OK I need to vent and seek some encouragment. I am having a new house built. It is a custom home on 22 acres. Well we broke ground on March 24 or 25 and are still not moved in yet. I am at my wits end. we are in the trim carpentry stage, all the outside is done other than a few odds and ends. On the inside we have to finish the trim, electic, plumbing, cabinets, counter tops, and flooring. It just seams like each guy is waiting on the other. Other than sticking a boot is someones a$$ what do ya do. Making it hard to plan my sled trips with no move in date. I hate to complain about a new house when some don't have a place to live, but every month we continue to build is costing me rent, 2 homes worth of utilities, and interest on a house that is not liveable yet. happy trails to all who can get away and ride soon!!!
building a house
- Thread starter mjdeutsch
- Start date
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lenny
Guest
sometimes you just gotta kick them in da arse abit
polarisrider1
New member
Are you the contractor? How big is the house? Where you located? Need more info to figure out if you are. Ligit or whining, I can have your tile and hardwood in quickly. If you got workers there each day, count your blessings. If you have days with nobody showing then scream. I can have builders there on tues. How much you willing to spend to speed thingd up? Yes I do have a Residential/ Maintenance Alterations/Restoration License and insured. Do you need help?
chicagosledder
New member
Fire them and hire new guys. Believe me if they can't do the work on time there are plenty of skilled guys out there that would love to work and pay some of their bills.
Was the general on my house, and had a ton of rain, but still was done in about six months or so. I was the plumber on the house and knew most of the other guys. The only one I had to jump on constantly was the tinner.
Sometimes you do have to get on their butts, and tell them you will get someone else. That does work most of the time
Good luck man.
Sometimes you do have to get on their butts, and tell them you will get someone else. That does work most of the time
Good luck man.
polarisrider1
New member
I suspect the subs are taking care of their main builders and are using you as filler. Done all the time. You are a once and done. Their reg. Builders are house after house. Get tight on the money. If they come back and rail it out watch for quality issues. Played the game going on 31 years.
1flatlander2
Member
if your the general it's your fault. if not call the general contractor and have him kick a$$. thats his job!
As long as you don't have crazy detail on the home and have not made any major changes after construction began, In my opinion you should be kicked back sitting in front of your fireplace (if there is one 
right now with your laptop planning your next trip. I know I am comparing apples to oranges, but last year we did a fairly major remodel that took only 8 weeks. It included adding square footage in the middle of the winter. I had one builder tell me our move in goal was impossible, but it happened. Within reason there should be workers there almost every day if there is planning done. If you have a GC then get rid of him because they are not doing a good job. We had workers at our house every day but 1 for eight weeks in a row and I was the GC, and I had 0 experience building a house I just knew several of the contractors and had some guys who were laid off doing side work. So if you have a builder they should easily be able to get people there.
right now with your laptop planning your next trip. I know I am comparing apples to oranges, but last year we did a fairly major remodel that took only 8 weeks. It included adding square footage in the middle of the winter. I had one builder tell me our move in goal was impossible, but it happened. Within reason there should be workers there almost every day if there is planning done. If you have a GC then get rid of him because they are not doing a good job. We had workers at our house every day but 1 for eight weeks in a row and I was the GC, and I had 0 experience building a house I just knew several of the contractors and had some guys who were laid off doing side work. So if you have a builder they should easily be able to get people there.It is the general contractors JOB to kick a## if you are acting as your general than fire them and go to the builders association in your area and get a qualified general to get things done. I am retired but i had all my subs in line with a schedule of the times i needed them, and it was my job to see that they were there. We built 3000-5000 sq ft homes and the adverage time for completion was 120 days. (with only 4 on my crew and 1 gofer) Keeping the subs on a schedule was the trick!!! Good Luck to you i know its very frustrating building a home but just keep yellin!!
maximumpsi
Member
Whether you have a GC or not, it helps to have someone on site several times/day or at least nearby. Often subs have questions or something that needs to be changed before they can continue. For example, sheet rockers may need a framing corner modified. Being there also allows you to make calls to subs to get them there when no one shows up. With no building experience, I generaled my house in 4 1/2 months from demo to move-in, due in part to my brother being the rough and finish carpenter. I was also fortunate to rent a cabin next door and worked from home, so I could see what was going on and keep things moving. Don't forget to follow-up on all pre-lien notices that you receive from your subs' suppliers. Good luck!
G
G
Guest
Simple - stop paying. If you have already paid them you have dropped way down their priority list. Make sure you always owe them about 10 grand. You will see them then.
My husband, 3 others and myself cleared the land and built the whole Wildlife Refuge Cabins complex from the ground up in 3 months, that's 6 cabins plus a office. Dave has also built 2800 square foot homes in 2 months time. You best not have paid in full up front or for sure your last on the list! It amazes me how long it takes some companies to build. I wonder how they make a profit.
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lenny
Guest
you have a ways to go bud. I typically figure I am about half way at your point. After sheet rock and paint is flooring (except carpet). You gotta stay 2 steps ahead of the game to keep the flow going. It's not as easy as many people think it is, many things can set the time frame back.
We are in central Indiana and have been in our home for a year and a half. We built a true custom home meaning it started out on a napkin and was built three years later. Construction was just over a year. It took the framers from late May to end of Oct. just to get it framed and closed up. Trim carpenters were about eight weeks, painters were about a month. We also rented for a little over a year while we built but were lucky enough to have a vacant house right across the road so we got to watch it daily and everynight we got to go have a look after everyone left. We had a very good Builder and have had very few small issues which have all been addressed. We stressed all the time we were'nt in a hurry, we just wanted it done right and we got a very nice well built house. As long as you are satisfied with the work I wouldn't get too caught up in the time thing. A house is a big deal, the last thing you want is for them to start hurrying and cutting corners or doing a half a**ed job. What you pay in rent for a few extra months will be nothing if you end up with a quality house and good finished product.
I hear ya. The wait will be worth it then. We tore down the old house and my shop which was a 2 story finished, heated, 28 X 32. I got my new shop (66 X 80) built a year ago Oct. and so far have one end mostly studded out and the floor in. Trying to do it on a pay as we go basis so you can imagine it seems as if it will never be done. Hopefully by the end of Dec. i'll have electric in and the rest studded out so I can start insulation and get heat in.