General Contracting my own home

[Theo Bandy]

I've never built a home and I'm thinking about becoming my own general contractor. Can anyone provide some useful tips on how to choose the right subcontractors and best practices on foundation, framing, and insulation builds?

[Gordon D.]

Theo - I have over 30 years worth of experience building custom homes and I can tell you with confidence that you will not save money being your own GC.  Why?

1. Lot's of reasons, not the least of which is the lack of knowledge and experience.  Here are a few other things to consider.  
2. One of the most important aspects of such a project is the budget.  How will you prepare a budget without knowing what's involved?
3. The preliminary work alone will take longer than you think.  Site planning, zoning, permits, engineering, etc.
4. In general, there at a bare minimum over 5000 details in the building of a home.
5. Your GC has the experience of what products are available and what will work best for your project.
6. General Contractor's can buy products and materials at discounts that you can't.  Just that fact alone can be reason enough to work with a professional GC.  What you think you'll save, you will spend in purchasing.

Find an honest, reputable builder that will work hand and hand with you and in the end, you'll be a happy man.

Luke 14:28  For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?