BUILD VS. BUY - BLOG SERIES: STEP #4 LET THE BUILDING BEGIN!

BUILD VS. BUY - BLOG SERIES
Since so many of our readers ask us about this topic, ​we decided to write a blog series!
Step #1 - Buying a Good Lot! (Click to read)
Step #2 - Getting Your Permits (Click to read)
Step #3 - Part A: Contractors (Click to read)
Step #3 - Part B: Financing (Click to read)
Step #4 Let the Building Begin
Step #5 - Permanent Financing and Moving into your Dream Home

Let The Building Begin!
This is the moment you've been waiting for.
So much hard work, so much money, so much time.
Now it's time to make it REAL!

If you thought it was a challenge to get to this point of having all of your entitlements and permits get ready to raise it up a notch.

If you did all of your research and hired a great general contractor (which I didn't do) then your experience will be quite a bit different as compared to if you decided to not only "build" but also "be the builder".

If you hired a great contractor then you hired someone that is responsible to bring a result and that means do whatever needs to be done to deliver the home that is specified in the approved and permitted plans.

But, even if you hired a great general contractor, it's unlikely that you will be able to completely step away from the process and that you will still need to invest quite a bit of time visiting the site, going over details and MAKING LOTS OF DECISIONS.

In all likelihood, even if you have very detailed plans, there will be some details that were left out and/or situations that arise where you feel that going in a different direction or making a change is the best way to go.

Clear your schedule for the 12 to 24 months it will take to complete the build of your home. If you are not readily available when situations arise then you might be disappointed with the result.

If you decided that you want to take this project on as an "owner builder" and NOT hire a general contractor then get ready for the adventure and challenge of a lifetime!

THERE ARE SO MANY SITUATIONS that will come at you in rapid-fire and that means that you will need to make SO many decisions with so little time.

If you aren't available or can't make decisions quickly then the timeline of your construction project will suffer delays.

Here is a short-list of some of the steps in the building process:

1) Bring in temporary services that will be needed such as: chain-link fencing, Porta-potty, water service, temporary electric power. NOTE: be sure to find the best porta-potty service provider.  Look for the business that's "#1 in a #2 business!!"  LOL:))

2) Grading & hauling/import - bring in the bulldozers, bobcats and drill rigs. You are going to move the dirt around and dig some trenches and deep holes for your foundation!

3) Foundation - This takes the hillside out of your lot. After the grading, you are going to need to fill the trenches and deep holes with re-bar and concrete

4) Underground Infrastructure - plumbing, natural gas pipes, sewer lines & drainage.

5) Framing & Structural Earthquake Measures

6) Getting “weathered in” means that when/if it rains the outer shell of your home is water-tight. This means that the roof has been installed, the windows and doors have been installed and the plywood siding and building paper are covering all the exterior walls. NOTE: at this point it might seem like you are almost done but it is pretty much the mid-point of your building project. Visually, it seems like you've already done most of the work but the rest of what needs to be done TAKES TIME!

7) “Roughing In” - this is all the "stuff" that's "in the walls" and not visible after the home is done. We are talking about the rough-plumbing, fire-sprinkler system (if required/desired), electrical, drains and vents, HVAC, communication lines (cable/phone/internet/etc), central vacuum(?).

​8) Site Security? This is something to consider. Vandalism and theft can cost both time and money and set you back. Depending on where you are building your home you might want to consider your security options so as to minimize potential problems.

9) City Inspections - with each milestone of construction there is a corresponding city inspection to make sure that the approved and permitted plans are being adhered to and followed.

10) Neighbors - keeping good relations with your neighbors is very important. Try to imagine what they are going through with all of your mess, noise, dust and dirt, contractors parking their cars on the street, and more. Respect the rules and only work on your build during approved hours/days and maybe consider getting gift cards to a nearby car-wash so that your neighbors feel that you care. If your neighbors are against you, it will be a real uphill battle. Be nice. Be respectful. Be grateful:)

11) Public Works/ Street Services/ Utilities - basically, there are two worlds- the world of "private property" and the world of "public property" and the two worlds are very, very different. If your project approval included requirements to provide some sort of "public works" to be completed as a condition of your permit approval you might want to get ahead of these requirements. It takes much longer than you could ever imagine to complete public improvements so unless you want to have the entire home built and be waiting months and months for your CofO (certificate of occupancy) it's best to try to complete any public works requirements asap and not to wait until the end.

GOOD LUCK with however you decide to move forward- either with a general contractor or on your own.
GET READY FOR AN ADVENTURE!


STAY TUNED NEXT WEEK FOR
Step #5 - Permanent Financing and Moving into your Dream Home

Buying or Selling Real Estate?
​Contact Us Today!
​
Brian Fitzburgh
​Real Estate Broker / Animal Lover
818-571-9712
[email protected]
www.brokerstrust.com

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