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Previous Owner-Builder Survey
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Did you have any problems getting your building permit?| No problems as an owner-builder | | 78.85% (82/104) | | Big problems because I was an owner-builder | | 2.88% (3/104) | | Other | | 18.27% (19/104) |
Click to expand...Mike in Bonham, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderTerry in Santa Rosa, CA said: No problems as an owner-builderFred in Kingston, Ontario said: No problems as an owner-builderJim in Gatesville, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderDennis in Portland, OR said: OtherSteve in Colorado Springs, CO said: No problems as an owner-builderBrooke in Burley, ID said: No problems as an owner-builderRoss in Hillsboro, OR said: OtherGail in Cupertino, CA said: No problems as an owner-builderJeff in Hartland, WI said: No problems as an owner-builderSteve in Cramerton, NC said: OtherDell in DeLand, FL said: Big problems because I was an owner-builderLarry in DESOTO, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderDorothy A. in Wimberley, TX said: OtherLTanya in Virginia Beach, VA said: No problems as an owner-builderBob in Ennis, TX said: OtherMichael in Garland, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderJere in Ray Twp., MI said: No problems as an owner-builderJack in Trumann, AR said: No problems as an owner-builderDavid in Chelsea, AL said: OtherFaye in Marseilles, IL said: No problems as an owner-builderMike in Marion, OH said: No problems as an owner-builderBrett in Logan, UT said: No problems as an owner-builderOleg in San Diego, CA said: No problems as an owner-builderLinda in Fresno, CA said: OtherCarol in Bellingham, WA said: No problems as an owner-builderMatt in Highland, IL said: No problems as an owner-builderAaron in Bonsall, CA said: OtherDana in Wilmington, NC said: No problems as an owner-builderEFRAIN in DEL RIO, TX said: No problems as an owner-buildersue in carson, WA said: No problems as an owner-builderGrant in Jacksonville, AL said: No problems as an owner-builderSam in Cedar Park, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderdaniel in sonoma, CA said: OtherBrock in Walla Walla, WA said: No problems as an owner-builderB in Munford, TN said: No problems as an owner-builderPat in Round Rock, TX said: No problems as an owner-buildersteve in anthem, AZ said: No problems as an owner-builderMat in Rome, NY said: No problems as an owner-builderVictor in Ruckersville, VA said: No problems as an owner-builderEvan in Middleville, MI said: No problems as an owner-builderDayna in Riverton, UT said: No problems as an owner-builderGordon in Elkmont, AL said: OtherJohn in Andrews, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderEric in seaville, NJ said: No problems as an owner-builderJohn in Lake City, FL said: No problems as an owner-builderBarbara in Wilton, NH said: No problems as an owner-builderDave in Boerne, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderMichael in Huntsville, AL said: OtherBrandon in Lafayette, LA said: No problems as an owner-builderDaniel in San Antonio, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderKen in Orangevale, CA said: OtherRoger in Petoskey, MI said: No problems as an owner-buildered in albuquerque, NM said: No problems as an owner-builderBryan in Franklin, TN said: No problems as an owner-builderJohn in Port Republic, MD said: OtherChris in East Hartland, CT said: No problems as an owner-builderKenneth in Lees Summit, MO said: No problems as an owner-builderMark in Holualoa, HI said: OtherJim in Kaneohe, HI said: No problems as an owner-builderdavid in anchorage, AK said: No problems as an owner-builderray in richmond hill, GA said: No problems as an owner-builderTony in Memphis, TN said: No problems as an owner-builderToby in Abita Springs, LA said: No problems as an owner-builderEllen in Orlando, FL said: No problems as an owner-builderPenn in Pittsboro, NC said: No problems as an owner-builderdan in Austin, TX said: OtherBrian in South Burlington, VT said: No problems as an owner-builderRobert in Fishing Creek, MD said: No problems as an owner-builderJohanus in Edmonton, AB said: No problems as an owner-builderGabriel in Canyon Lake, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderDarryl in Hampton, VA said: No problems as an owner-builderHolly in Houston, TX said: OtherMartin in Orem, UT said: OtherTerry in Phoenix / Oracle, AZ said: No problems as an owner-builderPhil in Peoria, AZ said: No problems as an owner-builderEric in