...we had a guy in a large metro area do them -- actually advertises online that he does plans nationwide...its not that the house is too difficult--its just that it is more than an a frame....we would not recommend our designer as he gave very little input into helping us..if we wanted a room 3ft x 30ft - he would have drawn it. when we asked for advice on room size (if 6 inches here or there made a big difference) he never gave a good response. we designed the rooms and went from there --- (from one of the other threads -- it has a Garrell look as it looks on the outside like the Amicalola plan... We have gotten quotes on everything from vinyl windows to marvin windows...flooring...granite counter tops...appliances...and so forth. had a kitchen designer work with us on the kitchen and priced out some Shiloh cabinets--- low $20's i agree with the digging though-- its one thing to paint--- another to go buy the materials and prepare for a foundation to be poured thx for the input

The invoice from GC after lot clearing showed a 20% discount. New bill GC is asking for is for this 20% and cost of septic permit that was obtained. It is a proper amount if this had been a one time thing that would have been priced at Cost plus GC markup. terms of the verbal agreement between HO and GC has not been clear from the beginning so HO had one idea and GC must have had a different idea. In the end, GC claimed his discount was only in effect since he thought he would be the GC for a home building project and since he is not going to be the GC for the home build, its only fair he get paid the 20% markup he would have placed on that one job if it were to be his only job for the HO. In other words, GC priced lot clear as a seperate job with a discount from the rest of the build project since all was thinking that there would be a build project later on this lot for GC. Lot clear was paid in cash in full before actual build was to take place so build would be priced as only the build with no lot clear. Since no build project for this GC now, he feels like he should be paid the 20% markup he would have charged. It amounts to around 2k. Bad business on GC part. Shame on HO for not insisting on a contract with everything in writing so they would all be on the same page. HO feels its fair to pay regardless of lien since all were hoping to conduct a build project with the GC anyway. Its simply HO learned some things about GC that they did not like before any contract was made and felt the need to look elsewhere for a GC for the project.

Your contractor is a petty and silly man, and does not have a legal leg to stand on. The gist of the contract is that you can choose him to do the work and you pay him, or you choose to do the work and he credits your contract that amount. How you choose to do the work...by yourself, with your spouse, with a neighbor, or hire it out to a third-party...is non of the GC's business. Contract language in and of itself can't be overly one-sided. Well, the language can, but that language won't be enforced in a court of law. It all comes down to "reasonable interpretation", and your GC's is being unreasonable. You simply have a disagreement. Proceed as you wish and let him take you to court afterward. The likelihood of him doing that is virtually nil. As Casey, wrote, though, be careful. If your new subs slow him down, he can walk away while you get your ducks in line and he can delay the completion of your project. Mongo

Give him your support. If you want to help him with something useful, work together to determine what it would be. Nothing worse than a gift that misses the mark by even a little, especially if it's expensive. Maybe he could use some training on the computer? Does he, or you, know what he doesn't know? From what I understand he will be overseeing new homes from the ground up. Not necessarily having employees but contracting out the different stages (framing, electrical, plumbing, etc) Part of being supportive is learning and understanding exactly what he does. Here is a listing of gift idea videos by a builder for a builder https://www.youtube.com/user/MattRisinger/search?query=gift