Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you look for cheaper ways to source the stuff you'd be waiting on? If you pick out and purchase bathroom fixtures, tiles, lighting, etc. yourself, they'll be cheaper than if you had a contractor's markup on them. (though he might get discounts that you wouldn't.)

Most reputable builders will actually provide a line item for those things. My builder offered a line item for all those things and we spent much less than he allocated. Plus he got really good discounts on things like tile, flooring, etc.

We plan to source stuff ourselves but we'll still have to pay for them.

You mean hire contractors for individual projects instead of a general contractor? In that case you will probably get the best of both worlds. If you are fine waiting for the unfinished space and can get it permitted correctly, go for it!

I have friends in MD that did it that way. They lived on one floor for years as they finished the upstairs and spread into it. It is a beautiful house now worth much more. I don't see that this approach is they kind of big problem everyone is making it out to be.

We are doing this--finishing the space above the garage into an office for DH. The difference is that DH is a carpenter and our circle of really close friends includes other members of the trades. So a Sunday Redskins game with the guys might include running electricity for a few hours or hanging a few sheets of drywall before the game starts.

DH wanted to teach our son how to do the work. So it's slow going. But it's a father/son project. Along the way my son is learning basic plumbing, electrical, and HVAC skills.

Obviously it can be done. I think it's different when you have someone in the house that can just frame a wall after dinner. As we have money, we buy studs or electrical wiring and install it.

I don't know that I would want to do it this way if I was depending upon contractors to do the work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you look for cheaper ways to source the stuff you'd be waiting on? If you pick out and purchase bathroom fixtures, tiles, lighting, etc. yourself, they'll be cheaper than if you had a contractor's markup on them. (though he might get discounts that you wouldn't.)

Most reputable builders will actually provide a line item for those things. My builder offered a line item for all those things and we spent much less than he allocated. Plus he got really good discounts on things like tile, flooring, etc.

We plan to source stuff ourselves but we'll still have to pay for them.

Anonymous wrote:Could you look for cheaper ways to source the stuff you'd be waiting on? If you pick out and purchase bathroom fixtures, tiles, lighting, etc. yourself, they'll be cheaper than if you had a contractor's markup on them. (though he might get discounts that you wouldn't.)

Most reputable builders will actually provide a line item for those things. My builder offered a line item for all those things and we spent much less than he allocated. Plus he got really good discounts on things like tile, flooring, etc.

Could you look for cheaper ways to source the stuff you'd be waiting on? If you pick out and purchase bathroom fixtures, tiles, lighting, etc. yourself, they'll be cheaper than if you had a contractor's markup on them. (though he might get discounts that you wouldn't.)

I was told you can have it permitted as storage space and then you can have all the rough-ins for plumbing and electrical but are not required to have the fixtures in.

Anonymous wrote:We'll likely work the same way, as my DH is cheap and can't fathom dropping a ton of money at once. Yes, you can build a shell, but it has to pass inspection for electrical and plumbing. You can finish it when you have the $$$.

Who is your contractor?

In fairfax county you have one year from framing/electrical/plumbing until your final inspection shere the work should be complete.

My neighbor did a shell with a contractors and is finishing the inside on his own.

OP, we talked to many contractors, and they were all happy to work with us by just building the shell, drywall, necessary woodwork, plumbing and electrical.

I think it's a great idea in your circumstances.

We'll likely work the same way, as my DH is cheap and can't fathom dropping a ton of money at once. Yes, you can build a shell, but it has to pass inspection for electrical and plumbing. You can finish it when you have the $$$.

Who is your contractor?