Any General Contractors here?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

Anyone have experience with pre-fab housing?

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. What's the question ?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. thinking about doing the pre-fab thing ...

Have you heard of Anderson Homes?

I am a divorced woman on my own and wondering what I need to look out for.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

3. Oh ,that's a tough one.

Can you do a little research into pre fabs ,the good with the bad ,and get back with the question. I have a client who's father had one put up in a vacation spot. One of the old mans cronies talked him into it. This client is a machinist by trade and wonders what the hell is going on in the building industry with those pre fabs. In short he hates it. On the other hand it's OK. The cost of it. They just put about twenty two grand into it. It sets on a foundation and has a basement.They finished off the basement. I can obtain those blue prints ,but I'm not even sure if I would care to look that far into it.

I started out as a framer ,carpenter -, For years I carried pouch's in my nail belt full of 8 and 10 penny nails ,tape measure,chalk line, line level ,stud straightener, framing hammer. And reloaded those nail pouch's any number of time during the work day. That's before the nail guns and compressor.

Sometimes it's hard to like pre fab. Other times it makes my job much less of a strain.

I wouldn't want to say anything one way or the other until you have looked into it further on your own.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. 22 grand?? was that a turn-key job??

what was the square footage?

I am in a twenty yr old trailer right now. I need to do something and I am afraid to tackle a custom built home on my own. I don't think I could afford that. I need to keep my house payment at $500.oo a month.

22 grand sounds un-real to me, especailly in these times.

[Robb]

5. There are ways to save money

I take it you want to stay on the land you're on?

I saved a bundle years ago with "plan in a can" stuff out of a home plans magazine. A few hundred bucks, just had to make sure the plans were to code in my area. Keep it small, keep it cheap, and you'll be happier in the long run.

That said, for the money you might find a bargain somewhere on a new modular. :shrug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. Yes, I have the land.

I am not a carpenter, electrician or a plumber. I already have a well and septic tank on the property from when I installed the trailer. The road is in.

I will have to pay for everything to be done.

Should I try to sub-contract this out myself or should I trust the people they use.

I am going to their office in town (Anderson, I think) later this week. I will know more then.

[Robb]

7. If you're out in the sticks (as I was until this year)

...Maybe pay a visit to the building department while you're in town. Talk to the folks in that office about what they've seen work well for less money. A good friendly "pick your brain" visit, plus you'll meet the folks who'll be processing your permits.

In a smaller community, town hall's a great place to pick up advice. Heck, the building guys might not tell you, but other offices might be willing to dish on who's good at their jobs in construction nearby.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. ok...thanks --

I may have more questions as this progresses.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

9. No, 22 grand was to sheet rock

the unfinished basement. There was some framing involved. They paid a lot more than 22 grand for the house. The 22 grand was to finish off the unfinished parts of the basement. do you have a location picked out for the house? just read through it, it looks like you do. Simply compare their cost of putting it up to at least three other bids by builders.That's all you have to do.That and choose.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. ok. Got it. Take their bid and get 3 other "estimates" and compare

them against each other. I have to admit that I am afraid of getting ripped off. A woman, not knowing a lot about constuction...kind of like taking my car to the mechanic. Know what I mean.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

11. You need to understand the estimate

and know something about cost over ride and how it is written into the contract. What you don't want to do is pick the lowest bid and have the cost escalate to twice or more than the original bid. You know, like the dentist quotes a price ,you go for it, than the cost triples.The builders bid has to come in to completion same as Anderson's people ,with out cost elevation. You want a lawyer to go over the contract before you commit.

You should do a little inter net search on people that have had pre fab houses built. Read about their experiences and seek some of their advice through those experiences. Some may say, if I were to do it over again, this is how I would go about it, given what I know now.

Do the home work and you will do just fine.
And find builders to bid it that have built a number of pre fab homes.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. Got it. Thanks. I may be back in this thread in a week or two

with some more questions :D :blush: :hi:

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

13. I'll be around for ya!

And good luck !