Roanoke, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderBryan in San Jose, CA said: OtherBrian in Manvel, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderJedda in Brighton, ON said: No problems as an owner-builderCraig in Green Bay, WI said: No problems as an owner-builderKarl in Reno, NV said: No problems as an owner-builderdefinitely in hampton, VA said: No problems as an owner-builderAimee in Kalamazoo, MI said: No problems as an owner-builderDrue in Henderson, NV said: No problems as an owner-builderTheo in Austin, TX said: No problems as an owner-builderLori in Reno, NV said: No problems as an owner-builderDanny in Sparta, IL said: No problems as an owner-builderBrian in Dome-ville, central, FL said: No problems as an owner-builderDan in ATLANTA, GA said: No problems as an owner-builderJeff in Provo, UT said: No problems as an owner-builderJuan in Knoxville, TN said: No problems as an owner-builderRichard in malabar, FL said: No problems as an owner-builderMax in OKC, OK said: No problems as an owner-builderSybil in Leominster, MA said: No problems as an owner-builderKarlie in Ogden, UT said: No problems as an owner-builderRalph in Nashua, NH said: Big problems because I was an owner-builderArnold in Colorado Springs, CO said: No problems as an owner-builderTom in Stroudsburg, PA said: OtherKathlyn in Orlando, FL said: Big problems because I was an owner-builderJohn in Erie, CO said: No problems as an owner-builderMark in Provo, UT said: No problems as an owner-builderEddie in Phoenix, AZ said: No problems as an owner-builder
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Latest 5-Star Post
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You can move a post to the front page simply by voting! Yes, I can see your point and that of the title companies. I just thought they would accept it based on the face it was suggested to me by the TRCC themselves and a broker that I've been in contact with that has done it himself.
I did want to pass along some information I've gathered since my last posting. Here are a couple of websites that offer home warranties for builders:
Residential Warranty Corporation - rwcwarranty.com
Strucsure - strucsure.com *I've already talked to Sherr
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Jeff in Paris, TX
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Previous Owner-Builder Survey
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What are the qualifications to be a good O-B?
Terry in Santa Rosa, CA said: Must have a good sense of construction and the various trades.
Jim in Williamston, NC said: Perseverance-planning
Fred in Kingston, Ontario said: Clear Thinking Problem Splving Abilities, level headed, calm and fair.
Brooke in Burley, ID said: Determination, patience, thinking outside the box, optimism, flexibility
Ross in Hillsboro, OR said: Patience. Good Record keeping. Planning Planning. Patience.
Gail in Cupertino, CA said: patience and a sense of humor and a willingness to spend time learning before you do
Mike in Bonham, TX said: Make time to do the planning, supervision, understand the trades and relationships of each job to the other.
Jeff in Hartland, WI said: Planning ability
Jack in Trumann, AR said: I don't know that I was a good O-B so I'm not sure my opinion should hold much weight. But I guess I'd say lots of planning, patience and common sense. You also need to be able to get along with people and be tactful because subs can screw you over pretty easily if you make them mad. Obviously, you need to be well organized too. No doubt you can get the job done without these attributes but you're probably going to have a hard time of it and your personal relationships are likely to suffer.
Mike in Bronx, NY said: Be able to handle pressure. Muti taks is a major deal and have a cell phone and computer all the time.
LTanya in Virginia Beach, VA said: Keep your eyes wide open, doe the research and understand exactly what those architectural plans mean in plain english. Pay attention, close attention to details not matter how small.
Faye in Marseilles, IL said: Be willing and able to do tons of research
Be able to make quick decisions and be willing to compromise
Be ready to roll up your sleeves and work
Know what you want and what you can live without
Negotiation skills
Mike in Marion, OH said: The ability to read. Educate yourself on the terms of the trade. And a good work ethic.
Jamie in Cedar Park, TX said: time, knowledge and ability to negotiate
Bret in Rhome, TX said: persistance, cash flow, able to visualize the finished product.
