first brand new home construction, personally

[Emily Dixon]

yes, I have worked in home building for many many years(AT A DESK HEHEHEHE). I know the drill. I have a mean schedule and an awesome labor force.
But I can't help being very excited to be finally building my first house as a project manager. We are in escrow, ends in 7 days. Plans being worked up by my awesome and talented dad the general contractor. (I got to design it as well) Permit processes will be 6-8 weeks and building time 40 days.

We have other projects going on as well but this will be my very first brand new home construction on my own. My husband is very busy with his own work, but has helped me with my scheduling and such, and he is excited for me (and a little jealous too). I actually have to use a different plumber (my husband is a plumber) which makes me a little sad.

When I did my estimating I used SUPER HIGH numbers for my costs. Already I have seen the advantage to that as although the lot had a previous house on it the county(los angeles) is STILL requiring me to do a soils test/geotechnical report! And a site survey! I gave them a dirty look and told them it is unjust and ridiculous demand but they didn't seem very sympathetic!

The water company is reaming me as well because although there are exisiting lines there is no meter and they want 5-15k for a meter, but it is covered in my utilites as sewer was much lower then I estimated anyway !!!

So there is around 3-4k I was NOT counting on spending. But I still have a 40k reserve and everything else is matching up fine with my numbers. I was a construction controller for many years so I do not think I will be over on my materials and KNOW I have extra in my labor.

AAAH can't believe it!

My biggest savings point is going to be on labor. I pretty much stole a lot of the work from the general contractor (my dad) to bring costs down. I have a piece work labor allowance and I firmly stand that my labor costs will be 30% lower then anyone else out there with my special concocted labor model. But when I is said and done I will let you know if it truly pans out that way.

I am working myself as well, I will be on the plumbing, electrical and painting crew and jobsite dominamatrix daily whipping the crew to meet the schedule.