Category Archives: Owner Builder vs. Contractor

Getting the Most Precise Plumbing Bid – Hindsight is Always Better Than 20/20

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Jo-Lynn Jansen

NOTE: A random reader (bitter, superior-feeling “builder”) of this post left a highly abusive comment regards how a plumbing job SHOULD be done, calling me a bunch of unflattering names and saying that I didn’t deserve help from anyone for my “problems” because … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessible Home Building, Buying construction materials as Owner Builder, Construction Material Bargains, new construction plumbing problems, Owner Builder Challenges, Owner Builder vs. Contractor | Tagged , | Leave a comment

First Inspection Today

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Jo-Lynn Jansen

So the rain kind of let up and, aside from about 30 minutes of flurries, there hasn’t been any snow to speak of, so the remainder of the footings were set. Inspection will be today — not sure when, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction Management, Construction Research, Owner Builder Challenges, Owner Builder Construction, Owner Builder vs. Contractor | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Anxiety and Irritation Followed By Some Semblance of Normalcy

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Jo-Lynn Jansen

Woohoo! Another $500 savings! Just found out the building permit is coming in under the estimates we were given at intake! I DO love saving money! 🙂 I’ve gotten an email from our plan designer/original builder pushing (kind of demanding, … Continue reading →

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Gathering Speed and Getting Clear

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Jo-Lynn Jansen

At midnight a couple of nights ago, I had finally tallied all the numbers for bids I’d collected to mirror the work included in the panelized builder’s package price. The gap was in excess of $150K. They were waiting for … Continue reading →

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Still an Owner-Builder, Even With a Construction Manager

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Jo-Lynn Jansen

Okay, so I was thinking about my last post when I announced that we would begin working with a GC/construction manager in order to secure our construction financing. I’m sure that this doesn’t fit the purest form of O-B, but in … Continue reading →

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Tipping Point

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Jo-Lynn Jansen

It’s been a busy last week or so. My research and bidding process is in absolute full swing. The gap between the original builder’s bid and the reality that I’m confirming for myself is coming into focus more clearly with each passing … Continue reading →

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Hope I’m Not Shooting Myself in the Foot!

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Jo-Lynn Jansen

My head’s a little spinny… I’m not sure whether to call the building department now and raise someone’s antennae, or just get the permit in my hand and figure out what to do next… The panelized builder who drew up … Continue reading →

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Giant, Fact-Filled Recap!

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Jo-Lynn Jansen

OK, so we spent a year looking for a lot in King County, WA. Man, the prices are really high as are the taxes. Sometimes I wonder whether it’s brilliant to take on this kind of financial burden at our … Continue reading →

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