Builder feedback and impact to home value / future resale

[fmonticello]

We lost our house in the witch creek fire and have just begun looking at contractors. I looked around this site and haven’t seen similar discussions – but gently point me in that direction if this has been covered elsewhere. I’m no construction whiz so I just struggle to see the difference beyond the obvious in a $120 / sq foot construction versus $160 etc. I’m interested in re-building with some decent quality and not necessarily lowest cost – just don’t want to pay $160 / sq foot for $120 / sq foot quality so am trying to figure out which builders’ products may be worth a bit more. I’d be interested in the group’s thoughts about big builders as that’s most easily covered in a broad group, but thoughts on smaller general contractors are much appreciated too.

Just as background my wife an I met with Stonefield yesterday who seem the volume, lowest cost play – built 80+ houses in cedar fire and am guessing they come in in the $120ish range. We also met with Barratt and have nothing in writing but guess they’ll come in in the $170+ range. Lastly we met with a custom builder who does cost plus and can fit pretty much any range based on what we pick but seems a $160+ range type of guy. I’d like to build something nice to stay in – but don’t want to throw money away – and also wonder how much this stuff impacts resale (i.e. does anyone care / willing to pay for this stuff later). Making matters worse – the big builders say never go cost plus – and the little guy turns his nose up at tract homes…

Does anyone out there have track record knowledge of Stonefield, Barratt, other So Cal builders beyond checking BBB, License boards, and warranty boards?? Any insights very much appreciated.

[Raybyrnes]

Why not pocket the money for the time being while these guys are busy. Supply and demand is working against you. Additoinally when builders are buying commodities such as wood, cement and copper at the same time as everyone else this is going to push up rebuilding costs. Wait a couple of years and when they are scraping around for work you will be able to get a slam dunk deal.

[patientlywaiting]

Good Idea. Bank the money and rent at least until the recession. You can get a property tax adjustment for your now vacant land.

[kaycee]

I have no answer to your questions, just want to offer my sympathy for your situation and my best wishes to you and your family as you go through this rebuilding process.

[kaycee]

I have no answer to your questions, just want to offer my sympathy for your situation and my best wishes to you and your family as you go through this rebuilding process.

[kaycee]

I have no answer to your questions, just want to offer my sympathy for your situation and my best wishes to you and your family as you go through this rebuilding process.

[kaycee]

I have no answer to your questions, just want to offer my sympathy for your situation and my best wishes to you and your family as you go through this rebuilding process.

[kaycee]

I have no answer to your questions, just want to offer my sympathy for your situation and my best wishes to you and your family as you go through this rebuilding process.

[patientlywaiting]

Good Idea. Bank the money and rent at least until the recession. You can get a property tax adjustment for your now vacant land.

[patientlywaiting]

Good Idea. Bank the money and rent at least until the recession. You can get a property tax adjustment for your now vacant land.

[patientlywaiting]

Good Idea. Bank the money and rent at least until the recession. You can get a property tax adjustment for your now vacant land.

[patientlywaiting]

Good Idea. Bank the money and rent at least until the recession. You can get a property tax adjustment for your now vacant land.

[Raybyrnes]

Why not pocket the money for the time being while these guys are busy. Supply and demand is working against you. Additoinally when builders are buying commodities such as wood, cement and copper at the same time as everyone else this is going to push up rebuilding costs. Wait a couple of years and when they are scraping around for work you will be able to get a slam dunk deal.

[Raybyrnes]

Why not pocket the money for the time being while these guys are busy. Supply and demand is working against you. Additoinally when builders are buying commodities such as wood, cement and copper at the same time as everyone else this is going to push up rebuilding costs. Wait a couple of years and when they are scraping around for work you will be able to get a slam dunk deal.

[Raybyrnes]

Why not pocket the money for the time being while these guys are busy. Supply and demand is working against you. Additoinally when builders are buying commodities such as wood, cement and copper at the same time as everyone else this is going to push up rebuilding costs. Wait a couple of years and when they are scraping around for work you will be able to get a slam dunk deal.

[Raybyrnes]

Why not pocket the money for the time being while these guys are busy. Supply and demand is working against you. Additoinally when builders are buying commodities such as wood, cement and copper at the same time as everyone else this is going to push up rebuilding costs. Wait a couple of years and when they are scraping around for work you will be able to get a slam dunk deal.

[Author]

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