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Journals
Name Visits Posts Pics Videos
QuarterlyHouse35,468136990
1/12/2009Orlando, FL
LittleLakeCorner35,4491006040
9/27/2008Groveland, FL
ICF-Keller-Tx29,543311220
8/22/2008Roanoke, TX
toolehouse24,915881440
1/15/2009Reno, NV
TheHoskensProject24,442571310
6/16/2009Melbourne, FL
WilliamsinVegas16,209301190
1/29/2009Henderson, NV
OwensNewHome15,353983790
5/21/2009Chandler, AZ
Octagonal-Topsider-i...15,1863320
2/5/2009Cupertino , CA
Homestead14,94963850
6/12/2009Smithville, MO
Working-Wilton13,547312840
4/23/2009Wilton, NH
DreamHome10,828261900
6/7/2009Orlando, FL
Beaver-Creek-Ranch10,018101490
12/18/2008Santa Rosa, CA
1860s-Texas-Rehab-Ne...9,796391780
5/15/2009Boerne, TX
Ann-Arbor-ICF9,142283700
9/1/2008Dexter, MI
tanglewood8,5261511032
6/26/2009Colorado Springs, CO
Arkansas-First-Timer5,83239880
3/27/2009Trumann, AR
CastleHeims5,52821590
6/5/2009cedar rapids, IA
Andel-Ranch5,313334020
12/17/2008Rogers, TX
Oregon-Airpark-Remod...5,14416360
3/10/2009Hillsboro, OR
crystal-falls-home5,05119260
1/14/2009cedar park, TX
Riley5,01131930
1/29/2009Cave Creek, AZ
Dennis-Dream-Home4,911364180
6/21/2009Readington Twp, NJ
VilanoBeachCasa-de-S...4,65034990
1/4/2009Saint Augustine, FL
Avenida-Del-Sol4,38613520
7/31/2008Peoria, AZ
The-Cortes-Adventure4,213320
6/13/2009Snowflake, AZ
RabbitRun4,197311690
1/11/2009Afton, VA
Raider-Bills-Tenn-Ho...4,0676320
12/22/2008Largo, FL
Victor--Susan-083,829211210
3/17/2009Ruckersville, VA
Dreamy-Design-in-Glo...3,808100
7/9/2008Clifton, VA
Seven-Peaks-Faswall-...3,615221400
5/19/2009Graeagle, CA
Hawaiian-Bungalo3,560111020
9/23/2008Holualoa, HI
3023,5227160
8/14/2008Belfair, WA
PahrumpProject3,4614390
4/14/2009Spokane, WA
Heart-of-PA3,3579160
1/6/2009Lewistown, PA
2008-Cedar-Ln2,99214350
9/19/2008seaville, NJ
Naperville-Webster-S...2,9362250
6/1/2009Naperville, IL
StansTLH2,7381090
11/1/2008Tehachapi, CA
steve-n-carolyn2,7143130
4/29/2009Sun City, CA
Schrammelot2,4946780
6/20/2009Pierson, FL
ArnoldCalifornia2,4641140
WednesdayPlaya del Rey, CA
Workshop2,350520
6/13/2009Florissant, CO
dmaceld2,29914880
9/16/2008Nampa, ID
SouthernEcoHome2,24818210
3/14/2009Jacksonville, AL
AlaskaICFREMOTEHouse2,20919380
8/17/2008Wasilla, AK
need-help-Jim2,080110
7/8/2008Bandon, OR
dream-home-ohio2,016600
7/30/2008zanesville, OH
Latest-update2,0078100
8/4/2008Sierra Vista, AZ
The-Ridges1,99911130
7/31/2008Logan, UT
SOPHIA--SAMUELDELAWA...1,97010270
9/28/2008Smyrna, DE
deltona-fl-custom-ho...1,9644140
7/6/2008deltona, FL
Eschete-Dome1,8599180
5/22/2009Lafayette, LA
Help-with-Goulds-and...1,815100
9/16/2008tampa, FL
threegables1,810191270
5/18/2009Waukesha, WI
Katabatic-Wind1,788470
10/16/2008Huntsville, AL
Penetang-Craftsman1,782360
7/27/2008Penetanguishene, ON
Krusehome1,759200
12/27/2008Lake City, FL
PhilesBryant1,747260
