Looking for advice on how to negotiate a custom build contract.
HU-288508758
3 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (12)
User
3 years agorobin0919
3 years agoRelated Discussions
How much % can you negotiate down with a custom builder these day
Comments (8)Topman-- There may be more wiggle room depending on the builder. This was just one experience. We had a builder C but I wasn't as confident in his work so we didn't try to talk him down. Builder A for us at this point is Schumacher Homes--they will build their plans or yours (we thought they only built their plans). At this point, we've upgraded to all the preferred brands of the bells & whistles we want and we're coming in way under Builder B who had downgraded everything. They work very hard upfront to confirm all your specs so there are no surprises along the way and then they guarantee the cost to build. If you come in underbudget on your allowances, you get that credited back at closing (i.e. appliances come in under budget). If the cost of sheetrock or lumber or anything else they're supplying goes up, they eat the extra cost. As with any build, if you make changes along the way expect a change order fee. We worried about quality, but from what we saw when we toured their model yesterday the quality was there (at least with our local office). So you may want to try your local Schumacher & see what they have to offer. Even though they're a national company, you really have to judge them by their local work as they use local subs not national ones....See MoreKitchen Remodeling Contract Negotiations
Comments (23)lazygardens and debrak - Thanks for the support! Snookums - Those are the numbers he provided. The cabinets I couldn't believe. They are a small company from a rural area, family owned. Everything is hand-crafted and gorgeous. Glowing reviews. I didn't even know they existed. If I did I might have just subcontracted everything and done it myself. The man from the cabinet place seemed to be like the only one who knew what I wanted. He provided a detailed estimate with comments and came to my home to explain how they would install and have me inspect everything prior to installation. We thought about dropping the contractor and just working with him and finding other companies for granite, etc. Since he works through our contractor, I doubt he would sabotage his relationship just to do our cabinets or else I would ask him. Certain things like the granite are special pricing because the company has a deal with contractors on 6 types of granite (also my friend's parents happen to own the company which I didn't know at the time). For the flooring and backsplash, I talked with the company directly and that is what she quoted for material and installation for our size kitchen. Everything else the contractor will be doing. Kitchen Size = 20' x 10'. It is an awkward shape. JoaniePoanie - I'm afraid of the idea of overages. Also, he charged the $500 at the beginning of the "design and final estimate" process. It was after his ball park estimate. His ball park was looking at the kitchen and spitting out a number (it was free). Gooster - Those are the numbers he provided. Cabinets, Flooring and Backsplash, and Granite are all separate companies he works with. Also, I think it is worth mentioning last year we researched several contractors. Received estimates from about 4. And we only liked two. It was funny the other company we liked gave us a figure of $24.5k (detailed and precise). However, we liked this guy better because he lives in our community, felt it would be easier to work with him, and he came in at our budget around $18k (rough estimate). Sorry for the super long posts. But I know I like nitty gritty details. :)...See MoreHow many meetings with custom home builder before signing contract?
Comments (13)We have a gem of a builder! We knew he was the "right one" after the second meeting. That said, he has worked with us through three separate house plans. The first ones were drafted before we met him, and it was b/c we decided to shop the plans after getting what we thought was an inflated price from the GC/Developer we had purchased the lot from that we met him; those plans were scrapped for a variety of reasons -- too many design compromises were going to leave us w/a nice house, but not the same house we had envisioned for 8 months. We worked with/our "now" builder through two more sets of plans (a departure and finally our third and final plan that represents the best of both worlds!) We logged more than 200 hours of meetings w/our "now" builder before ever signing a contract -- and that doesn't count the hours he accompanied us at the Architect, building supply, millwork shop, window vendor, etc. He stood by us through a lengthy sales process for our former residence and an unexpected change in employment. It's not like we're not his only build, he has 7-8 going right now, but I still get daily calls and texts w/progress reports, am welcome at the building site "anytime," and usually meet 1-2 times a week at the site (including weekends!) just to recap what has been done and prep for what is coming up next. This is the way he treats all his builds! We feel absolutely blessed and are so very grateful to have him heading up our build. Everything really does happen for a reason -- even though you usually lose sight of that when you're in the midst of things. Best of luck to you on your build!...See MoreWhat does a custom cabinetry contract look like?
