Building just a shell
rykeelty
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (35)
cpartist
8 years agorykeelty
8 years agoRelated Discussions
To remove shells or not to remove shells
Comments (2)The soil under the shells should be incredible! Nothing prepares soil like mulch. Whatever you do, do NOT rototill that area prior to installing the lawn....See MoreArchitect hiring question
Comments (16)For a minimal drafting fee, an architect should not normally be willing to put his/her name on a drawing because all states hold architects to a much higher standard of liability for the design of any kind of building even if an architect's services are not required by law. The presence of an architect's name on a set of drawings could actually make him/her responsible for the mistakes of others if it is not made clear in the contract what parts of the design the architect is not responsible for especially if he/she was not hired to provide construction phase services. But even if the scope of services is clear in the contract, the architect can still be a sitting duck for 3rd party claims because of his/her liability insurance. Most claims are made against all of the insured parties regardless of responsibility or fault in the hope that the various insurance companies will settle within the various deductible amounts and then be able to raise their rates making a profit from everyone's loss. Therefore, what a homeowner might ask/expect of an architect and what a court might hold him/her responsible for can be quite different. This is why architects often will not provide drafting-only services unless they are either very inexperienced or desperate for work. In other words, it is much safer (in terms of liability for 3rd party claims) for an uninsured, unlicensed draftsman to try to expand his/her architectural services than for an architect to scale his/her services back to drafting only. If that makes sense, it might help to better explain why an architect's fee for a homeowner pre-designed structure might be higher than the market will to bear....See MoreBuild own cabinet shell or buy custom. Whats the cost difference
Comments (2)Do a search on this forum for "RTA cabinets" (RTA stands for ready to assemble). There should be a few threads that would help you....See MoreOwner-Builder (Or 'shell only' construction?) Loans in Arizona?
Comments (12)@Cpartist - Yes, a watertight habitable shell, with plumbing and electrical hook ups. I will be installing the fixtures, ie: showers, toilets, tubs, lights, etc. myself. I know how to do a lot of the interior work so I don't want to take out more money than I need and go into debt paying someone to do work I know how to do. @ B Carey - I think what I am asking for is technically called a "Shell only loan," but I am finding that term is being interpreted differently by different people. So what I am looking for is the funding to complete phases of the project, even if I want to hire subcontractors to help with some of the work. I guess I want to go into as little debt as possible. I'd be willing to do a true "owner builder" loan that is financed by the bank by taking out a larger loan and just using the contractors for the really serious portions (Foundation, electric, framing, etc), and then using the rest of the money to finance the work I want to do on my own. That would probably actually be best. I am in my 20s, I don't have a 401k. I just sold the home I did have for $525k. I have gotten approved for a personal loan already, however, (1) The bank caps their personal loans at $35k, and (2) I would prefer to take out a loan that turns into a 15 year mortgage because the interest rates are a lot lower than they are on unsecured personal loans. I purchased the land for $50k but I do not know how the bank would value the land. Can you explain the thought process behind taking out a land loan on land I already own? Thanks for the response...See Moremrspete
8 years agomushcreek
8 years agorykeelty
8 years agomushcreek
8 years agoUser
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agocpartist
8 years agomojomom
8 years agoBrian 's
8 years agoIchabod Crane
8 years agohtwo82
8 years agorwiegand
8 years agorykeelty
8 years agokudzu9
8 years agogeoffrey_b
8 years agomushcreek
8 years agonet420
8 years agosis33
8 years agomushcreek
8 years agonet420
8 years agogeoffrey_b
8 years agonet420
8 years agosis33
8 years agoBrian 's
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoBrian 's
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agonet420
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoSunny Days
8 years agomushcreek
8 years agoBrian 's
8 years agomushcreek
8 years agoSunny Days
8 years agonet420
8 years agonet420
8 years ago
Related Stories
COMMUNITYCommunity Building Just About Anyone Can Do
Strengthen neighborhoods and pride of place by setting up more public spaces — even small, temporary ones can make a big difference
Full StoryLIGHTINGCapiz Shells Become a Fixture
Translucent shells add a pearlescent glow to your lighting and a romantic, beachy or glamorous look to your home
Full StoryFURNITUREModern Icons: Eames Shell Chair
Eames' Comfy Shell Chair Adds Welcome Curves, Wire or Wood to a Room
Full StoryPRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: Pearls Come Out of Their Shells at Home
Scatter these pearl-inspired pieces around for shine, elegance and more than a bit of glam
Full StoryARCHITECTUREDesign Workshop: Just a Sliver (of Window), Please
Set the right mood, focus a view or highlight architecture with long, narrow windows sited just so on a wall
Full StoryGREEN DECORATINGGo Cuckoo for Coconut Furniture and Surfaces
Crack open a lesser-known ecofriendly design option: tiles, flooring, tables and more made from coconut shell and palm wood
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN10 Reasons to Love Banquettes (Not Just in the Kitchen)
They can dress up a space or make it feel cozier. Banquettes are great for kids, and they work in almost any room of the house
Full StoryLIFEAge Is Just a Number: Houzzers’ Homes Old and New
Hear the stories behind homes ages 1 to 171, then share yours
Full Story
mushcreek