How can you hire some one to build a home on your own home-site?
Question:If you bought a forested piece of land, and you wanted to build your own custom home on it, how would you do it?
Answers:
Sure, many contractors only deal in these type homes. Check your phone book, ask at contractor building supply stores..for example:let's say you want higher end windows in your new home..go to the Pella, Andersen, etc window people and ask about contractors.
By all means check out prospective contractors with the BBB as well as state board. You don't want someone who's license is in question. Also look at their previous homes, talk to the homeowners.
You are talking about a long term relationship with someone...and involving a lot of money. You must be confident in your selection.
Do you have a plan? Hiring an architect may seem silly but if your needs are special, then an architect is well worth their cost. Plus they have contractors they have worked with before.
you can contract all the work yourself, or you can hire a builder. I would suggest a builder since you have to ask this question.
You can search the web for homebuilders in your area. There are homebuilder organization in most states that have a list of qaulified homebuilders. You can also go to some housing additions and look at house that are being built that are comparable to what you are look at building. Most builders in Oklahoma will build on your land for you. Take your time and pick a good builder. It will make everything go a lot smoother.
You're getting good advice.
May I also suggest, don't let your payments get ahead of the work. You don't fork over huge amounts of money for work promised. Pay as he goes along.
Make sure you know his character. Will he scrimp on details and material? If so, you don't want him. Will he make it your way, or his?
the best is to find a builder, when you ask them for the cost of building your home, make sure to ask them to let you see the bid. a lot of times General contractors/builders add hidden fees to the individual bids they get from subcontractors. Also, if your state allows, you might want to look into hiring a draftsmen rather than architech, they do same work for fraction of the cost.
I would start with an Architect and have him design a house to fit the wooded area, have the place reflect our lifestyles, properly sized for the family members, makae sure it is engineered to withstand the weather and be extremely efficient to minimize utility costs.
Architects can recommend builders to follow the plans.
First, create a set of drawings that show property lines, proposed house location, utility locations,and what you want the house to look like. Include a floor plan. Ask friends and neighbors about experiences they have had or heard about with local contractors. Ask your city building inspector to confirm what you have heard. Ask your potential contractors to provide a cost estimate and show you current copies of his license and insurance. Then decide who to hire.
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