We have only owned one home so I have no experience with home building.
Probably looking to build in 2010. Does anyone have tips on what to look out for.
We are building the last home we will ever live in so I want to make sure everything is as best as it can be.
Also we live in central Alabama do you think there is a better / less expensive time of the year to build? Any builder / architect tips or pitfalls to look out for ?
We are not in a hurry to get this done because our current home is paid for.
Thanks for the help
0
To remove first post, remove entire topic.
My wife and I found our future dream home site.
We have only owned one home so I have no experience with home building.
Probably looking to build in 2010. Does anyone have tips on what to look out for.
We are building the last home we will ever live in so I want to make sure everything is as best as it can be.
Also we live in central Alabama do you think there is a better / less expensive time of the year to build? Any builder / architect tips or pitfalls to look out for ?
We are not in a hurry to get this done because our current home is paid for.
One of the first things you want to do is to find out the soil characteristics of the land you're planning on building on. As, find out what it is, ie; expansive clay, siltly loam, etc. Talk to residents near or builders around your area.
0
One of the first things you want to do is to find out the soil characteristics of the land you're planning on building on. As, find out what it is, ie; expansive clay, siltly loam, etc. Talk to residents near or builders around your area.
one thing I know is make sure you hire an honest general contractor with good references. Home building is a long process and you want your contractor to work with you and for you, not to milk you by using cheap materials.
BOL
0
one thing I know is make sure you hire an honest general contractor with good references. Home building is a long process and you want your contractor to work with you and for you, not to milk you by using cheap materials.
Between when the land is leveled and prior to drywall going up, plan on going to the site daily.
They will screw up something (on purpose or by mistake) from the plans at least twice a week. If you don't catch them they will try to get away with it. Bring a measuring tape, camera, and blue prints.
Also, think of the "budget" like a Base model vehicle price, knowing you want the "Limited" model vehicle.... the number you start with only signify the floor of what it will cost. There will be cost overruns, but more importantly you will decide you want something once construction starts. At this time is will cost twice as much....
0
Between when the land is leveled and prior to drywall going up, plan on going to the site daily.
They will screw up something (on purpose or by mistake) from the plans at least twice a week. If you don't catch them they will try to get away with it. Bring a measuring tape, camera, and blue prints.
Also, think of the "budget" like a Base model vehicle price, knowing you want the "Limited" model vehicle.... the number you start with only signify the floor of what it will cost. There will be cost overruns, but more importantly you will decide you want something once construction starts. At this time is will cost twice as much....
Definate on all the extra space. Kitchen is all my wifes design--She gets the kitchen design --I get the pool and gameroom design.
From what i understand, Alabama is a relatively affordable place to live. As far as 'all the extra space', how old are you? YOu say you want to die in the house, do you still intend on growing your family, or are you older and just looking for a place to grow old. With the current energy crisis, i would advise that you build to suit in as little space as possible. Excess sq. footage is a drag when it comes to trying to heat that shit with energy prices soaring in the near future.
If you can put a basement in, it is the cheapest square footage you can put into a house. And put a bathroom down there also.
i agree with this good advice
time and planning is on your side, since you said that you plan on breaking ground in 2010. There's alot of builders looking for work NOW, and building supply stockpiles are huge, and places are going out of biz, so if money isn't an issue and you can store some supplies, I'd say start the process now. Get multiple bids and use them against eachother.
0
Quote Originally Posted by Saddlewood:
Definate on all the extra space. Kitchen is all my wifes design--She gets the kitchen design --I get the pool and gameroom design.
From what i understand, Alabama is a relatively affordable place to live. As far as 'all the extra space', how old are you? YOu say you want to die in the house, do you still intend on growing your family, or are you older and just looking for a place to grow old. With the current energy crisis, i would advise that you build to suit in as little space as possible. Excess sq. footage is a drag when it comes to trying to heat that shit with energy prices soaring in the near future.
If you can put a basement in, it is the cheapest square footage you can put into a house. And put a bathroom down there also.
i agree with this good advice
time and planning is on your side, since you said that you plan on breaking ground in 2010. There's alot of builders looking for work NOW, and building supply stockpiles are huge, and places are going out of biz, so if money isn't an issue and you can store some supplies, I'd say start the process now. Get multiple bids and use them against eachother.
From what i understand, Alabama is a relatively affordable place to live. As far as 'all the extra space', how old are you? YOu say you want to die in the house, do you still intend on growing your family, or are you older and just looking for a place to grow old. With the current energy crisis, i would advise that you build to suit in as little space as possible. Excess sq. footage is a drag when it comes to trying to heat that shit with energy prices soaring in the near future.
If you can put a basement in, it is the cheapest square footage you can put into a house. And put a bathroom down there also.
i agree with this good advice
time and planning is on your side, since you said that you plan on breaking ground in 2010. There's alot of builders looking for work NOW, and building supply stockpiles are huge, and places are going out of biz, so if money isn't an issue and you can store some supplies, I'd say start the process now. Get multiple bids and use them against eachother.
Thanks for all the tips ...
Im 39 yrs old and very blessed with two teenage daughters. Found 15 acres in the country--- Just happened to be riding in the country and found this and instantly knew this is it.
