracks23
You can honestly do material takeoff yourself. It’s isn’t hard. Do 10% overage for budget purposes. I know it feels overwhelming, but some of the biggest idiots I know “build” homes. Do your own take offs, know your subs, and ensure your inspections are on point and aren’t influenced by anyone in the build. Also, have a construction attorney on retainer that can send a nasty letter.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 4:50 am to iwyLSUiwy
quote:
The subs will do the work, but you are going to be on the backburner to their builders and also get the lowest quality work because they don't have the oversight and know they won't ever have to come back to that house to right a wrong.
You will have to go behind the subs and inspect the work. I mean everything. You will have to know what you are looking for as well, plumbing connections, drains, electrical, lines are straight, and proper measurements. Hiring the subs you don't know and will never see again can be a recipe for disaster.
There’s a reason people hire professionals who have insurance, a reputation, and accountability.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:13 am to Trevaylin
Ha I didnt realize this thread was so old. Hopefully the job turned out good for OP
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:34 am to Lsupimp
quote:
Just give it to your subs, add 150k, a river of tears and a mountain of frustration and you should be in the ballpark.
I don’t understand yall. Subbing out a house build is really quite simple. You’re looking for people to do the work instead of going to a local mom and pop hardware store and talking to the owners. They already know the best path. Just ask them who to use and they can give you a material price by looking at your plans.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:38 am to Tigertracks23
Let me guess, you want to tell the GC which subs to hire too and then be the first to claim shitty work on the GC.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:43 am to Gee Grenouille
It's not that simple. Like many other people on here already said, if you don't know the subs and give them work, you will be put on the back burner. Theyll use the cheapest products and push them past you because you don't know what to look for. paying cost plus with a GC and then doing it yourself usually equals the same if you build yourself. The MEP's are going to charge you more if you're not a GC. Get all the bids you want and go with the cheapest sub sounds good, but the cheapest guys will screw you. The headache of doing it yourself isn't worth it. There's a lot to think of you will miss because you don't do it day in and day out. If they don't carry liability and mess up, you're out of money. If they dont carry comp, you're responsible for their injury.
This post was edited on 2/19/25 at 7:44 am
Posted on 2/19/25 at 7:55 am to Tigertracks23
You can’t do a material take off but you want to gc your own home? Yeah, good luck with that.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:00 am to LSUsaintsfanla
quote:
It's not that simple. Like many other people on here already said, if you don't know the subs and give them work, you will be put on the back burner. Theyll use the cheapest products and push them past you because you don't know what to look for. paying cost plus with a GC and then doing it yourself usually equals the same if you build yourself. The MEP's are going to charge you more if you're not a GC. Get all the bids you want and go with the cheapest sub sounds good, but the cheapest guys will screw you. The headache of doing it yourself isn't worth it. There's a lot to think of you will miss because you don't do it day in and day out. If they don't carry liability and mess up, you're out of money. If they dont carry comp, you're responsible for their injury.
I guess it’s just a sign of the times and depends on where you are. I could make about 8 phone calls and have a quality house built subbing it myself and be done in 4-6 months, and no one would be charging me more and putting me on a back burner. But small town Washington parish does have its privileges.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:05 am to Tigertracks23
Do engineered trusses and get 85% of it that way.
Chief Architect imo is best for non experienced design and can also do some take offs.
Chief Architect imo is best for non experienced design and can also do some take offs.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:08 am to Gee Grenouille
I'm not trying to flame you but you can make these calls and get a better price than me as a GC and have them all done correctly to code? Never built in Washington parish so I don't know their inspectors
Survey
Engineer
Architect
Plumber
HVAC
Electrical
Framer
Roofer
Siding
Kitchen/Bath
Windows
Concrete
Finisher
Painter
Carpenter
Flooring
Survey
Engineer
Architect
Plumber
HVAC
Electrical
Framer
Roofer
Siding
Kitchen/Bath
Windows
Concrete
Finisher
Painter
Carpenter
Flooring
This post was edited on 2/19/25 at 8:09 am
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:09 am to Gee Grenouille
Your experiences is atypical, and I did the same in 2012. Times were slow, and I was able to get excellent subs that I knew.
I would never recommend this now, and I wouldn't do it again.
I would never recommend this now, and I wouldn't do it again.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:11 am to LSURoss
quote:
I can do take offs for ya.
I did for 11 years, mainly Structural Steel but also some home, including my own.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 8:23 am to Tigertracks23
Everyone that posts here lives in a dsld baw
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