A common phrase that’s kicked around the home building industry is owner builder. What exactly is an owner builder? Is this someone who physically builds their own home?
Owner Builder Definition
An owner builder is basically anyone who decides to take on the general contractor role for their new home. As the general contractor, the owner builder has overall responsibility for all scheduling, budgeting, trade hiring, quality control,…etc. But what if the owner decides to do all of the physical work when building the home? Does this mean you are an owner builder? Yes. But in most cases, owner builders hire trade contractors to hire some or all of the physical labor…just like most professional general contractors do.
Owner Builder Qualifications
Building a new home can be a complicated process. So is it really possible for the average person to oversee this project? As a builder that has created thousands of homes over the years, I can tell you that it is possible. I’ve trained all kinds of people that don’t have a construction background on how to schedule, inspect quality, communicate with contractors…etc. It’s not quantum physics, but it is important to learn as much as possible before starting a project.
General Contractor License
Does one need a general contractor’s license to become an owner builder for their own home? In most cases, no. The license, much like any other occupational license, is there to protect consumers. You can sell your own home without a real estate license…building a home is similar to this. It’s important for anyone thinking of building their own home to check with the local building department to confirm any special requirements they have for owner builders before moving forward.
Risks vs. Rewards
Like all things in life, it’s important to weigh the risks versus the rewards when deciding whether to become an owner builder for your new home. Here are some of the major risks to consider…
And for the rewards…
The decision to become an owner builder for your new home is not one to take lightly. It will take a considerable amount of time and there are risks involved. But those who are committed to it will most likely find the experience to be very rewarding. For more details on the qualifications needed to build your own home, check out this video.
Our "go to guy" and company expert, Brandon is the visionary and dreamer of all we do here at America's Best House Plans. He manages quality assurance, audits existing processes for maximum effectiveness, and develops strategies to increase productivity and efficiency. With over 15 years experience in the home design industry, Brandon has a hand in every aspect of the day-to-day operations of our company, in addition to ensuring an unparalleled level of service to our customers.
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