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I may have future ?? about building a new home what board do I ask my ?? on?
Thanks!

Right here would be just dandy.

quote:

Originally posted by Jewel:
Right here would be just dandy.

I agree ~ you found the right board! Looking forward to seeing your posts...

Thanks so much!

I need advice from selecting home builders to the last nail in the house lol lol.

We have a builder in mind but would still like to know how to get bids from others. How much input does a builder get in the whole process and how much input does the home owner get?

The builder has the plans is that right but what if we don't like them ?
Thanks!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: perplexed,

You can have plans that you found on your own, you can get an architect to draw up custom plans, you can use a builder's stock plans, or you can use a builder's plans that you can modify. The choice is yours. If you can afford an architect he/she can walk you through the process and keep tabs on the building.

If you find a reputable builder with a plan that you like, see if you can make any changes to make it exactly what you want. If you want to comparison shop you might need to do the same thing with a few builders. I would go to several builders to see their plans ( they may even be online).

A builder who does only custom homes may be more pricey.

remember you can also go modular build and great thing it is built in a dry factory with little waste and no over run in price .Mine is 2x6 studs and 12 inch floor joists with a steel frame under it to stiffen floors and 2440 sq. ft. 4 bathrooms and master suite has his and hers bathrooms and closets .They now build green .Price of mine with triple glazed windows and 2 sets of sliding glass doors and all the windows are 74 inches tall and 36 inches wide.I had rock salt insulation put it because it is fire proof and mold proof and total cost was 89 thousand finished with appliances and was built by norris homes modular .I like they do not waste wood like they would in a build sight and also I know my floors and walls were not getting wet during the build ,no mold .Took 2 large cranes to set it on the basement .

Thanks so much, I never thought of modular. What is difference in safety ? I mean in case of a tornado. When I think modular I think of a mobile home.

No we cannot use a architect way too pricy. Keep all the ideas coming and I thank you.

a modular is built to hurricane standards and is not a single wide or double wide .Not built at all like them .If I wanted i could add dormers to my attic an double the size of my home and use the basement and triple my home .I am retired and I used clayton homes to get to norris homes so I could design my own home .They have a websight you can go on to look at models.I wanted a large one story house and wanted it handicap accessable for my use in the future .I am retired so wanted something like a forever home .I wanted it all I have a large front porch added after and 2 large decks .I have a 15x30 kitchen and master bedroom is 31x 19 and laundry room is 10x 12 and great room is 30 by 19 and extra bedrooms are 15x20 and 15x 15 and have 2 pantries in the kitchen .I got a discount for paying cash for my home and also 500 dollars from clayton homes and left he flooring out because I wanted a certain kind of flooring that they did not offer .All stainless appliances included also

My house is all tied down to the basement and comes with hurricane tie downs standard and I wanted it on frame as it makes the interior floors stiffer and you can jump and not get any flex or bounce .I bought my home in 2004 and would never go back .I am one happy customer and norris homes even has pics of my home .It came all one price no extras except for my flooring .All electrical is included with set up and cranes are included in cost also .I paid an extra 20 thousand for the basement and windows and insulated slab and walls and retrofitted already with plumbing pipes for septic tank .220 electric is standard and heating and air conditioning and hot water tank comes with the house also .Also fireplace came with mine and was brought to the sight and a 7 weeks later was ready to move in and got all my wishes with this house in one neat package .

forgot there are pics on rate my space the house it is called splendors gate and lot was 3 acres 15 thousand dollars septic was 15 hundred well was 27 hundred here and not sure where you live or lots .All light fixtures and bathroom fixtures and full kitchen included .It sure is not a a single wide home .All doors are 36 inches wide and 80 inches tall .All my windows are triple glazed .If a house can go down a highway at 55 miles an hour not much will harm it .

We have built before and are in the process of building again...I can share experiences.

The party footing the bill has 100% input, IMHO. That said, everything does come at a price.

Little concerned about your statement that you can't afford an architect. Sure you can afford not having an architect? How about a real estate attorney to review the contracts? Other professionals, if necessary? They may save you **$ even if you opt to use the builder's standard plans.

Very important to have an adequate contingency budget to cover any unanticipated expenses. Plus, new homes mean moving expenses, new furniture, window coverings and more ...

Good Luck!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BearCat49,

go to a building sight of houses and see how they are building ,look around at waste material and if works is on time and how much over runs cost you .I see sights here the builder is building and all you see is piles of wasted wood and then you see them light it on fire to burn it .That cost money .Builders waste way to much and seem not to care and if the job sight is messy and looks disorganized I would assume the builder does not care if he waste your money .I knew what I was paying before my house was built and there cannot be no over runs .It is locked in .There are lots of things to consider with a builder .Scary and exciting at the same time .I got my floor plans and changed everything I wanted to and made it bigger

quote:

Originally posted by BearCat49:
The party footing the bill has 100% input, IMHO. That said, everything does come at a price.