Gregory in New Braunfels, TX said: 1. Attention to Detail
2. Be extremely well versed on "The Plan" end-to-end
3. Stay ahead of the Project, always anticipating (looking ahead) for the next step to ensure all components and phase will fit as planned
4. Understand the work enough to be prepared to challenge Subs for better efficiency and lower cost.
Brock in Walla Walla, WA said: Organization, perseverence, and good communication with spouse. I build she decorates, picks colors, designs window treatment and landscaping
Pat in Round Rock, TX said: Proper Planing Prevents Piss Pour Performance!
steve in anthem, AZ said: The sub contractors can make or break you. Get subs that are low priced but have a large enough fleet to show up when you need them. Be very clear on exactly what the sub will supply and do for the money that you have agreed to. You must be at the job site at least once per day and you must schedule about 2 weeks out.
Brian in Dexter, MI said: patience, project management, bargain shopping
Dayna in Riverton, UT said: Willingness to learn and ask questions, tons of questions. It helps to know what you want when it comes to cosmetic features and have agreements made with your significant other prior to the start of construction to avoid unnecessary fights (there are plenty that will come up in other areas). Have as many bids as you can prior to starting construction and add at least 10-20% extra for changes you may make along the way. Everyone goes at least a little over budget.
Roger in Petoskey, MI said: Good communication skills
Have to be little anal
Ken in Orangevale, CA said: I am glad I know how to do most of the work and that I am a good negotiator. Patience is definitely a virtue. Being organized is a requirement, and having an understanding partner (my wife) was a critical part of success.
John in Port Republic, MD said: Commitment
dedication
make a decision
be organized
Do your homework before you build.
I think that the 1000 hours is too little time to get things planned before you build. Planning is the key to sucess. we lived with our floor plan for 2 years and still made changes!
run it like a business
keep good records and a calender.
if your spouse is involved, both be on the same page
and most of all, be willing to compromise. Things happen and changes do occur.
Kenneth in Lees Summit, MO said: Good organization. You hire and subcontract what you don't know. If you don't know anything about residential construction, you hire an independent inspector. This is no different than hiring an excavator, framer, electrician, HVAC tech, plumber, or any other trade. If you can keep it all organized, communication between the trades, you will save money.\
Problem solving skills. When problems happen, most people ask why and who is to blame, and therefore who should pay for it. This takes time and is counterproductive, you should be looking for solutions first. You can sort out who pays for it later, you need a solution today.
For example, what happens when your plumbing supply warehouse (who you were just getting ready to put in your order) burns completely to the ground? They are no longer interested in new orders, in fact will not accept them, which means you need a new supplier, and fast because your plumber is coming next week.
ray in richmond hill, GA said: a little building trade knowledge, a lot of management skill
Penn in Pittsboro, NC said: Paitience, organization and attention to detail, knowing what you want and the ability to communicate it to subs, flexiable time schedule
Brian in South Burlington, VT said: Lot's of vacation time!!!
understand the building process before you break ground.
CONTRACTS!!!!!
Brian in Manvel, TX said: Patience
Don't sweat the small stuff- if it's not in concrete, it can be changed
Some building knowledge would go a long way in not getting shafted by a trade
John in Bonne Terre, MO said: Get lots and lots of information. Take your time and make decisions based on your needs and desires. Shop hard.
Jedda in Brighton, ON said: You have to be able to force yourself to do the work even after it stops being fun.
Craig in Green Bay, WI said: PLAN PLAN PLAN PLAN
STUDY STUDY STUDY ( your info was the best I've found thanks)
Plan somemore
Using your tools helped (contracts spread sheets ect...)
study planning timelines
Lori in Reno, NV said: Organizational skills and patience.
Karl in Reno, NV said: Detailist, not Generalist
definitely in hampton, VA said: knowledge of the trades you plan on doing your self and then have basic knowledge of what you sub out
Aimee in Kalamazoo, MI said: organized, interested in building, good communication,
Aimee in Kalamazoo, MI said: motivated, well-organized, enjoy building process, assertive, good communication
Bob in Deltona, FL said: RESEARCH
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
HAVE THE TIME TO INVEST
Richard in malabar, FL said: Common sense, and an engineering background.
