Building a new home (or significant remodel) is usually the dream around the Bay Area, where most homes were built between the 1920’s and 1950’s. When people have saved enough money to get going, they typically engage an architect to do the design, get the engineering work done, and start working on the permit. It is difficult to get a price on the new construction (or significant remodel) until the engineering is done because most builders will tell you that they can’t quote it until they know what the structure looks like. Alternatively, they might give you a price per square foot but are vague on what that square footage applies to (Garage? Covered patios? Stair area?). When ultimately quoted, the resulting number typically ends up being much more than they wanted to spend or thought it would cost. When I hear how much builders are quoting for new construction and significant remodels, I’m happy that I can build my own houses. In addition to high costs, almost every person that I’ve spoken to who has built their own house (or significant remodel) with a builder/general contractor (GC) hates or wants to sue their builder by the end of the process.
Having built 4 houses, and working on my fifth now, I have learned a lot along the way. It gets easier, faster, and better every time, and I learn additional ways of saving costs each time. I built the last house in 6.5 months from start to finish (and during the rainiest season in 70 years) and for 40% of the price that I’ve heard builders recently quoting for houses with equally nice finishes and without cutting any corners. The keys are:
- Knowing how to design cost-effectively
- Finding and using good, licensed contractors and service providers who don’t have absurd margins
- Clear scopes with contractors
- Knowing what to do and when
- Mitigating change orders
- Good project management
- Knowing where to buy high-quality fixtures and materials at a discount
- A little bit of sweat equity
Recently, a couple of families have asked for help in building their own house, and so I’ve decided to provide consulting services for people on the Peninsula who want to build their own house (or build a significant remodel) quickly and for a fraction of the price of a builder.
Contact me if you are interested in some help.