Should we build a shell or give the whole job to a
contractor?

Bill,
Good advise from your book, which I will be sure to follow. One more question
and I'll let you get back to your retirement. I have two choices of
contractors that we narrowed down. One will do the complete
job at $55,000 the other will do the shell only including interior
wall framing for $36,300. Leaving me $18,700 to get the
plumbing (to extend baseboard and add a zone),
electrical, sheetrock, interior doors, insulation, gutters and
leaders done myself. There already is electrical and baseboard
up there since there is a partial loft that exists. It would just
need to be extended throughout the rest of the second level. I
do have some reliable people that I have dealt with previously
to do the additional work who are both excellent and
reasonable. The question is; has it been your experience that
this would end up being more cost effective to piece it out or
have one contractor do it complete. Please advise.
Thanks Again,
Steven


Good question
You will save money but is it worth the added work you will have
to do to hire the subs & watch over them. From what you wrote I
gather there is more to it than you think there is. It will take
more than calling in a plumber, electrician etc. The job of the
contractor is to coordinate the trades & take care of the many
incidental problems as they arise.  It is not as easy as it looks. It
is also going to extend the length of time it takes to finish the
job & "move in" by at least a few weeks or more. My guess is
you will save a few thousand dollars but you should understand
that it comes at a cost in time & aggravation. If you decide on
the shell then have him install the gutters & leaders & make
sure he puts in all the nailers & cats & ceiling beams. If you
don't know what I am talking about then I suggest you hire the
contractor to do the full job.

Regards,
Bill Harbrecht