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Posted by Kris Krieger on April 19, 2008, 1:52 pm
>
>>
>>>
>>>> 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.
I see - well, if, after going through what I send her, she gives any
indocation she's actually serious, I'll keep that in mind and ask for
their names.
- K.
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