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Just venting a bit here. We went to contract in June, and the builders still fighting to get the permets. [img]/forums/images/icons/frown.gif[/img] We were going to be in by aug23rd. We did not make it. AUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!! Well, I'm done. ANy one else go through this?
Yep. 15 years ago when we biult our house, we hired a contractor. He sub-contracted the work out, and it seemed like months between the time the block was laid, and the frame was up, and the electric, and plumbing was done. Well you get the idea. It took forever. Hang in there.
Kent
Fortunately my G.O. was right on target > 3 months from start to finish. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
He is small uses mostly his own crew for the work. He subs the major escavation, concrete, HVAC, & drywall only. Everything else he does. The weather was also good. The only snag that I incurred was due to the septic guy that I contracted - go figure. The septic took us 2 weeks instead of 2 days... [img]/forums/images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
I know the feeling. It has taken six months for the draftsman to draw up our plans and now that we finally have them we are waiting on estimates from the general contractors. We are waiting on estimates so we can get our loan approved so we can start building. Maybe the construction part will start some time this year???
It would be nice if we could get it built and closed on before interest rates go back up!
You know, the only good thing about this is that we have been able to keep lowering the rate when its dropped. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Cost us a bit, but it will be worth it. Oh, and we are locked, so it will not go up.
My wife and I have made the same observations. The dillying and dallying has worked in our favor so far (knock on wood.)It wouldn't hurt my feelings if the rates were to drop just a tad more between now and whenever but I will be thrilled if I can get it close to where it is now.
My big problem is we sold our house. Now we are renting it from the new owners, but we don't realy like them. That and its a 2 famley, and god knows what will move in down stairs.
I feel for you! You <font color="red">do</font color> have a problem! I thought I had it bad because I am living in a classic 1984 moblie home on a tiny lot, but at least I own both of them! You gotta be more anxious than me to get that new house built!
You got that right. We are going [img]/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]
Less than 90 days to build the house? Or was that a year and 90 days? Under 90 days is PDQ, but delays are delays none the less. I just signed a contract a few weeks back. Loan is heading towards closing on the 30th so we funded site prep and well outside of loan process (just less down payment). This way builder has a head start and is ready to really go when loan closes and permits are issued.
Still looking at up to 6 months from when he starts. And no.. I am not building a mansion. I had a house built back in Texas and someone did something almost everyday of the week on that house and it still took 4 months from start to finish.
Not saying you don't have a problem, just that under 90 days seems aggresive to me.
Good luck and hope it comes out well for you;
GS
Chris -
what draftsman drew your plans for you? Do you recommend him? Was it $$$$ ? I've heard that an architect will charge 10% of the cost of the house when it's built for him to draw up plans - Seems awfully high unless some engineering is required. My feeble attempts at drawing up my plans from high school learning - is enough to give someone a good idea what I want but I don't believe good enough to build off of. I just can't see spending $15,000 for drawings of a very simple 1850 sq ft house with 1 roof line and 4 outside corners. [img]/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]
mike
You can have lots of fun with Broderbund 3D Home Architect.
It has lots of variables, door sized, window sizes, roof pitches, wall widths and more.
Have many hours planning future home on it.
Sorry Mikim,
I would not recommend the draftsman who drew up our plans. He was very knowlegeable and an extremely nice guy but he had too many irons in the fire and it is because of him that it has taken so long to get our plans drawn. He does design for the Exxon complex here in Baytown and he just did not have time for me. As a matter of fact, he quoted me .65 per sq. ft. (roughly $1260) to draw up my plans but he felt so bad about how long it took to draw them that he took my initial down payment of $300 up front but put me off when I got ready to settle the balance with him, so it looks like I got my plans for $300. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
We had gotten a referral for an architech in Pasadena, on Richie. His price was $1 per sq. ft. which would come out to $1850 for your plans. That's considerable cheaper than what you were told but stll high in my book. The co. name was Adams something or another. We talked to them but decided to go with the draftsman because our design was pretty simple and square and .65 sounded better than $1 per sq. ft.
