In DIY's Be Your Own Contractor, we meet the ultimate do-it-yourselfers --everyday people from around the country who contracted and supervised the building of their own homes, and who share the experiences they had when they did so. In this series premiere episode, our do-it-yourselfers fill us in on what you need to know before you take on the job of being your own contractor. We hear why they wanted to do it, the types of skills that they needed and the type of person they think you need to be in order to take on this ambitious undertaking. We find out their varied opinions on saving money -- including that of one contractor from Arizona who built his house debt free, without any mortgage. We hear about the importance advance planning, and about one couple who spent over three years planning their house in Kentucky that's built with "green" building materials. We also find how the home-builders decided whether to do the work themselves or hire a sub contractor. In this segment we get a brief introduction to our do-it-yourself contractors who tell us why they decided to "do it themselves." Throughout the series we will here from the individuals listed below as they discuss the various phases of their construction projects, their plans, insights, varying approaches, the pitfalls they encountered and the lessons they learned. - Skip Weahunt of Fair Oaks, CA wanted to be in charge of making all the decisions that went into the building of his home. He acknowledges that it's important to have a basic understanding of the building process, and what may be expected of them from subcontractors and others, before taking on a large project such as this. That process includes everything from clearing and excavating land to landscaping, framing, roofing, siding, heating, air-conditioning, plumbing work, electrical work and interior finish work. Skip notes that, if done properly, you can save 20 percent or more on the construction of a new home by being your own contractor.
- Michael Buchtel of Williamsburg, VA decided to serve as the contractor for his own home mainly for the cost savings. His dedication led him to take classes and get certified in certain aspects of construction, and he has now put those professional skills to use on other homes.
- Betty King and John Spracklen of Olmstead, KY had as a high priority a desire to build a house that was environmentally friendly. They note that you can save money by being your own contractor, but warn that the idea may backfire if things aren't handled properly. Poor planning, bad decisions or mistakes can end up costing you more than the money you would save by not paying a contractor's fee.
- Al Sain of Butler, PA is an engineer by profession and enjoys the building process. The house shown in this series is the second one he has built, and he considers supervision of the construction of a house to be a sort of artistry and a creative outlet. He stresses that, though many people imagine that they could serve as their own contractor, it's important to have certain knowledge and critical skills (such as carpentry and building) before taking on the job. Knowledge of the sequence of events in the construction of a house is also critical. In his opinion, saving money is the wrong reason to be your own contractor. The amount of time and effort you put into the project may outweigh the cost savings. Rather the decision should be made on your geniuine desire to manage the project yourself.
- Stanton Saucier of Tarzana, CA warns against taking on this significant project if you don't have some basic building skills and knowledge.
- Andy Beasley of Hillsdale, CO warns that taking on this job is a huge undertaking, and should be considered carefully. His most basic advice: think about what you are getting into, and try to get a handle on the extent of everything that's involved in the project. He advises talking to professional contractors and others who have taken on a project like this before deciding whether you want to do likewise. A realistic self-assessment before the process begins may save you a lot of frustration.
- Lynn Underwood, a building-code supervisor from Tuscon, AZ felt confident that he was cut out for the job, and valued the opportunity to design and build a home exactly as he wanted it. He was also determined to build his home with no mortgage or debt, even if it took several years to do so. So great was his determination that he and his family lived on the property during construction -- first in a trailer, then in a small temporary home -- for almost four years as the house was being built. The money that he saved on rent was applied directly to the purchase of construction materials.
In the segment that follows, the contractors discuss the importance of advance planning.
RESOURCES :
The Brand-New House Book: Everything You Need to Know About Planning, Designing...
Model: 0609805835
Author: Katherine Salant
Full title: The Brand-New House Book: Everything You Need to Know About Planning, Designing, and Building a Custom, Semi-Custom, or Production-Built House
Three Rivers Press
The Well-Built House
Model: 0395629519
Author: James Locke
Mariner Books
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