I sincerely hope this helps you.
Diary of a Home builder!
By
William Carson
143 w Market St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
This is a very helpful description of the procedure and how things may go for you. Please read and enjoy this helpful article.
April 1st (Fool's Day)- My banker was very friendly. Said he wished I'd get a professional builder because I didn't know what I was doing. Best rate I could get was four points above prime because I was too marginal with no experience. Also said I'd get the money in stages after I showed proof of payments to subs. What nerve! I didn't realize there would be this much paperwork. Missed three hours of work.
April 26- Took 25 days to finally agree on house plans. Never dreamed there were so many details. Discovered that my wife is a very nasty person. Think I'm getting a nervous condition.
May 4- Finally swung the deal on the lot. The developer said "take it or leave it!" Said the builders buy several lots at a time and that's why they get discounts and that I didn't qualify. I know I paid too much but I'll easily save enough to offset it later. He didn't show me much respect.
May 6- Somebody's going to pay for this on election day. You need a Ph.D. just to fill out the forms for permits and licenses and to go to all the various government offices. There was less red tape when I joined the Navy. Somebody will pay. Missed 5 hours of work.
May 7- Staked out my lot as best I could . I didn't have one of those tapes, so I just stepped it off. Wonder how builders square the house on the lot? I guess it is no big deal.
May 8- Met excavator in early AM. He said only a fool would build a basement on that lot. Too low! I let him know in no uncertain terms that it was my money and to dig. He was grinning when I left for work.
May 10- The excavation was filled with water. I told him to fill the damn thing back up and I chalked my loss up to "experience." I'm a nervous wreck.
May 11- The foundation guys told me it would be at least three weeks before they could get to my job. They had to take care of their builders first. I hate delays.
May 12- The lumber man said that I could qualify for Discounts soon as I bought at least $250,000.00 worth of materials. I told him that was discrimination. He agreed. He also would not guarantee any prices because lumber prices were fluctuating almost daily. Told him I wouldn't stand for that kind of treatment and would shop around. missed two days of work. getting bids. Returned to original lumber man and signed up. He said due to back-logs it would take five weeks to deliver. I told him that was a hell of a way to run a business.
May 15- When the framing carpenter told me his price, I told him to go to hell. Told him there were good doctors not making his kind of money and that there were plenty others where he came from.
May 24- Hired original framer.
June 2- Foundation men showed. Had a fist fight with the foreman who called me an idiot. He said that builders order their own blocks and I told him he should have brought his own. He beat me half to death. Missed three days of work due to stitches and burses. Had to re-schedule everything. Those subs are mean.
July 11- Lumber finally came. Called framing carpenter and he said he had to frame a house for one of his builders first. It would be about three weeks. I kicked my dog for the first time.
July 12- Most of the lumber was stolen. Insurance company very cooperative. Lumber man said it would take about four weeks to replace items. Decided not to tell the carpenter for fear he would take another job. I'm sick.
August 13- Lumber delivered. Called carpenter and he said the timing was not so good. He would start in four days One day delay because his daughter was getting married.
August 17- Awful tired. Slept in my car on the lot for four nights protecting the lumber. My boss said I didn't look too good. He hoped I would shape-up my work.
August 18- Carpenter finally showed. I almost went berserk when he pointed out that I needed a saw box from the power company or he couldn't run his power equipment. He said I'd have to pay him for as long as it took to get one or he'd have to go to another project. I mumbled , yes I'd pay. How was I supposed to know about saw boxes? Missed more work getting it scheduled. Decided it's not fun to build a house.
October 3- Roofer fell off house today and was injured. More delays. My wife just keeps nagging. Told her to leave me alone and that I never loved her anyway.
October 12- Moved family to a motel. New owners just moved into our house. Thought it would be done long before now.
October 14- Noticed red tag on my house. The Building Commissioner explained that the framer had not build according to the code and some small details would have to be corrected. I told him I was "big" in the party and I wouldn't stand for this and neither would my friends in high places. He urged me to continue my political involvement and to make the corrections or no more construction.
October 23- Scheduled plumbing, cabinets, wiring fireplace man and heat man-all of them at the same time. I just didn't care anymore.
November 17- O.S.H.A. inspector closed down project. Cited 21 safety hazards. Told him someone was gong to pay "big" for this because I've got strong political connections. My doctor told me I now have high blood pressure.
November 22- All safety requirements met. Work is in progress and all going well. Scheduled dry wall company. I'm drinking too much now. I know it. Missed three more days of work.
December 4- Dry wall men asked me why I didn't insulate the house. To save face, I told him he showed up on the wrong date. He was very disgusted. The insulation company said it would be at least two weeks due to backlog of orders. I threatened him with physical harm and then I relented and begged.
December 5- Received certified letter informing me that foundation man was suing me and received two irate calls from subs I hadn't had time to pay. Told the boss to "get off my case" that same day.
December 6- Discovered that vandals had broken all the windows in the house. The insurance people said they would pay, but they'd rather drop my program. I broke down and cried.
December 9- Started going to an analyst. He advised that I needed to be better organized. Told him the only way his fee schedule could be any higher is for him to become a carpenter.
December 10- Painter splashed paint all over woodwork and carpet. I smiled at him and told him that I'd see to it he'd never get another job. I keep a flask in my glove compartment now to ward off the cold chills of winter.
December 25- Told the family the reason there was no gift exchange this year because I had a sizeable over run on the house. I promised next year would be better. My wife mumbled something abut ignoring her advice in getting a builder in the first place. I retorted that if she was so smart why did she even stay married to me?
December 26- My wife sued me for divorce today. Said she wouldn't live any longer with a man of my temperament and drinking habits. Said she was going to sue for the "House" and that she wanted it furnished. I headed for the glove compartment.
December 28- Showed up at work with awful headache. Boss told me that I should begin the new year by utilizing my talents elsewhere. Said he'd give me a good recommendation as a builder. Smart aleck.
-And they told me I couldn't build my own house!