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boaterbob
Premium Member
join:2005-08-01
Moncks Corner, SC

boaterbob to 35245635

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Re: Any tips for building a new home?

When the job is finished and before the builder asks for his final draw/payment, have him sign a letter/form that he has paid *ALL* his subs in full. That will ensure that he does not get all your money but failed to pay any subs who then file a lien on your property - which either you will need to pay or you will need to pay an attorney to go after the builder to clear (pay) the subs to clear the liens.

Make sure all your wiring for computer/TV, etc equipment with proper termination fittings is defined up front. Specify any special lumber bracing you want in addition to normal stuff - cross beam to secure the bracket for the big screen TV, etc.

If you want a certain brand paint to be used - say so in writing.

Keep records of *EVERYTHING* with pictures of everything that will be covered by drywall, etc - plumbing, electrical, whatever. Sometime you will want to know 'what's behind this wall' before you drill into the wall - good pictures help! Make a computer record with pics and notes - easy to search in later years.
averagedude
join:2002-01-30
San Diego, CA

2 edits

averagedude

Member

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moms house
When my mom rebuilt after the fire, she paid the general his fee for over seeing the project, but she paid each sub-contractors directly and had each sign a release before the final payment.

Yea, it meant she wrote lots of checks, but with lots of checks comes lots of paper work and documentation in case anything went wrong.

Don't for a minute think that a 74 year old 4'6' frail old lady with only a high school education can't go toe to toe with a contractor. Those poor contractor fools who thought she was an easy mark...I still chuckle....they went in with low numbers thinking they could change order up the price...still chuckling...if she said dance, they danced.

She knew the real power was in the power of the purse.

Edit:
added pic to show how well it turned out.

JRW2
R.I.P. Mom, Brian, Gary, Ziggy, Max.
Premium Member
join:2004-12-20
La La Land

1 recommendation

JRW2

Premium Member

said by averagedude:

added pic to show how well it turned out.



Why does she have a big "A" by the front door????

John Galt6
Forward, March
Premium Member
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp

John Galt6 to boaterbob

Premium Member

to boaterbob
said by boaterbob:

When the job is finished and before the builder asks for his final draw/payment, have him sign a letter/form that he has paid *ALL* his subs in full. That will ensure that he does not get all your money but failed to pay any subs who then file a lien on your property - which either you will need to pay or you will need to pay an attorney to go after the builder to clear (pay) the subs to clear the liens.

The proper method is to get the contractor to obtain the lien releases from each of his vendors and subs. Have him provide a notarized document in advance of construction that lists all of the vendors and subs he intends on using.