In Florida, it is legal to build a house without the oversight of a licensed residential or general contractor. Known as the Owner-Builder permit, homeowners may choose to build the residence themselves, so long as they intend to use it for personal occupancy and not for sale or lease. Of course, there are a plethora of other requirements, and we aren’t legal advisors. However, this begs the question, why wouldn’t anyone interested in building a custom home just do it themselves?
To answer plainly, building a house is difficult and requires the coordination of many components. While it is possible to build without industry experience, the process will move much smoother, and with fewer headaches, in the hands of a seasoned professional. Just as a baker can bake a cake both faster and better than the average person, a trusted builder will execute a quality project in a more timely fashion.
DiPrima Construction is a reputable custom home builder, and has been in business in Brevard County since the early 1960s. Although we hold a general contractor’s license, our primary focus is on residential construction. Our company has built a few thousand houses over the course of those sixty-some-odd years, and continues to build in Brevard County to this day. While the industry is continually changing with new techniques, codes, and markets, the fundamentals remain the same. From Satellite Beach to West Melbourne, and Titusville to West Palm, we’ve seen a lot in our time. So, we’re comfortable stating that we’ve gotten the hang of the custom home building process.
Pre-Construction Know-How
To begin with, a residential contractor understands the complete scope of work. As in, knowing what material and labor is required to bring the project up from the dirt and into a finished house. From compaction testing, through the final paint, there are a multitude of contractors, documentation, material deliveries, and work hours involved in turning your custom house into reality. As such, the builder can accurately price the total cost of the project and provide an upfront estimate before you sign a contract.
Importantly, the builder knows who is qualified and capable of performing their work. This is truly one of the biggest issues that owner-builders face when constructing their own custom house. With so much work to complete, and a long list of subcontractors to choose from, it is daunting to select the appropriate company to perform quality work at a reasonable price and in an efficient manner. Once the builder requests, receives, and reviews the bids, the work is awarded.
Consequently, a handful of the subcontractors prepare and submit their own documentation, like plumbing riser diagrams or energy calculations, items that are crucial to obtaining a permit. Permitting, in and of itself, consists of several major aspects, from product approvals to the engineered set of plans. Bundling everything together, then properly submitting the package to the governing municipality, is no small feat. Whether you’re building in Melbourne, Indialantic, or Indian Harbour Beach, the process is often complicated and subject to the occasional setback and resubmission.
Construction Expertise
When the permit is finally in hand, construction begins. There is no definitive sequence to build a house, and no commonly agreed upon step-by-step method. It’s a process that takes practice and foresight, and is subject to change through the years and with the location. Scheduling a project is sometimes more art than science. To complete a house within the allotted time frame requires that the supervisor understand the duration of each task and the lead times of the upcoming items. A professional residential contractor has a tried and true method that produces results.
Yet, supervising the project does not just entail scheduling. Supervising also involves dedicating time to open and close the house, trouble-shooting the problems that inevitably arise, and passing inspections, among a plethora of other responsibilities. Quality control is perhaps the most critical aspect of supervision. Maintaining quality throughout the project requires a basic knowledge of every trade, understanding frequent issues, and the ability to correct problems before they get out of hand.
The builder is solely responsible for delivering the project through completion. A singular contract with a custom home builder relieves the buyer of a significant burden, and ensures there is one party tasked with the job. If there are any questions, concerns, or issues raised, the builder is there to serve the customer. After the work is done, and the house closes, the builder is liable to execute any necessary warranty work.
In Short
So, while building a house may seem simple on the surface, it entails a lot of time and effort behind the scenes. By our count, we have over one hundred major construction tasks to complete, with thousands of smaller actions and decisions made along the way. Thus, selecting an experienced home builder is critical to ensure that the house is completed on time, within budget, and meets your standards. Contact us here.