Little concerned about your statement that you can't afford an architect. Sure you can afford not having an architect? How about a real estate attorney to review the contracts? Other professionals, if necessary? They may save you **$ even if you opt to use the builder's standard plans.

Very important to have an adequate contingency budget to cover any unanticipated expenses. Plus, new homes mean moving expenses, new furniture, window coverings and more ...

Good Luck!

Thanks for all the input all of which is helpful.

bearcat I understand all your saying and trust me I will have people looking out for us and and attorney on board. We know our limits and have people we can go too for answers. I am just trying to gain some knowledge on my own .

I don't like the idea of builders wasting my money and I will be telling them that if we choose this route.

We do plan ahead for moving and NEW items that must be bought for a new home.
Thanks so much!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: perplexed,

Glad to hear you'll bring in appropriate professionals, if and when necessary, and will plan for all the miscellaneous costs, Perplexed. BTW, hope my post didn't sound critical of you (or any other posters, for that matter). I definitely support anyone seeking knowledge and information, wherever they may find it.

We all do our best but approach these matters differently because of our unique backgrounds. We can't adequately address the specifics of your particular situation, IMHO. And, for many or most people, a home is the most significant purchase of their entire lives.

So, you haven't fully committed to building? It's a good idea (again, IMHO) to prepare a financial analysis of your options, including move-in ready homes, fixers, partial fixers and building from the ground up, depending on the availability in your area of various property types and your needs.

Good Luck!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BearCat49,

quote:

Originally posted by BearCat49:
Glad to hear you'll bring in appropriate professionals, if and when necessary, and will plan for all the miscellaneous costs, Perplexed. BTW, hope my post didn't sound critical of you (or any other posters, for that matter). I definitely support anyone seeking knowledge and information, wherever they may find it.

We all do our best but approach these matters differently because of our unique backgrounds. We can't adequately address the specifics of your particular situation, IMHO. And, for many or most people, a home is the most significant purchase of their entire lives.

So, you haven't fully committed to building? It's a good idea (again, IMHO) to prepare a financial analysis of your options, including move-in ready homes, fixers, partial fixers and building from the ground up, depending on the availability in your area of various property types and your needs.

Good Luck!

No you were not critical at all. We are weighing out all our options as you mentioned above,old verses new. Not much new here and if it is we don't need the space or the price tag that comes with the space.

The old here is really old over 34 years and with that comes old windows,old plumbing,old everything,been there done that with an older home

Thank you so much!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: perplexed,

wow LOL 34 for is old I must be really old .I guess you have lots of ideas to mull over .But remember have fun also and get everything that is most important now and you can add to it when the budget permits it .My first 2 houses were fixer uppers and learned a lot but it was not easy when you are on a budget .Things pop up and things break and you always need money on the side for that .Even new is not without it's risk ..Nothing has a 100% .But with appliances i always buy the extended warranty they just don't make them like they used to .

Beyond the issue of using pros and finding a good, reputable builder, do lots of research. Study house plans...lots and lots of house plans...being able to "read" blue prints and floor plans is very important. Trusting others to oversee your project is not in your best interest. The more you know about the process, the terminology, the materials and building codes the better. Knowledge is power. I'm not saying you need to become an expert but you do need to learn as much as you can before you jump in. The decisions you need to make will overwhelm you...your head will hurt! It's stressful, really REALLY stressful...and not for everyone, but building a house can be exciting and the most fun you'll ever have. I know.

Take your time and do your research. There are some fantastic modular homes builders who ship the home to you and you hire a builder to put it together for you. These homes look like there
were built from the ground up..spectacular.

It's all on the net..

I don't know what part of the country you are in and construction methods and standards vary widely across the country, even county to county.

If your area has a lot of new construction - visit new builds to see what is out there in your price range. Also look and see what you like and what you don't like.

If you decide to use one of the big builders it will be more difficult to make changes to their stock plans. Regional and local builders are more flexible. When you get to local builders you have to be more cautious - check them out based on their type of license, insurance, how long in business, record of complaints, etc.

As for an architect - unless you are building something unusual or not traditional for your area I really don't see a need. But if you do have something very special in mind - go with a pro and don't ask the builder to tweak his stock plans too much to meet your needs.

Once you choose a builder - and agree upon a plan - know that most of the time builder's allowances don't go far. Be prepared to pay extra on lighting, flooring, appliances, etc.

Be very certain you understand the contract. Once signed - the builder will be less willing to make changes along the way. If you decide you want a door moved it is not uncommon for a builder to charge a change fee.

Good luck and keep us posted on your journey.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Charming,

We have deciding to buy at this time. I thank all of you for insight.

Thanks for posting back with an up-date, perplexed! Keep us up-dated with your search as you go along. Good Luck!

Thank to all of you for taking the time to answer me.