Comments (25)See this thread. It's an older thread, but it's still relevant. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2703739/what-to-specify-when-asking-for-custom-cabinet-bid E.g., All drawers in the base cabinets What hardware is going to be used? Hinge hardware? Drawer hardware? IMO, full-extension drawers are a must, soft-close is a nice to have. Pantry...Do you really want two 24"W x 24"D pantry cabinets? They're arguably the least useful pantry solution. Why? Things can easily get lost in deep & wide shelving, especially above waist high. You are not going to get 24" pullouts, they would be too heavy; you'll probably get roll out tray shelves (ROTS). [The difference? Pullouts are attached to the doors and pullout when the doors are pulled out. ROTS are shelves that you have to individually pull out yourself once the doors are opened.] While deep and wide by themselves aren't as much of an issue, it's when you combine them into one cabinet that they become an issue of usability. What's better? Pullout pantries no more than 18" wide. With the narrower width, they can be pull outs and you can see everything with a glance on one side and then the other. There's no need to root around in the shelves trying to find something in the depths (like you would have to do with wide and deep pantry cabinets) [You could, for example, have two 18" wide pullout pantries and one 12" wide utility or pantry pullout in your 4' space with a bit of rearranging or just split them up with 18"+12" on one side & 18" on another side.] The best overall are reach-in/step-in/walk-in pantries with 12"D shelves (the "sweet spot" for pantry shelves), with reach-in probably the best in terms of space -- just deep enough to reach in but no space taken up with aisles. These pantries are "drywalled" as opposed to cabinets. You can utilize the entire space, floor-to-ceiling and can see everything at a glance without having to open/close doors and ROTS/drawers repeatedly until you find what you want. Other comments: I would move the DW to the other side of the sink so it's not directly across from the cooktop Move the DW as far over as possible, then sink Move the trash to the other side. You want to maximize counterspace on the non-DW side of the sink because that's your Prep Zone. The Prep Zone should have at least 36" of clear space, with 42" or more much better I would try for a 48-inch aisle b/w the island and cooktop wall because all three primary work zones (Prep, Cooking, Cleanup) are crammed into a small space. And then there's the seating...you can only fit THREE seats. Two seats cannot share a corner. Each seat needs at least 24" of linear space and 15" of clear leg/knee overhang space....See MoreDavid Cary
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoHU-288508758
3 years agoHU-288508758
3 years agorrah
3 years agoCharles Ross Homes
3 years agoHU-288508758
3 years agores2architect
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agocpartist
3 years agomillworkman
3 years ago
Related Stories
CONTRACTOR TIPSWhat to Look for in a Contractor's Contract
10 basic ingredients for a contract will help pave the way to remodel happiness
Full StoryLATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALSThe Deadly Sins of Contract Negotiation
In this webinar, executive coach Shawn Doyle shares insights into 8 common negotiation blunders and how to avoid them
Full StoryCONTRACTOR TIPSBuilding Permits: What to Know About Green Building and Energy Codes
In Part 4 of our series examining the residential permit process, we review typical green building and energy code requirements
Full StorySMALL HOMESYou Probably Didn’t Know an RV Could Look This Good
A Florida designer renovates a used RV, building in a workspace that allows her and her husband to travel half the year
Full StoryBATHROOM MAKEOVERSBathroom of the Week: Smart Storage and a Fresh Look
A design-build team helps Arizona homeowners declutter and get organized in a bright transitional room
Full StoryTINY HOUSESHouzz Tour: A Custom-Made Tiny House for Skiing and Hiking
Ethan Waldman quit his job, left his large house and spent $42,000 to build a 200-square-foot home that costs him $100 a month to live in
Full StoryLATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALS‘Help Clients Narrow Down Choices’ and Other Advice From Pros
Home design and building professionals share tips they learned from recently completed projects
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNA Furniture Look for Your Bathroom Vanity
Give your vanity custom style with carved legs, molding and furniture details
Full StoryPRO TIPSSet Your Business Apart by Building Your Brand Online and Off
Check out these tips for getting noticed by homeowners looking to hire pros
Full StoryDESIGN PRACTICEContracting Practice: Marketing Your Business
To keep those projects rolling in, combine old-school techniques with the latest in high-tech networking
Full Story
suedonim75