Question:
>hi, >any opinions on whether to buy or build a house ? >is building cheaper if one subcontracts different >jobs to different people? >Any opinions on modular homes vs non-modular? >(in terms of quality, resellability, price, ..) >thanks.
I’d buy the ground, find a dependable, experienced general contractor with a demonstrated record of excellence, and watch the house go up. You probably don’t know the subcontractors (carpenters, masons, electricians, drywall, plumbers, flooring, excavators, cabinets, appliances) well enough to make a good judgement on who to hire. If you could, you’d probably be a general contractor. They also have a line on the supplies that you don’t have – an additional cost savings. Also, the GC has the time to be there when the subs need him. You probably don’t. I do know someone who acted as his own general contractor with great results. But it’s a big job. One more thing – you need to convince the bank that you are the best person to act as your general contractor. Otherwise, they won’t give you the money. Does this sound like hard work? GC’s really do earn their living. We found a GC that we could trust and paid close attention to the progress. I’m very happy with the results. Jack Jack Sanders My Opinions, Not Neccessarily the Management’s
Response:
hi, any opinions on whether to buy or build a house ? is building cheaper if one subcontracts different jobs to different people? Any opinions on modular homes vs non-modular? (in terms of quality, resellability, price, ..) thanks.
Response:
Although the quality of modular home options have gone up, I would personally steer away from it. After all, if I were investing money in building my own home, I’d want to have options outside of the standard package options offered by the modular home group. Incidentally, I did look at a modular home option when I was house-hunting (what the salesman called, "a house in a box"). They had several package levels you could choose from (which basically dictated the trim level you had in the house — pure wood cabinets, versus pressed wood, etc.). They were not too bad price-wise and convenience wise; however, the limited flexibility is what deterred me. Plus don’t forget to add land cost on top of the package cost when pricing your options. As far as resale, no one will know that the package was a modular package versus custom built, unless you (the seller) offers this information.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->hi, >any opinions on whether to buy or build a house ? >is building cheaper if one subcontracts different >jobs to different people? >Any opinions on modular homes vs non-modular? >(in terms of quality, resellability, price, ..) >thanks.
Response:
>hi, >any opinions on whether to buy or build a house ? >is building cheaper if one subcontracts different >jobs to different people?
if you sub it out yourself, it would be a few percent cheaper IF YOU KNEW WHAT YOU WERE DOING. you will have to do all the coordination yourself and if you have to ask what this entails, you should not be doing it. also, price advantages are often exaggerated: you a one-timer will not have the knowledge nor volume of business to offer to get the best prices and service from the highest quality subs. yes a general contractor marks up for overhead & profit, but if you don’t know what you are doing it is worth it. like a motor-head could buy different car parts here and there and then get another person to install them, but mostly the average joe/jane goes to a reputable shop where one stop does it all and one entity to complain to if there is a problem….. with a degree in architecture plus experience as a project engineer on construction jobs, i’ve been my own g.c. several times, but it is not for the inexperienced, IMHO. and on my last house, i used a general contractor; i didn’t have the time to be on the case all day every day getting everything lined up. i was glad to pay them to do it, and then i could just bitch at one person if there was any delay or glitch. -v.
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