U build it

[scooterbug44]

Has anyone used U build-it to build a home in this area?

I think it's a great idea, and would like to find out more about the process.

[Smiling JOe]

Never heard of it. If it has anything to do with you being your own contractor, good luck. :floor: I'd leave that to the pros, and even they have trouble with subs.

[scooterbug44]

I can think of myriad potential problems w/ being your own contractor etc. that's why I want to find out more about the process from someone who has actually done it.

[Smiling JOe]

So does U-build It, build it, or do you? Got a link?

[John R]

i never could get them to call me back, or answer any questions while i was standing in their office. they're in the same shopping center as best buy.

http://www.ubuildit.com/

[scooterbug44]

It seems that you do, but they sort of oversee the project & help you coordinate it for a flat fee instead of the usual %. Personally I'd never build a house w/o using an architect and a contractor as they EARN every penny, but I know that isn't an option for everyone.

I want to find out more about this as it keeps popping up more and more in conversation.

Their website is www.ubuildit.com

[Camp Creek Kid]

Typcially, these types of companies have the homeowner pull the permits and then have an experienced, but UNLICENSED "project manager" manage the project. I know of a couple of guys who do this and the reason that they are unlicensed is because they had their license revoked for various reasons. It is legal, but I would be very careful about who you are hiring.

Also, there is a state law that forbids rental or sale within two years, of any property that was built by a non-contractor owner. If you pull the permit, you are the builder.

[Smiling JOe]

Typcially, these types of companies have the homeowner pull the permits and then have an experienced, but UNLICENSED "project manager" manage the project. I know of a couple of guys who do this and the reason that they are unlicensed is because they had their license revoked for various reasons. It is legal, but I would be very careful about who you are hiring.

Also, there is a state law that forbids rental or sale within two years, of any property that was built by a non-contractor owner. If you pull the permit, you are the builder.
...and no lender will give you a construction loan if an unlicensed contractor pulls the permits and builds the house.

[Busta Hustle]

did not use them but i did meet the fellows and listened to their deal...as you would expect you exchange paying peter to pay paul for the info provided...best thing you could ever do is find out a reasonable per square foot building cost for the quality and type of structure you need...some say the "going rate" is around $150/ft for custom residential with all bells and whistles...maybe 100 for low end specs...it was a whole bunch lower than that just 2 or 3 years ago...and with the market like it is per/ft prices should be receding like home prices are...but are they?...u-decide...good luck

[JoshMclean]

Yeah, this sounds like a really great idea. I think they have another office at Destin Commons. Nevermind, that's Build-A-Bear :roll:

[Camp Creek Kid]

did not use them but i did meet the fellows and listened to their deal...as you would expect you exchange paying peter to pay paul for the info provided...best thing you could ever do is find out a reasonable per square foot building cost for the quality and type of structure you need...some say the "going rate" is around $150/ft for custom residential with all bells and whistles...maybe 100 for low end specs...it was a whole bunch lower than that just 2 or 3 years ago...and with the market like it is per/ft prices should be receding like home prices are...but are they?...u-decide...good luck

I would not expect construction prices to drop any lower. While labor may be slightly lower now because there is not as much competition, materials are the major cost. Wood is at a good price right now, but PVC (oil based), steel, and concrete are high and not expected to change. The major cause for this aside from the oil prices, is the worldwide construction market (China) and the weak dollar.

Also, I don't think your $150/ft estimate for custom residential is accurate. I'd say that is a more accurate price for a mid-grade home--granite, mid-grade stainless appliances, hard wood, etc. To get "all the bells and whistles" is variable, but consider that it is not uncommon to spend $40,000-$50,000+ just on high end windows and doors, and you get the picture.

[scooterbug44]

$150 for bells and whistles seems quite low. I was questioning Ubuildit's price estimate of $130 for slab on grade w/ you acting as your own contractor.

Most upper end new houses are more in the $200-350 range. I think Alys was doing $515 for their construction costs, but I might be confusing that w/ the selling price. Rated windows & doors, hurricane clips, appliances, stainless steel fasteners, etc. all add up fast!

[Busta Hustle]

might be a good idea to start with a couple of questions: 1: What is a fair percentage of general contractor mark up(over and above materials and labor)? 2: On those material cost, how much are they additionally marked up by my contractor?

