We've been interviewing builders all summer long and researching references and contacts in the area. We are interested in working with someone local and creating an example of how an efficient house can be built. While there are contractors in Duluth and Minneapolis that are dabbling in these projects, there's no one that has done this type of construction in our area.
We have talked with larger builders, medium size builders, and small carpentry companies. We've debated between hiring a firm and generaling it ourselves.
Some companies were not a good fit. Our best filter is to find someone that is interested in learning how to build homes like this and is curious about how the house will perform. Mostly, we need someone with attention to details.
We are only looking to take the house to drywall - we'll finish the trim work and cabinetry in our own time. In order to keep costs down, we may do some of the work ourselves (like electrical, HVAC, plumbing - higher cost items that we are comfortable taking on ourselves).
The first builder gave an estimate of $153K if they were building to standard construction. Based on the systems they had to install to heat the building, we figured it was a wash with what we needed to do for extra insulation. The second builder gave an estimate of $286K. Seriously? It's only an 1100 square foot house.
We are going to finalize our plan and ask a couple of smaller builders to bid out the project. We found some we really like and hope it's a better working relationship than large companies that have multiple people directing the project and losing track of details that had been communicated along the way.
We have talked with larger builders, medium size builders, and small carpentry companies. We've debated between hiring a firm and generaling it ourselves.
Some companies were not a good fit. Our best filter is to find someone that is interested in learning how to build homes like this and is curious about how the house will perform. Mostly, we need someone with attention to details.
We are only looking to take the house to drywall - we'll finish the trim work and cabinetry in our own time. In order to keep costs down, we may do some of the work ourselves (like electrical, HVAC, plumbing - higher cost items that we are comfortable taking on ourselves).
The first builder gave an estimate of $153K if they were building to standard construction. Based on the systems they had to install to heat the building, we figured it was a wash with what we needed to do for extra insulation. The second builder gave an estimate of $286K. Seriously? It's only an 1100 square foot house.
We are going to finalize our plan and ask a couple of smaller builders to bid out the project. We found some we really like and hope it's a better working relationship than large companies that have multiple people directing the project and losing track of details that had been communicated along the way.