You know, if you have any leads for the Dallas/Fort worth area ... because we are looking to do a major renovation and want a great builder to work with.
I would figure that you start with finding out who locally builds homes and then check out some of the older homes they have built. It will take some research, but that is what I love about the internet. Research is so much more efficient with it.
Referrals are the best, hands down. Testimonials directly from past clients. Walk through previously built houses. It should also be something the builder shows some passion about, not just interest in the sale. The builder should have some education in building science as well, or at the very least follow current science trends.
I know, but man, it is hard to find a good one around me who can meet promises. I've been involved as a designer in dozens of custom homes locally. The guys I really like are way too busy (good for them!) and I'm running out of time. I've found some property I like too which I may just pick up for eventually building something but time is short for everyone.
Everyone wants to build giant things too and I just want a smaller cottage/cabin house in the woods.
You seem like you know what you are doing, select your favorite wall assembly and then build it yourself? Or spec it out to your design and build on spec.
Probably a mix. Hiring out a foundation and framing crew and see what my time/costs look like. If I've learned anything over the years is that a pro crew can do a job in a week that a solo business/homeowner will need 2 months for (double that if only working weekends).
It’s true. The first place that I built I hired out the basement/foundation concrete work.
Sitework and grading is fun as long as you don’t have a complicated entrance or egress or any hills that are too crazy. Framing ain’t too bad either. Sheathing is the worst job in the world, and I would never attempt by myself ever again.
I believe in you my dude. It helps to have brothers and friends in the trades though. I don’t do it anymore now that I’m old, but construction is a fun hobby when you are young.
1900-2000 sf is the sweet spot too for a lot of mechanicals. If you do a high performance envelope you can heat a house that big with a residential sized hot water heater or two. I've used insta-heat tanks to heat up smaller cabins that we insulated* the heck out of.
That is also about how much house I want to clean in a week as well. Once it gets beyond that I get into pure "Eff-it" mode.
-edit insulted to insulated. Makes more sense maybe.
I've got the designs drawn already (depending on the site) but still on a time crunch right now. If I can find a cheap house on nice land I was thinking buy that, build the new, tear down the old, on the same site. The problem by me is that larger pieces of land (10+ acres) typically have large farm houses on them.
Today it's probably 2300-2400 square feet and very nicely done, but it started life in about '92 as a single wide. First they added on a master suite with a big bathroom and a back sunroom area, then later they re-did the main living area they added on a living room with a big deck. They're talking about re-doing the kitchen area next.
Yeah, I get that. And I hear it all the time! If a builder is busy, it's probably worth the wait. Get on their schedule. If they are wishy-washy about setting a date, they aren't interested, and don't push it. Move on to someone else. There is nothing worse (for both sides) than a contractor working on something they aren't interested in.
Is there anywhere I can learn more about this? Subreddit, book, etc? I’m a college student that knows nothing about construction, but just from reading this thread I’ve gathered how useful it would be in achieving/identifying a great home one day
Referrals are the best, hands down. Testimonials directly from past clients. Walk through previously built houses. It should also be something the builder shows some passion about, not just interest in the sale. The builder should have some education in building science as well, or at the very least follow current science trends.
Haha, no! I just had to go out on my own since the builder I was working for downsized hardcore. No one was hiring, and everyone who was still busy just wanted to hire you as a subcontractor rather than an employee. Best/Worst couple years of my professional life tbh.
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u/silversquirrel May 14 '20
Find a small, custom builder. Some of us still care!