1/20/2009graham, WA
TheBeachHouse1,68912200
4/6/2009Shoreline, WA
Howard-Georgia-Retir...1,642670
11/9/2008Harlem, GA
NC-Pond-House1,620320
8/4/2008Wilmington, NC
Jon-and-Mollys-House1,578150
9/25/2008Ellicott City, MD
Castle-Rock-Lakehous...1,57710840
4/27/2009Necedah, WI
Proctor-ICF1,492110
9/25/2008Fredericksburg, VA
Pete--Rhiannon1,481430
9/19/2008Springfield, MO
Tristan--1,479600
7/25/2008Lebanon, NJ
ANDREA1,440400
8/2/2008Dallas, TX
MargaritaVilla1,433240
8/4/2008Raleigh, NC
Keener-Road1,4274100
3/11/2009Elizabethtown, PA
Elmhurst-Modern1,407120
10/14/2008elmhurst, IL
Kevin--Kerrys-Dream1,397350
10/17/2008Northvale, NJ
TheHouse2321,390320
2/11/2009Bronx, NY
Accessible-House1,3403100
10/14/2008Munford, TN
Cherry-Valley-Vista1,311120
10/5/2008Duvall, WA
BrunkHouseAlmaKansas1,261360
1/25/2009Garden Grove, CA
Thompson-Valley-Home1,236210
8/19/2008Monticello, FL
Consulting1,228100
9/2/2008Orlando, FL
Back-Home-In-Crisp1,196111510
3/22/2009Ennis, TX
Elijahs-Home1,172460
12/6/2008Vero Beach, FL
Where-to-start1,105610
5/16/2009Lemoore, CA
NorthPoleHome1,105270
3/9/2009Anchorage, AK
Littlewoods1,103200
12/1/2008Amite, LA
The-Woods-Journal1,055110
11/6/2008Doraville, GA
ranch-house957100
11/25/2008springfield, IL
High-over-Lake-Granb...8919180
1/28/2009Granbury, TX
Sonave-Sunsets885120
1/9/2009Yucca, AZ
Oleg679360
4/22/2009San Diego, CA
choanne831611100
2/9/2009charlotte, NC
MortgageSmart608100
1/19/2009Cocoa, FL
Techbuilt-Scammed564100
2/25/2009Rebew, LA
Small-Timber-Frame485110
4/2/2009Central Mass, MA
Shane468300
3/31/2009Mico, TX
MadisonGA4461130
2/26/2009Madison, GA
Rick-and-Tinas-dream...415120
3/14/2009Auburndale, FL
RR-Homestead39910220
6/22/2009Janesville, CA
EatonLoch-Haven378110
4/1/2009Roanoke, VA
NC-Newbie355100
3/10/2009Boone, NC
Huckleberry-Home326200
4/8/2009Williamstown, NJ
MoeCompound320340
4/9/2009Camano Island, WA
windowsnsiding310110
3/28/2009Long Island, NY
Vonk282100
4/7/2009Zeeland, MI
semiunskilled-manpow...237100
5/12/2009NEW DELHI/INDIA, AL
Hidden-Meadow-Home202160
5/20/2009Murrieta, CA
Utah-Warehouse186220
5/20/2009Fairview, UT
OurFarmstead150630
MondayLititz, PA
Steinys-Hideaway147200
6/9/2009venice, CA
mcneal147100
5/25/2009tomball, TX
Massive-Undertaking111700
MondayWimauma, FL
steelsipman103100
6/6/2009Kavala, FL
12YEARSINTHEPLANNING85120
6/16/2009LADSON, SC
PensacolaBeachHouse60110
6/22/2009Gulf Breeze, FL
Top Rated Posters
Lists
Name Items
Cabinets2
Faucets2
Georgia builders?2
Granite countertops2
House Features2
Initial thoughts2
next step9
Questions I need ans...3
To Do - Interior16
To Do Exterior7
Water / Sewer2
Home The Book Bookstore Forums Construction
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Mark Smith, Managing Editor
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webmaster@ownerbuilderbook.com
7/4/2009

