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Sub-contractors
When building a house, you must use several
sub-contractors, or, tradesmen. Each of
these folks has a specialty and each does one part
of the construction process.
Subs, as they are known, will make or break the
job. Subs vary -- some are two guys in a
pickup truck who roam around looking for work,
others are experienced, serious, and are insured
and licensed. We spent three months asking
people who had built their own houses, asking
builders, and asking the local building codes
enforcement people about subs. We then
compiled their recommendations and interviewed
subs. Here are some guidelines we used in
selecting subs:
- Is he licensed and bonded? If not,
stop the conversation right there.
- Does he carry workman's compensation
insurance? If not, and one of his
workmen is injured (or does a good job of
faking an injury) you will be liable for
thousands of dollars of medical costs and
damages. Do not deal with a sub who does
not have workman's comp AND get a copy of his
current insurance certificate -- keep it for
your files.
- Will the sub provide a list of references
-- people for whom he has worked before?
If not, stop the conversation right there.
- Does he want money up front before
starting work? If so, stop the
conversation. There is no problem paying
draws -- that is, a sub will divide the work
into phases and ask that you pay so much as
each phase is completed and inspected.
But DO NOT give anyone money up front -- some
subs use cash that you give them to finish
another job -- don't pay for anything that's
not completed and inspected.
- Will he provide you with a written
estimate that you and he sign to make a
contract?
- When the work is finished, will he sign a
release of lien -- this is a document that
says you don't owe him anything further and he
has no claim on your property.
Our subs
Here is a list of the subs we are using.
Each of them meets the above requirements.
|
Trade |
Sub-contractor |
| General contractor |
Rose and Joe Schlatter,
owner-builders |
| Plans, design |
John Bolian, JBDesignBuild, Bay
Saint Louis, MS |
| On-site portable
toilet |
Port-A-Let, Kiln, MS |
| Clear lot, fill,
grade, final grade |
Kiln Trucking (Charles Henley),
Kiln, MS |
| Concrete work |
Elzy Concrete (Martin Elzy), Bay
Saint Louis, MS (BSL) |
| Plumbing |
Ronnie Ferrel Plumbing,
BSL |
| Electrical |
Necaise Electrical (Jim Necaise),
BSL |
| Termite treatment |
Phillips Pest Control, BSL (Fill
under the slab must be treated before
pouring concrete.) |
| Framing |
LaFontaine Construction (Shane,
Cory, Craig, and Little Jimmie),
Waveland, MS |
| Roofing |
Ingram Roofing, Gulfport, MS |
| Siding and exterior
trim |
LaFontaine Construction (Shane,
Cory, Craig, and Little Jimmie),
Waveland, MS |
| Painting (exterior and
interior) |
Doing myself |
| Hang sheetrock |
Dexter Smith, BSL |
| Finish sheetrock |
Mike Smith, Waveland, MS |
| Insulation |
Doing myself |
| Flooring |
Bay Carpet, BSL |
| Cabinets and
countertops |
Grimes Cabinets and Countertops,
D'Iberville, MS |
| Bathroom vanity tops |
Lighthouse Marble, D'Iberville, MS |
| Appliances |
A-1 Appliance and Electronics,
Slidell, LA |
| Final cleanup |
Doing myself |
| Landscaping |
Doing ourselves |
| General labor |
Doing myself |
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Suppliers
We are using the following suppliers.
After drawing up materials lists -- or using the
materials lists provided by the subs -- we shopped
the materials lists around with several materials
suppliers. Here are the results.
|
Material |
Supplier |
| Fill dirt |
Kiln Trucking (Charles Henley),
Kiln, MS |
| Concrete |
Gulf Concrete, Waveland, MS |
| Form material |
Home Depot, Gulfport, MS |
| Framing lumber and
materials |
Home Depot
Bailey's Building Materials, BSL |
| Plumbing supplies,
bathtubs, showers |
Southern Pipe and Supply, Gulfport
and BSL |
| Electrical supplies |
Monti Electric, BSL
Home Depot |
| Shingles |
Bailey's |
| Siding |
Home Depot (HardiPlank, HardiTrim) |
| Flooring |
Bay Carpet, BSL (Hardwood
flooring, carpet, ceramic tile) |
| Doors |
Phillips Building Supplies,
Gulfport, MS (They have their own door
shop.) |
| Windows |
Home Depot (Alliance premium grade
vinyl windows) |
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