[beachmouse]

There's new builder construction going into Crestview in the $130/sf range- $150K for an 1100 square foot home including lot. Take out the land costs, and the numbers work. Though you're talking el cheapo fixtures and finish.

Sample home-

http://www.emeraldcoasthomesonline.com/(fp0xdinxcvgwuiq3tw3c3ban)/propertyDetails.aspx?mls=448566

You're also honestly probably going to pay a surcharge for just about any subcontractor coming into Destin or SoWal just because the subs feel like they can charge a higher priace at the beach than in inland areas.

One other thing to think about is the end of the Panhandle exemption to the state building code for wind-borne debris. Governor Perma-tan (hey, I like Charlie, but you gotta admit he looks weird) is just about to sign a bill ending the exemption, and that's going to cause some of your construction costs to go up.

[scooterbug44]

might be a good idea to start with a couple of questions: 1: What is a fair percentage of general contractor mark up(over and above materials and labor)? 2: On those material cost, how much are they additionally marked up by my contractor?

I'm used to a 15% markup/management fee for residential contractors south of the bay.

I am very familiar w/ how to build a house in Sowal, I am trying to find out how U-build-it works.

[Busta Hustle]

Bill Crawford 850-650-5039 is the u-build-it rep...

[scooterbug44]

I'm looking for the non-party line.

I used Ubuildit and it rocked/sucked etc.

[Smiling JOe]

There is nothing like building multiple homes to know the going rates for sub contractors. If they know you are green, and I'm not talking about environmentally friendly, some subs will increase their price and profits.

[Joefromseagrove]

County Commissioner Larry Jones is/was the project manager for U-buildit. I bet that helps with the permit pulling.:D

[Smiling JOe]

County Commissioner Larry Jones is/was the project manager for U-buildit. I bet that helps with the permit pulling.:D
I really don't understand this. John R states that U-BuildIt is located in Destin, next to Best Buy. That is Okaloosa County, not Walton Co. Comm. Jones is a WalCo Commissioner. Please help me understand what you are talking about.

[scooterbug44]

They do business in Walton Co. as well.

[Smiling JOe]

They do business in Walton Co. as well.but that still doesn't explain why Larry Jones would be the project manager.

[scooterbug44]

Because it's his job/franchise?

[Uncle Timmy]

Scooterbug,

The U-buildit folks came by our office to talk to us about their business. Overall, I felt it was a viable option for certain people.

A couple thoughts I had:

-Probably best for someone who has had a home built for them before (with a contractor) and is familiar with the basic process.

-It will require a lot of your personal time, and is best for someone who can devote enough time to it.

-Being an organized person is crucial.

If you don't fall into any of those categories, I would advise you to consider a more standard route.



Oh, -and that opinion is coming from a residential architect, for what that is worth!

[Smiling JOe]

County Commissioner Larry Jones is/was the project manager for U-buildit. I bet that helps with the permit pulling.:D


:floor:Now I see. I finally found Larry on their site.
He is their Crestview Rep.
http://www.ubuildit.com/offices/florida/crestview/images/billcrawford_staffphoto_000.jpg
Larry Jones, UBuildIt-Crestview’s chief Construction Consultant is a lifelong resident of Mossy Head Florida. He has been active in the home building industry in the local area for more than 12 years and has managed the complete construction process of nearly 250 homes. Larry is your cheerful guide and mentor, safely taking you step-by-step through the planning and building process. Larry says, ”Let me guide you and show you how to manage your project just like a professional, and let’s have fun while we’re at it, you’ll truly be amazed at what we can accomplish together”!

[Rambunkscious]

Well if you were going in for brain surgery, I dont think you would be getting any bids. Thusly on the cost to build your home, it is a mistake to put the price as the first item on your list. Certainly your house and lot has to be built for the appraised value or less, but to think you can get a quality product at a bargain price is unrealistic. Imput = Output. Also, most good builders are just as selective about their client as their client is about them.
They will only use certain plans, ones that reflect on their ability to build beautiful, sound, and quality products that will stand the test of time. If you go out and pay upwards of half million $ on a decent lot and do a poor job of selecting a building contractor and use the wrong parameters in your choosing selection, you will most likely regret it. It is wise to build in this "down time"
because the slower pace will result in more deliberate quality.