All Forum Posts by: Daniel Alfandre

My plumber bids are offering one year warranty on their work for a new home construction.  The FTC website plumbing work should be warrantied for two years.  How many years do you require your warranties for plumbing, elec., HVAC?  Have you seen issues on new construction arise after the first year?

Even though it may be more expensive to let the concrete sub supply, it may be a better idea in the long run for warranty issues and easier coordination between concrete sub and supplier.  What do you think?

This covers the house after it's built; i.e., if the roof caves in, etc. I don't see it as a likely risk, esp. on a new house that follows all code and thorough quality checklist - what do you think?

This covers the house after it's built; i.e., if the roof caves in, etc.  I don't see it as a likely risk, esp. on a new house that follows all code and thorough quality checklist - what do you think?

Can getting fixtures through my plumber be comparable in price with buying them myself if my plumber has discounts through his supplier? Another benefit of getting them through my plumber would be to free up my time from having to shop for/manage delivery the fixtures myself.

Can getting fixtures through my plumber be comparable in price with buying them myself if my plumber has discounts through his supplier?  Another benefit of getting them through my plumber would be to free up my time from having to shop for/manage delivery the fixtures myself.

Hi All - 

How would you recommend asking subcontractors (framers, plumbers, etc.) to provide me their prices?  Any specific formats (divide labor/material, lump sum, etc.)?  I've got my subcontract agreement, scopes of work, and plans ready to distribute.

I'm currently a superintendent for a SFH company and I'm looking to strike out on my own and build a mixture of 10-20 infill spec townhomes and duplexes a year. A GC would cost ~15% for each unit and a W-2 superintendent would cost ~$150 per year, not including employer expenses, possible WC payouts, liability insurance, etc.; but which would be cheaper, in my rough estimation, than paying a GC. However, even with good systems in place, I assume a W-2 superintendent would take a little more of my time to manage than a GC.

What do you think is a better route to take and why?

I'm currently a superintendent for a SFH company and I'm looking to strike out on my own and build a mixture of 10-20 infill spec townhomes and duplexes a year. A GC would cost ~15% for each unit and a W-2 superintendent would cost ~$150 per year, not including employer expenses, possible WC payouts, liability insurance, etc.; but which would be cheaper, in my rough estimation, than paying a GC. However, even with good systems in place, I assume a W-2 superintendent would take a little more of my time to manage than a GC.

What do you think is a better route to take and why?

Great insights, thank you Aaron!