Have good hardwood trees around for shade in the summer and our winters only last a few wks here and there. Today for example 75 degrees and the possibility of snow tomorrow nite, So electric bills shouldn't be too bad. The house I am in now is 1900 sq feet and electric is 130 - 170 month not too bad I guess ??
Probably looking at 2500-3000 sq feet with 4bdrm 3 full bath home. Considering both my daughters will be in college in the next 5-6 yrs that will be a lot of room. Damn that's a scary thought.
0
Quote Originally Posted by be easy:
From what i understand, Alabama is a relatively affordable place to live. As far as 'all the extra space', how old are you? YOu say you want to die in the house, do you still intend on growing your family, or are you older and just looking for a place to grow old. With the current energy crisis, i would advise that you build to suit in as little space as possible. Excess sq. footage is a drag when it comes to trying to heat that shit with energy prices soaring in the near future.
If you can put a basement in, it is the cheapest square footage you can put into a house. And put a bathroom down there also.
i agree with this good advice
time and planning is on your side, since you said that you plan on breaking ground in 2010. There's alot of builders looking for work NOW, and building supply stockpiles are huge, and places are going out of biz, so if money isn't an issue and you can store some supplies, I'd say start the process now. Get multiple bids and use them against eachother.
Thanks for all the tips ...
Im 39 yrs old and very blessed with two teenage daughters. Found 15 acres in the country--- Just happened to be riding in the country and found this and instantly knew this is it.
Have good hardwood trees around for shade in the summer and our winters only last a few wks here and there. Today for example 75 degrees and the possibility of snow tomorrow nite, So electric bills shouldn't be too bad. The house I am in now is 1900 sq feet and electric is 130 - 170 month not too bad I guess ??
Probably looking at 2500-3000 sq feet with 4bdrm 3 full bath home. Considering both my daughters will be in college in the next 5-6 yrs that will be a lot of room. Damn that's a scary thought.
Between when the land is leveled and prior to drywall going up, plan on going to the site daily.
They will screw up something (on purpose or by mistake) from the plans at least twice a week. If you don't catch them they will try to get away with it. Bring a measuring tape, camera, and blue prints.
Also, think of the "budget" like a Base model vehicle price, knowing you want the "Limited" model vehicle.... the number you start with only signify the floor of what it will cost. There will be cost overruns, but more importantly you will decide you want something once construction starts. At this time is will cost twice as much....
Is it standard for the architect to do some of this also to keep the general contractor on plan ??
0
Quote Originally Posted by Grego:
Between when the land is leveled and prior to drywall going up, plan on going to the site daily.
They will screw up something (on purpose or by mistake) from the plans at least twice a week. If you don't catch them they will try to get away with it. Bring a measuring tape, camera, and blue prints.
Also, think of the "budget" like a Base model vehicle price, knowing you want the "Limited" model vehicle.... the number you start with only signify the floor of what it will cost. There will be cost overruns, but more importantly you will decide you want something once construction starts. At this time is will cost twice as much....
Is it standard for the architect to do some of this also to keep the general contractor on plan ??
I just turned 39 in Jan. I built my home in 2000. Think about a 2 story home. If this is your last home, a 2 story will suck in about 10 years because of the steps. 99% of the people I tell this to say thanks for the info or say I should of listened to you. I'll be gald to answer any more questions if you have any. I have been in the trade for 23 years. BOL my friend.
0
I just turned 39 in Jan. I built my home in 2000. Think about a 2 story home. If this is your last home, a 2 story will suck in about 10 years because of the steps. 99% of the people I tell this to say thanks for the info or say I should of listened to you. I'll be gald to answer any more questions if you have any. I have been in the trade for 23 years. BOL my friend.
Put your master bedroom on first floor,,if you can get a basement, make it deep as possible and finish it later yourself,get as few builder upgrades as possible,,unless they have to be done while building,,,do the others later yourself,good call with the west deck,,if your using a gc,,get 3 or more bids and go look at his work, find out if you can lock into lumber prices,get everything in writing,visit the site often,,,if your not knowledgeable about construction,,have someone who is visit the site,,make sure the site is reasonably clean,,,not only is it unsafe,,a good builder will not let it get out of control,,keep a list of all the subs he uses,,take pictures during the process,photo all walls before they are closed,,you may need that info later for some reason,,make sure the property is graded properly,,run all leaders underground if possible
0
Put your master bedroom on first floor,,if you can get a basement, make it deep as possible and finish it later yourself,get as few builder upgrades as possible,,unless they have to be done while building,,,do the others later yourself,good call with the west deck,,if your using a gc,,get 3 or more bids and go look at his work, find out if you can lock into lumber prices,get everything in writing,visit the site often,,,if your not knowledgeable about construction,,have someone who is visit the site,,make sure the site is reasonably clean,,,not only is it unsafe,,a good builder will not let it get out of control,,keep a list of all the subs he uses,,take pictures during the process,photo all walls before they are closed,,you may need that info later for some reason,,make sure the property is graded properly,,run all leaders underground if possible
If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on
this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide
any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in
your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner
of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.
I can give you lots of do's and don'ts on the concrete pond.
Hot Forum Topics