Max in OKC, OK said: Be able to require quality work or have someone who can - wife manages well unless needed to be firm, then husband had to step in - persistent as a bulldog
Jeff in Provo, UT said: Planning and more planning.
Phillip in Fayetteville, GA said: Passion and attention to details.
Kathlyn in Orlando, FL said: Organized, disciplined.
Backbone.
Careful. Don't proceed till you understand.
Kari in Colbert, WA said: good with money and a lot of persistence and self discipline.
Mary in Yuma, AZ said: Patience. Willingness to put the time in to planning and organization. Ability to deal with the subs who are often a pain in the &%#^ without aggravating them to the point that you go to the bottom of the list. Be confrontational without being a jerk.
Most important, be able to pay the subs in a timely manner. Of course, when you are satisfied with their performance.
Mark in Provo, UT said: Resourceful and organized. Able to communicate. Plan-ahead. Attention to details. Presence at job site during construction.
Richard in Sequim, WA said: Systems engineering background ("hands-on" engineer)
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Latest Post
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Melissa,My home is fairly traditional construction.. We're stick and brick with 2x4 walls in most circumstances. My home is fairly "traditional" in terms of construction, with a few differences:1) We heat/cool only 3/4 of the home. The rest is a "guest" area that is isolated an on it's own HVAC.2) We use solar water with a back-up.3) We're foam insulated.To answer your questions:Yes, I like foam insulation just fine. Ours is basic open cell foam. No out gassing that I'm a
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dcg in Lago Vista, TX
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Latest Journal Entry
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I had posted a while back about the problems with an existing farm terrace on our property. After considering our options over the winter we decided to eliminate the terrace on our property by re-grading the farm field. In early spring ask the Conservation District out to our site to review our plan to keep it all on the up and up. After some discussion, they provided their blessings on our plan.
I also got an estimate from the excavator to include the farm terrace work in our site work
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Mary
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Construction Bargain Strategies
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104. Buy From a Freight Liquidator
With thousands of items going into your new house, it's possible you may be able to get steep discounts on high value items from a freight liquidator. A Google search turned up freight, customs, and furniture liquidators. In some instances you can get on an email list specifying the types of materials you are seeking and be advised of goods as they become available. Search on the Web for "liquidator" or "liquidation", or unclaimed freight.
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Thought from the Book
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You are in a uniquely opportune position to get a property tax
adjustment as an owner-builder, and it can be a big savings. My evidence
before the Board of Equalization was that my home cost less to build
than they assessed it for. They accepted that argument along with my
statement about costs. I interviewed assessors in several locations
around the United States and they all acknowledged that receipts for
construction costs would be considered good evidence for adjustment.
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How Do You Learn?
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by Mark A. Smith
When you plan to build a house, there are many things you could learn
that will save effort and money and create more quality, convenience, and
value.
The trouble is, most of us forget the things we learn. There is a theory
called the "Half-Life of Human Knowledge" that says we forget half of what we
learn in a day, half again in a week, half in a month, and we have only 2%
left at the end of a year. As my high school French teacher explained it,
"Then it's a question of whose 2% is bigger."
In an Owner-Builder Workshop session, we challenged our students
who had read our book to recall the "Ten Commandments of Owner
Builders," the most important money-saving principles we know on the
subject. Half the class could recall one commandment out of ten. Three
people knew two, and one person could recall three of the
commandments.
Management guru Peter Drucker said, "When you get a new boss, first
decide how he or she likes to communicate. Some prefer written
communication, some prefer face to face." You may be like that. Some
learn well by reading, and should read everything they can before
building. Some learn best by listening and can benefit from audiotapes
or disks. Some learn best visually and should watch lots of videos on the
subject.
According to Confucius, whoever we are, we learn best by doing. "I
hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand." Unfortunately, by the
time you "do" a house, it will be too late to take advantage of your learning
for that house. And you'll learn plenty.
Elaine and I have tried to take advantage of all the above in preparing
for our next building project. We read copiously, search the Web, listen to
tapes, and watch videos. In addition, we help others who are building,
which consolidates our learning. You might make a friend by helping
another owner-builder or by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, for
example. It all helps grow your 2%.
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