The estimates that came in from the general contractors put me into a blue funk for about two weeks. The budget would have to be nearly $300 – 400/sq. ft., and that didn’t include finishing the basement or the loft, only the main floor. It was immediately clear to us that we wouldn’t be able to build for a couple of years.
Then, our thoughts began to turn to doing our own general contracting. It’s not that far-fetched – we did it in the early 80s, when our kids were new. Of course, much has changed, technology-wise (thank goodness, I say.) We don’t know the tradespeople on the coast, as the builders there do. We live in Vancouver, not Gibsons. For some odd reason we’re not as young as we were then.
But, we reasoned, we would save about $100,000, just by doing the contracting, not-to-mention some of the other labour. I can put my art career on hold for a year or two, and I’ve managed some other large-ish projects. I can be persistent and organized. I’m good with money. D is good with manual labour. In fact he drives himself relentlessly. We could move the motorhome to the lot to live in during construction. It would be fun! (Sure, in that balmy summer, it sounded fun.) I can do it.
Next job was to find a builder/framing crew to take us to lock-up. We interviewed three. One, whose estimate for his crew’s labour was 1/3 less than the others, got a poor rating from his references, but the other two seemed competent and trust-worthy. We chose the one who was available sooner than two months hence. We weren’t keen to start in the rainy season.
Another consideration that reared its ugly head this fall was a sudden announcement by our provincial government that BC would be instituting the Harmonized Sales Tax on July 1, 2010. We would have to start paying the 7% provincial tax on labour. (It’s already charged on materials). That’s a huge additional expense – I’m estimating $14,000 more. The reasons to start sooner rather than later started to pile up.
We met with Doug Johnson at his home on a warm fall day. Everything about him and his crew gave us confidence. Their references checked out. Although they usually do the general contracting, Johnson-Barr was willing to work with our plan. They were willing to try green materials and methods. Doug prepared an estimate. They could start in a week! Let the adventure begin.
