How do you negotiate with a builder?

[8mpg]

Is there a preferred type of dirt? should I try to find the same type of dirt from the area?

Any clean fill dirt should be fine. If you get to pick, dont take the clay. Honestly, you may be able to negotiate a better price being you need so much. Dont forget, the dirt is what your house sits on and supports the foundation. May be worth it to pinch pennies elsewhere. Also, for foundation life, you need to keep the soil consistent as the day they poured it. Watering foundations when the pour was in a drought will cause problems just as well. Its easier to try and keep it dry with gutters and sloping the soil away from the house.

FWIW.. I went to a Drees model house today to pick up their price list for their plans and they were averaging $103/ft build on your lot. The lady said there is some negotiation room in there as well. The fiance and I love their "Marley" plan which is 4100sqft one story house. Some of their two story houses were $98ish/sqft. Their designs in my opinion were nicer than Our Country Homes (still like them) and will be cheaper.

[War Machine]

If your builder speaks good english, then he's going to want too much

[fordracing19]

Very nice plan Tim. Good price if the finish out is like the pics.

[GeorgeG.]

The Marley plan is nice. I'm going to check them out in the next few days.

[David]

Damn those are some big houses.

[GeorgeG.]

Damn those are some big houses.

I noticed that too. If they can shrink that down to about 3K sq feet, then I'll be happy.

[ceyko]

Insulation and energy efficient cooling/heating. I have a 4200ish sq ft home and it's cheaper to heat/cool than my prior 2500 sq ft home.

[sdun]

A lot of the houses lately have been chemical injected with piers and a post tension slab. Injection is around 10k. It all depends on the soil report.

[marcs95gt]

Is there a preferred type of dirt? should I try to find the same type of dirt from the area?

If your trying to build up a pad. The engineer may want select fill. I haul dirt. Thats what i haul to a lot of house pads

[marcs95gt]

I also am a masonry contractor. I work for several custom home builders. Let me know and i can refer you a couple.

[David]

I have a hard time figuring out what I'd do with all that space

[8mpg]

Damn those are some big houses.

Im kinda forced to. Deed restrictions on my property say 3500sqft minimum. Bigger than I want but even at 4000ft, my house would be the smallest in the neighborhood.

[GeorgeG.]

A lot of the houses lately have been chemical injected with piers and a post tension slab. Injection is around 10k. It all depends on the soil report.

It's been suggested to go with piers in addition to the PT slab. Once we get to the soil test, and depending on cost, I may look into it further. It wasn't referred to injection piers though, just drilling the holes, adding rebar and filling.

If your trying to build up a pad. The engineer may want select fill. I haul dirt. Thats what i haul to a lot of house pads

Any chance you know where to find a bunch of good dirt and can haul it to Van Alstyne, or would want to? My brother and I have a lead on about 20 loads that might be free. We're hoping we can get it. He's pretty sure he has access to a truck and loader. However, we found out that someone in the dirt business has their eyes on it too. We'll see how it pans out.

We're not quite sure if we'll be going with the builder route just yet. Same brother knows a GC that does it for 10% - 15% as mentioned earlier in this thread. I'm going to check out a couple of houses that he built. I'll keep in you mind.

[Gasser64]

I also am a masonry contractor. I work for several custom home builders. Let me know and i can refer you a couple.

Got any pics of your previous masonry work?

[GeorgeG.]

Welp, The dirt is available...I have no means to move it (cheap).