From: one-if-by-land@concord.com
"Kris Krieger" wrote in message
news:ismdnbyeC57CtJXVnZ2dnUVZ_oKhnZ2d@earthlink.com...
> "Don" wrote in
> news:fu8f0a02mv6@news3.newsguy.com:
>
>>
>> "Kris Krieger" wrote in message
>> news:Gp-dnVSkIuZM55rVnZ2dnUVZ_gOdnZ2d@earthlink.com...
>>> Hello, Group,
>>>
>>> OK, I'm trying to talk my cousin into at least considering having her
>>> own place built. She lives in the general area of Greenville, South
>>> Carolina.
>>>
>>> The goofy thing is that I don't know how to give her *practical* info
>>> re: the process, how to apporach an architect or architectural
>>> designer, how to
>>> even find one (she can't spend months just driving around looking for
>>> houses she likes and THEN hunt down who migh thave designed them -
>>> she simply won't and can't).
>>>
>>> So, my question is,
>>> If you were faced with a total and complete rube, with only a modest
>>> budget, is there an informational website such a person could look
>>> at, or what would you tell them?
>>>
>>> I'd really like to get her thinking about this, because she's
>>> rejected it as an option and IMO that is a mistake, especially given
>>> that she does not want to be in a typical suburban development and
>>> needs a single-level home (for accessibility - she can't deal with
>>> stairs well and is decreasingly able to do so).
>>>
>>> I'd like to give her info but I don't know what practical,
>>> nuts'n'bolts, "here's how you get started" info to give her (because
>>> I'm long on theory and really short on practicalities she can
>>> actually use).
>>>
>>> Many thanks in Advance!
>>>
>>> - K.
>>
>>
>> Well first off I'd have to ask, why are you trying to limit her to
>> just one segment of the design arena?
>> Most homes aren't designed by architects.
>
> Because I have not got Clue One as to how to find disigners, or design-
> build firms, in her area. Also, I told her I'd send along additional
> info as I could find it.
>
>> If it were me, I'd find a contractor and then ask him for a designer
>> referral.
>> How would I find a contractor?
>> I'd drive to the property where I was wanting to build and pay
>> attention to the homes under construction along the way, and I'd write
>> down the names/numbers of some of them and contact them for an initial
>> consultation. SHE, the potential homeowner HAS to put some effort into
>> it. Or she can just buy a typical cookie cutter that will recognize 3%
>> growth in investment over the next 10 years, if she's lucky.
>
> Well, she keeps complaining about her current cookie-cutter domicile,
> which is why I'm trying to do some of this for her. The thing is that
> for her, all of this is as unknown as the surface of the moon. SHe's
> rejected building out-of-hand, which IMO is foolish - this is why I'm
> looking for what could be described as "The Dummy's Guide to Building a
> Home". In a way, I'm pushing her a bit, because it *is* fairly unknown
> to her and I don't want her to unnecessarily cut herself short so to
> speak.
>
> At the same time, I'm in Houston, TX, she's in the general vicinity of
> Greenville, SC - and I've never been out there. So, I have no idea what
> is or isn't being built, what the land situation is, or really, anything.
>
> That being said, I will pass along what you suggested above, thanks!
>
> I'm also not clear on the rules concerning peple from one state designing
> for people in another state - I'd assume there could be problems with
> finding fgood local contractors and supervising the project...
The contractor is the person that gets stuff done and it doesn't matter who
is in line before or after him if he's worth his salt.
I know of hundreds of contractors and subs but there are only 2 that I would
ever refer to anyone because for 20+ years they have shown continuously that
they can do what needs to happen no matter the obstacles or challenges. Both
of them were originally referred to me and they have been my clients from
the beginning.
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
|
