Anyone here ever build a new house?
 

I'm currently rebuilding my house after it burned down last year. Are there some things I should look out for with constructors ect?

I know that I have to get a good contract with the end date. And some basic stuff like that.

Thanks

Bo

I wish I could help Bo, I have only bought already existed houses. We will be building our own soon. I hope it goes well and someone else can give ou some advice! :thumbsup

I think you mean contractors.

Yea, one rule and one rule only. Ask him what he built in the past and
get the address and GO LOOK AT IT! Talk to the owners and ask "how was
this guy as a contractor?"

One other tip...if he says he can start right away then don't hire him.
If they are ready to go it means they don't have projects going. A good
contractor always has a few jobs going on, that's why they are busy.

From your end don't be a wishy-washy delay motherfucker. If they ask you
to make a choice on something (and there will be many choices) make up
your mind fast. If you fuck around with "I got to ask my wife" or "gee, I wonder
what would be a nice color...let's go ask 7 different paint guys etc etc etc"
then your the fucknut holding up the finish date.

GET IT ALL IN WRITING BEFORE THE JOB STARTS!! Finish dates...don't hold
them as law...give a builder a bit of extra time because there are always
unforeseen small delays.

I was thinking about building an old house.

It will end up costing at least 10% more than the contractor is telling you.Plan for it..

Guy next door built a modular home that came in 4 sections they used a crane to set it up (2 story) then they built a big porch on the front it is a nice house I think the cost was around 100k maybe a little more. Instant house.

Sorry girlie wish i knew something about building houses, but i dont...... good luck :)

We put in a final estimate (ie: start the paperwork process) for a house and land package in mid December 2003... we only got our building permit yesterday, over 5 months later. That's about the scope of things, a bunch of delays due to pure incompetence. One idiot from this company even sent our confidential legal documents to the wrong firm.

They're contracted to begin building within 21 days of the granting of the permit, so if they don't start by early next month then they are in breach of contract. I really hope it doesn't come to that.

I hope you don't run into this sort of shit, as others say make sure you get plenty of references. This is a large building company and we're building a standard house from their range, so a 5 month period between estimate and permit is absolutely ridiculous. :321GFY

I've seen those.. I wonder how durable they compared to a built from scratch in place type home. Anyone have any experience?

One other thing, make sure that the period that they have to complete the building within is realistic. You have to allow for weather and unexpected delays such as strikes or supplier issues. The last thing you want is for them to rush finishing it off because they're too close to the deadline.

Our house will be built over 3-4 months if there are no unexpected delays, but they have allocated themselves 6 months.

We have some harsh winters here on the top of a 3000 ft elev mountian and the house in now 6 years old still looks new. I think the beauty of it is everthing already done so even a moron could build it half right.

btw this is not a trailer:winkwink: it is a big house

Don't forget this advice! Aside from the due date, also state the terms of payment. Goodluck!

Find out if there is some sort of builders association in NL and see if they have a standard residential building contract that you can use. The specifics of your job (plans, fittings) are attached as an appendix. No reputable builder should have any objection to signing it.

I wish you good luck!

I did re-build my house after she was crashed in nato boombing of Yugoslavia back to 99'...sad days:(

A good analogy to this for webmasters would be the ol': Never eat out at a restaurant thats never busy. lol

make sure you ask for references

Yep. Took forever. It was a pain in the ass picking out everything from top to bottom like marble, woods, fixtures, etc. I'd never do it again. The contractors drive you batty with delays, excuses, things that weren't done to your specs, etc. Much easier to buy a house already to move right in.

http://www.internetmanagementservice...gfy/house2.jpg

http://www.internetmanagementservice...gfy/house3.jpg

http://www.internetmanagementservice...gfy/house1.jpg

http://www.internetmanagementservice.../calabasas.jpg

You call that a house!?

I can't build a house but I can certainly tell if the house is good enough or strong enough to outstand a storm.

make it sure to be more particular in the receipts given...yah know, for a clearer view of how everything works...

wow nice house man! :thumbsup

it's always been a dream of mine to build a house one day... you know when im rich and famous..

*dreams on*

Best advice I can give you is BE THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
Make frequent visits and pay close attention to the finishing of the house. Even the best contractors will take some shortcuts if your not paying attention.
If they get annoyed at your presence, tell them to :321GFY and find someone who will work WITH you.
If the contractor wont explain things for you and walk you through everything then they arent worth hiring.

Good gawd! :thumbsup

That's a bad ass house KRL :thumbsup :thumbsup

How any finished pics?

I would assume they are built better b/c of the closed environment.

Imagine GM came to your house and built your car in your driveway.:1orglaugh