Building a house: what are your must have or want to have items?

#127
#127
utvolpj said:
Finally closing today and I'll get a pool back. Never doing this again btw

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Florida? I'm not sure many other states allow for caging. Nice job and for your peace of mind, I assume you were the Contractor. Brave but most everyone who self-contracts ends up hating having done it.

Back in the day, you could hire subcontractors (as a GC) who were like family. Then the sons took over the business and the trust and friendships blew out the windows (which were improperly installed). I left the business.
 
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#128
#128
HarsinVol said:
Florida? I'm not sure many other states allow for caging. Nice job and for your peace of mind, I assume you were the Contractor. Brave but most everyone who self-contracts ends up hating having done it.

Back in the day, you could hire subcontractors (as a GC) who were like family. Then the sons took over the business and the trust and friendships blew out the windows (which were improperly installed). I left the business.
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Yes FL and no way I would GC. We used a reputable builder
 
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#132
#132
tntar heel said:
Pool is next thing we put in but I've talked wife into waiting until things kimda get back to normal until we do.what is the size?
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27x15

The backlog for pools here is over a year if you're getting it added after building. Many tract builders won't even offer pools because of how long it would take compared to when the house would be done.
 
#133
#133
utvolpj said:
27x15

The backlog for pools here is over a year if you're getting it added after building. Many tract builders won't even offer pools because of how long it would take compared to when the house would be done.
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We closed in May. We had neighbor that closed in Sep 20 and the just got theirs finished due to logjam. That seems to be the average here in Tampa. Also, aren't the screens mandatory in Florida?
 
#134
#134
tntar heel said:
We closed in May. We had neighbor that closed in Sep 20 and the just got theirs finished due to logjam. That seems to be the average here in Tampa. Also, aren't the screens mandatory in Florida?
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I'm a bit east of you so we're in the same boat. They aren't required but you have to keep some entry barrier for liability reasons. Tall fence or a child fence on the pool deck would also work. I don't see how people go outside without one while the bugs are out. Mosquitoes will eat you alive
 
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#135
#135
I'm in SWFL and trying to get anything built is absolutely crazy! I've been trying to get a garage addition built, 400 sq ft under roof and an additional 30' driveway. I've gotten 3 quotes in two years after contacting at least a dozen builders. The bids were $43k, $45k and $43k, :mad:
 
#136
#136
JustFunnN'Orange said:
I'm in SWFL and trying to get anything built is absolutely crazy! I've been trying to get a garage addition built, 400 sq ft under roof and an additional 30' driveway. I've gotten 3 quotes in two years after contacting at least a dozen builders. The bids were $43k, $45k and $43k, :mad:
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you will be happier with 22x24 or 24x24 and 18 foot door if two cars? possibly a truck in your future?
 
#138
#138
HarsinVol said:
Florida? I'm not sure many other states allow for caging. Nice job and for your peace of mind, I assume you were the Contractor. Brave but most everyone who self-contracts ends up hating having done it.

Back in the day, you could hire subcontractors (as a GC) who were like family. Then the sons took over the business and the trust and friendships blew out the windows (which were improperly installed). I left the business.
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My wife worked as a contract administrator for a large local construction company (mostly highways) for 20 years and worked another 12 years as an analyst for a law firm that handled construction law. She's GC'ed most of our personal stuff and done a very good job. We're currently doing a landscape remodel ($20-25k) and at our age (mid 70s) we'd really like to have a good GC and it's a really difficult problem finding someone who "does what they say they will do".

One guy pitched us on his great communication skills then when he told us he'd have a quote within 2 weeks and we called he said he'd have it to us by the end of the day.... didn't happen and we didn't get a call. A week later we checked with him again and again he said he'd have it by the end of the day. Still didn't happen....

Point is what do you think the chances are that this guy would get the project done when he said he'd get it done? And this guy has a "good rep". Not happening.
 
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#139
#139
We're moving toward selling the house and building after my youngest graduates from UT (2 years). Must haves: His/Her closets, mud room, big office we will share but have separate everything, three car garage (storage) and a large outdoor living area/patio, half covered with outdoor mini kitchen/gas grill/ wood burning fireplace, etc. Going to single level with less square footage and fewer rooms, but all the bells and whistles we want.
 
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#142
#142
McDad said:
Congratulations. I was gonna ask about it a while back.

Why never build again?
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This was going to likely be it anyways but it's Just a very long process. Had we been able to afford to build without selling first it might have worked but we rented for a year. I've hated this rental. Didn't really get hit with any big delays but some items needed our extra attention to make sure they arrived on time.

House looks great though and we're very happy to get moved in. Only extra money owed was for the garage doors so the budget was spot on.
 
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#143
#143
Vol737 said:
We're moving toward selling the house and building after my youngest graduates from UT (2 years). Must haves: His/Her closets, mud room, big office we will share but have separate everything, three car garage (storage) and a large outdoor living area/patio, half covered with outdoor mini kitchen/gas grill/ wood burning fireplace, etc. Going to single level with less square footage and fewer rooms, but all the bells and whistles we want.
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That’s our plan too only a little later down the line when our youngest graduates hs. If we are in E. Tenn or W NC, we want gas fire pit outside.
 
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#147
#147
I'm in, and being this is only my second house.... I usually don't piss off the back porch until I'm several years in. This time I will take your advice tho! I'm cracking beers as we speak.
 
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