Suggestions
Does anyone know of anyone that has created house plans that give you the most house for the least money?
Do you know of any company that has gotten all of the trades (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, framers, roofers, etc.) together and come up with a house plan that would save each trade time and money to perform their tasks?
Most of the "production" national builders have done just that.. ( KB Home, US Homes, Engle Homes etc.)
I am having on of them build quads for me. If you want to do youself, you may save some money. The small local buildrrs often have higher costs of materials and less control of their subs. I like them for other things, but not fast efficient building.
One thing I did was look for new stuff goingup that I liked and read the permit boards for the subs, the architect etc.
Building , for me is worth it.
[addsig]
Try Donald A Gardner, his reputation is producing space efficient attractive home plans.
So lets look at some cost saving ideas with a SF rental unit in mind...3bd 2ba
1) Look at Cabin plan book they are $ft minded and floor plans tend to ba basic.
2)Hire a builder for an hour and buy him lunch.you can tell thel one that really love what they are doing as you can'/t write as fast as they can talk,and they can help you with cost per sq ft using their subs.
3)Heres a freebie make sure the bath are on a common wall (back to back)this saves man hours and the water heater always goes outside the living space perimiter walls(no clean up when it leaks)
4)Pay as soon as ****Must Reach Senior Investor status before posting URL's*** worked for Us homes in the early 80's they paid fast.
March is a good time to think about building as lumber prices will have returned to normal prices With the Iraq rebuild and the hurricane season plywood and lumber prices have ****Must Reach Senior Investor status before posting URL's*** may I paid about $11.00 sheet for 1/2" 5 ply roof sheeting and$ 5.85 for 7/16" OSB right now 7/16" is $19.80.
Hope this helps
Mike