During the process of trying to get my plans drawn I discovered that I owned the "junior" version of the same program the draftsman used to draw up my plans. As a matter of fact, he copied my house plans onto a diskette and gave them to one of the builders we are talking to so that he could look at them on his computer (he has the same drawing program.) I drew up a one bedroom, one story garage apartment on my jr. program and emailed the drawing to the builder and the format was the same and he was able to put the drawing into his drawing program and look at what I had drawn. I thought that was pretty cool.
That's the program I have.
Paul,
I know your feel your pain and know your desire to move. After years of apartment living and the process to find a design, find a builder and have their architect draw changes then starting with a builder to determine price only to be blown off by them and acting like we were making too many changes. Well a house is the single largest investment you will make.
We found a different builder who I was reffered to but felt I should go forward with the original company. Glad I didn't. We met with our (current) builder on a Wednesday and fired out old builder the next day (Thursday). Their sales person tried every trick to get us to change. Well unfortunately for her she pushed the wrong button. She tried the "What do we need to get you to change your mind". Well I told her and 20 minutes later we parted. She was told how the sales process should work (I am in sales) and how unattentive or unwilling they were to return calls and how they screened calls. We were looking to spend $300k+ on this home and didn't want to get burned.
Our new builder is a smaller outfit with his own crew. Does excellent work, is a custom cabinet and trim maker. He uses long time subs for HVAC, Plumbing, electrical etc. He worked with our excavators and their time lines. His projection was 5 months start to finish, We began in late May and will be in mid to late October.
This was our dream home and our place tolive our lives out. We don't plan to move so we built it with us in mind.
Heres a shot of where we are, but the porch isn't done yet.
here in dallas, tx....i had my house plans drawn by an architect for .45 cents/sq. ft. for all the a/c space only....no extra charge for garages or porches....very detailed and the cost includes 8 sets of plans..additional sets were $21 ea.
When we got our final prints we did receive 8 copies, with two stamped and certified for the inspectors and such.
Since then I have had to make copies and I found that going to Kinko's works just fine. They have a large plotter printer that makes great clear copies.
Something else I found is have a set laminated (Kinko's too) will do that for you. Great to have on site so you don't have to worry about the rain, mud and other stuff.
I also left a smaller set of prints from the cabinet company in the kitchen area tacked to the wall so the electrician could spot his recessed lights, the HVAC guys would know were cabinets were going so they wouldn't put the floor vent where they did (and moved late for me).
Just a quick thought.
I have seen this house before, but where? [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
[img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
It can be annying about the phone calls. The main reason we went with this builder, is he would call us back.
I used the Broderbund program. They have 2 or 3 available. It worked well for me. Get as many ideas from builders and floor plan providers on the net as you can and then design your own. One thing, also get an architect involved if possible to review your ideas & changes. Fortunately, we have a friend that did this for us. They have the experience and can visualize what you have on paper or the computor screen. The builder can help also, but may be more qualified to answer the cost/labor questions about your ideas, but not always "how will this look?" [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Been there too.
We spent seven months trying to get plans done by an engineer and finally gave up. The first floor did not match the basement and the stairs did not reach the second floor. You get the picture.
Our schedule kept getting pushed back. I finally dumped the engineer and bought a cad program and did a set of plans myself. I asked around and found who many of the builders in our area used for an architect. I took my plans to him and he made some good changes but the plans were not compromised. It took him three weeks not seven months.
We moved in on May 24,2002 and the house is wonderful. I know your frustration but it will be worth it.
Tim
Sorry to tell you this but my house was "built" in 1845 and it still isn't "done". [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
dave
I'd certainly be willing to drive 4 hours to save some bucks --- but I gotta believe we have somebody here in Houston that will do the same thing --- sure glad to hear I was out to lunch on that 10% thing .. [img]/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img] ... but that's generally normal for me [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
Well, we just got a ray of good news. Seems like we start digging wed, or thrs next week. Still nothing from DOT, but everything else is set, so our inspector will let us start, and let the chips fall where they will. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] We are SO happy. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Going to have a champane, and backhoe party. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Just got a call from the wife. Theys, a digging!!!!! [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Looks like we get to start a new thred on the building of it. YAHOOOO!!!!!!
bigbukhntr,
Sorry for the multiple posts [img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img] , but I'm looking for someone just like you described in your post.
Could you send me the name and phone number of your architect - via e-mail or private message? I'm in the Dallas area, and the cost sounds very reasonable, especially if you are happy with the results.
Thanks,