Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 20, 1999 07:09am | #1

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   I just finished my first spec house. After building custom houses many aspects were nice. I did not have to worry about the customer changing their mind (after installing something) and the other problems with custom homes. I did however have to worry about what colors to use, etc. I always put up what the client wants on a custom home and never really cared how it looked as long as they were happy. Being a hands on carpenter I added about 5K dollars to my profit margin on the spec house because I worked with my crew. Many of the spec builders in my area dont have a clue when it comes to hands on work. They make their money by using the cheapest subs and materials. The results are usually poorly built houses. I received a lot of compliments on my house and also got a couple more jobs from folks looking at it. I was able to build of a higher quality and put a lot of amenities in it by using my own labor and crew to do most of the work. good luck.

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 21, 1999 06:36am | #2

   *CyberGreg,You're not nuts......Many people have done the "spec" thing and lived.I want to be one to wish you the best of luck.My advice would be to keep the houses somewhat simple but with an interesting floor plan. Don't do any "creative" decorating. No bold colors or weirdness that might be considered artsy. Give the people a good solid house that can be their own palette. Ed. Williams

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 21, 1999 07:00am | #3

   *I have no experience in this at all, but it seems to me that the whole key to success lies in the selling of the house. If I was going into this, I would show the lot, the house design, and the expected price to an experienced realtor in the area and ask if it works.Rich Beckman

2. 
   cybergreg | Oct 21, 1999 08:58pm | #4

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   Guys

   Thanks for weighing in. I do feel I have it pretty well thought out. I am putting together a pretty comprehensive business plan, outlining philosophy towards craftsmanship, the need for team effort amoungst all the particulars and the need for a good three way partnership between me, the money guy and the realtor, etc. As this is also my home town, I am also making a big effort to get involved in the building process of my community, a key part to my long term strategy. And yes, keep it simple.

   I suppose Iam battling the fear factor more than anything, the jump from carpenter to builder isn't insignificant. I'ver managed plenty of projects before but...

   Anyway, thank again. It's plenty reassuring knowing there's people like you, out there in cyberspace, that are in my corner.

   Thankfully yours, cybergreg

3. 
   cybergreg | Oct 21, 1999 08:58pm | #5

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   I'm dipping into the vast reservoir of homebuilding knowledge that exists beyond my computer screen for the first time so...Hi! folks, I welcome you to my world, I hope you welcome me to yours.

   After twenty years of poking away at making myself a damn fine carpenter, I have decided to switch gears here somewhat and start up a business as a spec homebuilder. The region that I live in is artificially depressed due to bad government (one hour from Vancouver, Canada)so as far as growth potential, there is plenty.

   My belief that, in this era of disposable everything and slapped up sub-divisions, if you build a high quality home (not to be confused with high budget), they will come. I love what I do and I believe building spec homes is the best way to exercise that love.

   Am I nuts or am I on solid ground here? Or should I say footings?