I received some advice awhile back on getting started building homes instead of remodeling. One suggestion was to let my current customers know what I am looking to do. Well that worked too quick! I have a potential customer.
He has the house plans and is already preaproved for a home loan. I have a million questions. I don’t even know where to start. I guess I am just looking for some tips, tricks, steps, any advice you can give me would greatly be welcomed!!!
Thanks for your time!
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Replies
Here is what I need as resources:
Engineer
Surveyor
Excavating contractor
Foundation builder
Plumbing contractor
Heating contractor
Electrical contractor
Rough framing contractor
Insulation contractor
Roofer
Drywall contractor
Finish and trim contractor
Kitchen and cabinet supplier / contractor
Full-service pro lumberyard
Professional lighting supply house
etc., etc.
Don't forget Tylenol and Tums.
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
any good remodeler should be able to build a house.. the problem is trying to do it competitively..
make sure your customer understands that your training as a remodeler causes you to focus more on attention to detail than most new construction contractors..
for me... it means my customers will get a superior house... but they could get the same square foot for a lot less than they are going to get it from me..
for my customers, that's fine.. others might not know what they are getting into ... and when well-meaning friends start offering free advice... you may wind up with a disatisfied customer...
you sound pretty unsure of yourself in this new venture... what's your background ?
Training...
...hmm
Six years of remodeling/home repair. Four of those years I have been on my own learning from my mistakes and reading as much as I can about construction. Previous to that, Architectural Engineering School Flunkie. Learned a lot about framing in high school. Last two years, professional Firefighter doing remodeling/home repair on the side (approx. 30hrs a week). I have always had plenty of work, so I believe I do fine work, make my customers happy, and charge fairly. But self thought... oops, I mean self teaching.
I don't want to "swing a hammer every day" for the rest of my life. I still currently enjoy the physical work, but that won't last for ever. That is why I am looking into building
g.....
an opportunity to build a house is a great thing.. go for it..
but.. i wouldn't fall in love with new construction...not unless you can somehow follow on with more customers who want a custom home... and the competition for those customres is awesomw..
there is a lot more money to be made in remodeling
but, hey, whadda i no ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
there is a lot more money to be made in remodeling
I beg to differ Mike.
Some of the relatively average builders that I've framed for will stand up a lot of houses each year. For instance, I worked for a small builder that routinely built 50 house per year. He had one superintendent and two laborers and a coupla office ladies. His stated goal was to never get out of his car when he drove through the sub.
Then there are the bigger guys....building 500 per year. I dont' even meet them.
I've known lots of guys that just stand up ten or so. At 30 to 70k per pop, they're doing OK...especially with NO EMPLOYEES!
I don't know many remodelers that can juggle more than one or two jobs at a time. The logistics skyrocket....every job is another adventure. Contrast that to the builder who stuffs his plans in the drawer and occasionally sells the same house all over again.
You'll have a hard time convincing me that remodeler make more money. They might be more attached to their work. Then again, they might not.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
any chance of "partnering up" with a more experienced ... and very trusted ... builder?
if no one off the top of your mind ... I'd suggest checking around at the local small biz associations. There's a coupla around here that offer advice for all sorta of businesses ... retired guys giving back. Maybe you could get lucky and find a building "mentor".
I've only remodeled ... haven't "built" ... but to my eyes it's still some walls and a roof. If I found a customer that was willing ... I'd jump into the deep end.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
If I found a customer that was willing ... I'd jump into the deep end.
Jeff, building new is ten times easier than remodeling.
The reason you won't find a customer willing is because you aren't looking. As soon as you start looking, you'll have your customer...guaranteed!
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Jeff, building new is ten times easier than remodeling.
I'd like to see you justify that Blue.
I mean, I know you are overstating the facts, but still.........
It's apples and oranges to me.
You can muddle a remodel.
Show a remodeler a peice of dirt and tell him to build a house.
Likely pee in his pants.
I've been both places, got lotsa t shirts.
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
You can muddle a remodel.
Exactly. Remodeling is muddleing!
Building new, you create your own problems, or do it right the first time. Remodeling, you walk into hidden problems created by muddlers, then fixed by shysters, then sold, them remuddled.
I guess the statement needs some qualifying. Lets compare a 3300 sf addition being added onto a 2500 sf house, to a 3300 sf new house being built on a vacant lot.
I think it pretty obvious that the new build is a lot easier to build, given the same sets of zoning issues. All the same trades are going to have to come in, but for the most part, they not only will have to install the same materials, but also have to merge them into the old system. Additionally, there will often be onsite improvements that make access difficult on the addition....then noise and neighbors come into play..parking, storage of materials....and on, and on, and on.
I wouldn't do a remodel job...
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!