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Mark's Video Blog
Video Blog - "Dime Saved is a Dollar Earned" Video Blog - Free Download Gallery

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Future Owner-Builder Survey

Do you plan to use any personal friends as subs?

None
 
37.06% (146/394)
One
 
18.53% (73/394)
Two
 
22.34% (88/394)
Three
 
11.17% (44/394)
Four
 
4.82% (19/394)
Five
 
3.05% (12/394)
Six
 
0.76% (3/394)
Seven
 
0.51% (2/394)
Eight
 
0.00% (0/394)
More than eight friends
 
1.78% (7/394)
Average: 1.57
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Latest 5-Star Post
You can move a post to the front page simply by voting!
We have a whopping 11,000 SF driveway planned at our new house.  This includes the circle driveway, with the approach drive being 16' wide by 425' long.  Our county requires a hard surface on the driveway, so you can't leave it just gravel or road base.  Asphalt bids were coming in at $50,000+ and of course everything else was up from there. I found two alternatives. One was to use polypavement.com which is a polymer mixed with your gravel and then compacted to a hard surface.&nb
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Pat in Playa del Rey, CA
Future Owner-Builder Survey

How many bathrooms are you planning on?

One-half
 
0.00% (0/395)
.5 - 1
 
0.51% (2/395)
1 - 2
 
8.35% (33/395)
2-3
 
43.54% (172/395)
3-4
 
30.63% (121/395)
4-5
 
12.66% (50/395)
More than five
 
4.30% (17/395)
Average: 3.12
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Latest Post
Mary ,     I ended up doing my own print with a draftsman because my home has anindoor pool and that is a very unique design to find . When I started checking into architects/designers several years ago - I thought they were quite high . Would you mind giving us an idea of what yours is charging you and how it is paid ? Is there a retainer upfront , paid by hour or square footage ?  I thinkmost people are very unfamiliar with this phase of planning and are unaware what costs should be . Thanks F
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Faye in Marseilles, IL
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Chris
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Construction Bargain Strategies
163. Out of Town Labor One advantage to choosing a subcontractor from out of town is that the sub will finish the work faster because they are not distracted by other local obligations in your area. Dan M. of Green River, Wyoming said, "Roofing guy locally wanted $60 a square labor only. My brother said he knew guys who were at $25 a square, and they buy the nails, (coming 375 miles from Gillette) and we offered to pay the Holiday Inn. But we told the local guy, and he did it for $30. Don't let geography interfere."
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Thought from the Book
The spreadsheet is a magical tool that I estimate will save you five percent on your project all by itself. It serves you as a project budgeting tool in the beginning, then a tracking tool on actual expenses, as well as a construction shopping tool that makes the implications of comparative bids and estimates become clear. The same benefit would apply to the use of an old fashioned paper spreadsheet with your numbers laid out in rows and columns.
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How Much Profit Do Builders Have in Their Houses?

by Mark A. Smith

The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home, written by a general contractor and a building consultant, says that builders make a 15% - 25% profit on each house they build. (See our Bookstore for book.) Our own survey of general contractors found a 14% average stated profit.

This would constitute a real opportunity for savings. If you could build for 20% off on a $200,000 house, you could save $40,000. Not bad tax-free money just for eliminating the middleman.

But it could be much more. When you eliminate the general contractor, you eliminate his profit AND his overhead. Together overhead and profit are called margin. In the retail world, it's called markup. Usually the overhead is a far bigger piece than the profit. Our niece does grocery store pricing and reports that a can of evaporated milk which sells for 69¢ costs the grocery store 15¢. (A markup of 450%) But grocery store profits are only 2% nationwide.

So how much is builder overhead? In our survey, general contractors reported an average of 28% overhead. This covers all the costs of doing business from equipment and taxes to salaries and insurance, etc. This, too is eliminated when you act as the contractor. At 15% for profit, and 25% for overhead, you now have 40% or $80,000 on a $200,000 house.

Now you're talking some serious money! But you must consider that you will have some "overhead" too, when you build, like some insurance costs. And you may be unable to match the direct costs for subs and materials that contractors pay.

But we think you can come close. If you buy smart, as taught by The Owner-Builder Book, and take advantage of unique bargains, you have a chance of spending even less on direct costs than an experienced general contractor. And what you save you get to keep.


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Owner-Builders Helped by The Owner-Builder Book


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Links from Forum Threads
WebsiteMentioned In
arit.comHVAC Suggestions
ownerbuilderbook.comOFF-GRID Solar System
buycabinets.comKitchen Questions - Euro Pre-fab?
alertdatainc.comKitchen Money Saving Strategies
solar.colorado.eduSIP construction
doityourselfgranite.comLouisiana Owner-builders
dreamhomesource.comPurchasing plans online
buildyourdreamllc.comLand - biggest bang for your buck?
michiganprestain.comlow/no maintenance siding options?

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