How do you negotiate with a builder?

[ceyko]

I'm in Van Alstyne and need it about 3 miles West of FM121. Which I think has been my main hurdle with getting dirt out there cheap or free.

You on 3356?

There are two places that I've used.

1. There is that place on the east side of 75. Go out to 75, go north but stay on the service road. It's on the right side about a mile. I KNOW they deal in wood and stone, not 100% on dirt.

2. This is a place I had luck with for sand...

Johnny Weger Sand & Gravel
Address: 309 E Crawford St, Denison, TX 75021
Phone903) 465-2445
Hours: Open today · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Pretty sure I saw dirt when out there as well. Small group, but that maybe a plus.

You may have tried both already, but figured I'd throw them out there just in case.

It's like they say..."Dirt ain't cheap"

[8mpg]

Too heavy for my truck or the trailer?

According to the guy building up the pad, I need another 40 loads. That's not including a lot of additional dirt to improve the grading beyond the pad. Looking at the rate of compaction, I'd guess another 20 loads just to spread out.

I found a couple of sites in the past. That first dirt pile, the GC picked up on it quick and wanted to charge me to move it when I know he already included moving it in his bid. I have another lead in Frisco that I need to check out this afternoon.

I have a guy that can haul 2 loads at a time for $250. Which doesn't sound bad except that would be $5,000!! And that's just for the pad.



I'm in Van Alstyne and need it about 3 miles West of FM121. Which I think has been my main hurdle with getting dirt out there cheap or free.

That dirt is going to be too much weight for your truck and the trailer. Those trailers are usually made for 10k lbs which is closer to 5 yards of dirt. With all the rain, that dirt is going to be wet and heavy. Hell, a dump truck can only do 10-12 yards of dirt. Even less with sand due to the weight.

[GeorgeG.]

Thanks for the feedback. I was really hoping to save quite a bit by buying the equipment and then selling it later. But sounds like even if I hauled a little at a time, my truck won't have enough grunt to get the job done.

Ceyko, I'll call them and see what they say.

I've learned the dirt is free. All of these construction jobs need the dirt gone asap in most cases. What we're paying for is the service(trucks/time/fuel) to haul it.

[Blackpony]

Where is your land at? I am in the middle of gathering stuff to build a house in van alstyne. I only have a half ton truck myself, but if you need some help hauling dirt or what not I'd be happy to help out. I know there is a place east of McKinney off 380 that rents dump trailers.

[8mpg]

hit up craigslist... there are always people moving dirt and looking to get rid of it or make some money hauling it.

[JV106]

Hertz rents a little 6 to 8 yard dump that I believe does not require a CDL for under $2000/mo.

[ceyko]

I've learned the dirt is free. All of these construction jobs need the dirt gone asap in most cases. What we're paying for is the service(trucks/time/fuel) to haul it.

Yeah, I get free fire/cooking wood. After I drive, fell the trees...haul it back, split it...chainsaw gas/oil/maintenance....

If it was not for the workout, I'd just buy it from the place up the street (which I do when in a hurry.) all the time. haha

Let me know when you get settled in, y'all come over for an afternoon for some beers and food.

[GeorgeG.]

hit up craigslist... there are always people moving dirt and looking to get rid of it or make some money hauling it.

I've been looking there. I even have a few ads posted advertising a dump site. I almost had 10-12 loads from an pool excavation company in McKinney but they ended finding a closer dump site.

Thanks Ceyko, been meaning to hit you up since I'm in the area now. Judging by the pace things are going now, we'll probably start building after Spring. For now, we're camped out in Anna.

We finally got our plans from the designer. Hopefully I'll use these next few months to meet up with subs to get bids.

[GeorgeG.]

If you sit on your lot and wait a year, I bet you'll get better pricing.

This is what I'm seeing right now. I've spoken to two builders. One was at $110/sq ft. and the other hasn't come back with $$ yet but I already mentioned that the above number is way more than we're willing to sign for. He mentioned might, and he emphasized might , be able to get it down to $100/sq ft. which would get us at our max.

I'm still working another angle with my BIL that does remodeling so that may be the most cost effective way.

Otherwise, I'm beginning to consider of waiting another year to see where the market is at.

For those in the oil and financial industry(and any other industry that drives the economy), what do you see happening in the next year? I need the housing market to crash. Yes, I'm knocking on wood cause I really don't want that. I just need these subs to be a little hungry.

[8mpg]

Not sure if I have mentioned it, but have you thought of self contracting and using a service like Ubuildit as your builder on record and let them help you some. Their fees arent cheap but you can come down quite a bit. Also, you can do some of the work if that interests you.

I have gone to their open house and they have shared some budgets on projects that completed and with the fees, these houses were in the $90-95 range with no work done by the customer. If you are willing to put down your own floors or install plumbing fixtures, you can save some money.

[mustang1200]

We ended up just over $110 a foot for a fully custom built home and the builder drew the plans based on my sketches. That saved me right around $7500.00

My builder is doing a flat build cost plus any extras for things I've added.

[8mpg]

How are they with warranty work?

Warranty work is up to the individual contractors... Im not 100% sure but I believe it is up to you to hit up the trades. The only leverage you have to get the sub to warranty their work is the fact Ubuildit has the typical home builder pull as they suggest their subs and the subs get repeat work.

We ended up just over $110 a foot for a fully custom built home and the builder drew the plans based on my sketches. That saved me right around $7500.00

My builder is doing a flat build cost plus any extras for things I've added.

Corey...this is a blessing to hear. With the finishes you guys are going for, I feel confident I can bring our future build down to $100 or less. Annette told me about yall's fancy front door.

[mustang1200]

Corey...this is a blessing to hear. With the finishes you guys are going for, I feel confident I can bring our future build down to $100 or less. Annette told me about yall's fancy front door.

If you include the land, pool, house and some of the stuff I'm doing on my own (AV, etc) we are right at $135. Pretty happy with the outcome so far.

Laurel had to have a crazy door. They are putting it in next week.


You can see the progress here if you want.

https://goo.gl/photos/MvVZsj7vwdM9Ke2s7

[8mpg]

If you include the land, pool, house and some of the stuff I'm doing on my own (AV, etc) we are right at $135. Pretty happy with the outcome so far.

Laurel had to have a crazy door. They are putting it in next week.


You can see the progress here if you want.

https://goo.gl/photos/MvVZsj7vwdM9Ke2s7

looks awesome man.. Ill follow along if you keep uploading pics

[mustang1200]

looks awesome man.. Ill follow along if you keep uploading pics

Thanks. I move pictures into that album pretty much every week.