Hiring a Contractor vs Building on Your Own

This debate has been going on about as long as whether the chicken or the egg came first. When it comes to this aspect of real estate, you will hear different opinions everywhere you turn. There are definitely pro’s and con’s for either option. The only way to truly know which one is better is to experience both firsthand. Knowing most people can’t do that, here are some tips to get you headed in the right direction.

One advantage of building on your own is being aware of exactly where every dime is going. You make all the purchases and decide exactly what portions of the house you want to splurge or save on. With a builder, you never really know what rates they get their supplies at and how much they are marking it up to you. No builder ever gives anything away for free even if they advertise so. Everything is already built into the price to begin with. Remember that builder’s are out to make a profit as well, not to save you money.

Also, when you are building a home yourself you know everything is done right. Sadly, many contractors are skimping on product quality in order to stay competitive and save a buck. By doing the work yourself, you know exactly how the house is put together and what products went into it. There won’t be any surprises later on and the only person to hold responsible in the end, is yourself.

With a contractor however, you don’t have to devote all your spare time to building the home. The only things your input is required on, is picking out the cosmetic features. This includes your flooring, lighting fixtures, knobs and handles, paint colors, etc. Many people consider this to be the “fun” part of building a home. Being able to sit back and give direction from the sidelines.

If you do decide to go with a contractor, be prepared for multiple delays. Builders are notorious for getting homes done much further out than initially agreed on. Sometimes it will take the homeowner pushing the builder every step of the way to get the home done in a timely manner. This can be very frustrating when you are so anxious to get moved in.

Your best option, if you decide on a contractor is to talk to other people. Find out if they liked their builder and if they had any problems. The best way to find a good contractor is simply by word of mouth. On the other hand, if you are up for a good project you can build your own custom home knowing the builder truly does have your best interest in mind.

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