Custom Home Building - Do it Yourself

At the present time most people believe that you must be licensed by passing several test in order to become a builder. In many states small home builders are exempt and building for oneself is also exempt. However, just because you are allowed to build your own home does not make it a good idea to do so.

The challenges are many even for one with experience. You must be tough, well organized, willing to compromise, creative with money and be able to make people do what you want under stressful circumstances at times.
Of course you will be expected to carry on with the rest of your life, job and family while doing all of the above at the building site.
You will be sourcing and dealing with subcontractors during the building process and this will require you to be tough enough to get the job done to your specifications while maintaining an attitude that makes them want to do as you ask and avoid as much conflict as possible. Resolving conflicts to the satisfaction of both sides is very important to keep things moving ahead and avoiding delays, poor workmanship, extra costs and liens that can result from a poor working relationship.
As the builder,you will be the one providing the details and specifications to the subs, scheduling the timing of each trade as needed on site and organizing the delivery of materials for each subcontractor prior to their arrival. All of the paperwork, bookkeeping and negotiating are your responsibility.
As the job proceeds you will have to keep a record of costs, inspect work as it takes place, oversee work site safety and pay everyone promptly.

The record keeping involved will include accurate and up to date Insurance, inspections, permits, licenses, plans, banking and payment schedules and other items as they occur.

As you can see, unless you are experienced at this there are any number of things that can go wrong.

Some of the most common things that can happen are:
Bad weather delaying the start of the job of impeding the progress of the job once started.
Subcontractors don't show up or are late.
Work is done incorrectly or there is a dispute regarding who is responsible for certain jobs.
Work progresses slowly for any number of reasons.
Amount of payment is disputed.
Materials are not available when needed or the wrong ones are delivered.
Theft or vandalism at the site.

The reasons for failure of the project can be a combination of many things.

Budget overruns, costs underestimated, lack or organization are the obvious ones. Paying workers before an inspection, to find incomplete or inferior work will leave you no leverage to get them back to make corrections.
Inadequate insurance to cover theft or other disasters or legal difficulties due to careless paperwork are something you would not be aware of if you are inexperienced.

There are many stresses during construction which could result in failure of the relationship between the spouses or partners building the home.
Considering the many pitfalls of being your own builder you may want to consider hiring a professional.

Custom Home Building - Do it Yourself

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