10-24-2005, 03:09 PM
What a great topic! We will also be building soon. We have a drafter drawing up plans right now - we will be meeting with her tomorrow to see the first drawings - how exciting! My husband and I have the advantage of working for a general contractor, so that will help us out tremendously. We already have lots of contacts. My hubby will be doing most of the work himself, along with another guy that works with us.
One thing I can suggest is to start contacting subs ASAP! Get a land clearer on the schedule first - land can be cleared before you even have a permit if finances allow. Once you have good drawings that are submitted for a building permit - contact plumbers, electricians, drywallers, painters, water tank suppliers, etc. to start getting estimates. Good luck getting them to call you back. Some subs are booked months into the future, so if you don't at least get on their schedule, it will cause headaches down the road. During the building process, keep in contact with them, let them know how the project is going and when you expect you will need them - then after a date is set, call 1 week before, then 1-2 days before to make sure they will actually show up.
Some drafters use software that can generate a material list. If you are going with a custom home and not a package home, ask them for this material list. This is what I hope to do. Then, you will be able to call the lumber companies and get a realistic materials price.
Let me know if I can be of help to anyone.
Emily
One thing I can suggest is to start contacting subs ASAP! Get a land clearer on the schedule first - land can be cleared before you even have a permit if finances allow. Once you have good drawings that are submitted for a building permit - contact plumbers, electricians, drywallers, painters, water tank suppliers, etc. to start getting estimates. Good luck getting them to call you back. Some subs are booked months into the future, so if you don't at least get on their schedule, it will cause headaches down the road. During the building process, keep in contact with them, let them know how the project is going and when you expect you will need them - then after a date is set, call 1 week before, then 1-2 days before to make sure they will actually show up.
Some drafters use software that can generate a material list. If you are going with a custom home and not a package home, ask them for this material list. This is what I hope to do. Then, you will be able to call the lumber companies and get a realistic materials price.
Let me know if I can be of help to anyone.
Emily