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Builder Launch

Public • 571 • Free

16 contributions to Builder Launch
This group still active?
This group still active? - no group calls for 6 months. - Little to no reply on people posts.
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New comment 17d ago
0 likes • 24d
@Mitch Cleary Framing is still ongoing, hoping to winterize before winter hits, so a lot happening in the next two months! I had an extremely difficult time with concrete and plumbing contractors that delayed me months.
0 likes • 17d
@Mitch Cleary The original ones did not show up/delayed. Today it was raining or too cold, or how about Monday and then not show up, etc. I had to switch contractors, the plumbing ended up being a brand new company that just started 1/2 a month before I found them, and did a fantastic job. But speaking with them now they are fully booked (I'm on their books), but they've had zero issues finding work in a more rural location. Concrete contractors I went through 4, before I found a fantastic contractor who was amazing. At least in Nova Scotia, it really does not seem like building is slowing down at any pace.
Building Condition Update
Hi all, Just a brief update on the current state of affairs. Building material and labor costs have outpaced the growth in real estate prices since 2019, especially when accounting for the recent decline in real estate prices in Ontario and BC. Calgary may be an exception here. However, most builders are currently running on very thin margins, if not outright losing money on their builds. As an owner-builder, you essentially benefit from paying yourself as the builder and capturing the market upside of owning land in an appreciating market. When builders are profitable, owner-builders also have limited potential for significant gains. Cities like Peterborough have city councils pushing for 30-50% increases in development charges, effective January 1 this year, to make up for infrastructure budget deficits. This will likely be the final blow to significantly reduce building starts. It is my current view that your time and efforts in building your own property are better reserved for improved market conditions unless you already own the land from a prior time. If your goal is purely to build the home you desire, this may still be a justifiable avenue. However, if your goal is to create an affordable house, unfortunately, the prospects are not good. If your goal is to grow your capital/net worth through real estate, this is not the best avenue for that goal under current conditions. I hope everyone is doing well, and for those who had already started a build when they joined the group, I hope you are finishing strong and have a home you love!
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New comment 25d ago
1 like • 25d
@Mathew Newcombe that is amazing! I’m about 20% before I exit framing stages :( though some of it is my own fault.
0 likes • 25d
@Andrew Parshad I’ve not seen proof of 5% increase with 25 bps drop. Do you have any further information on that? Most of the reports I’ve read suggest people are still waiting. The bank will only drop interest rates if it sees problems with the economy, slowing down, higher unemployment those type of things. So I’d be interested to read about increase in buyer momentum after a smaller 25 bps drop.
Construction Loans Extremely Tough To Get Right Now!
Words of warning to anyone who has not acquired land yet but is considering this avenue. I have spoken with several owner builders that have had problems with this recently, and even big builders are under pressure seeing banks trying to shrink their access to credit. If you can get a smoking deal on land right now have a long time horizon, it can be worth considering, but otherwise, you should be aware that this is likely the number one hurdle you will face right now outside of the fact that material and labor prices still have not come down enough to make building your own home lucrative at our current resale prices. At this moment, resale prices seem to be falling faster than the construction inputs to build new (material and labor), so the ideal time to build your own home if your goal is to maximize your upside or value for your dollars does not seem to be at this part of the cycle. I hope everyone is well. Take this time to learn and be patient, the time to buy land and build will return. If you already own land, simply GC'ing your own build at this time can still save you money vs paying a turnkey builder, but if you have not committed to this route yet, beware of the current challenges.
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New comment Jun 6
1 like • Jun 4
Private seems to still be fine at the moment, but big banks do seem to be tightening their leashes.
Slab-on-grade stone prep
Hey all, Perhaps a really stupid noob question, but my excavation contractor and I have been going back and forth on best materials to place under my slab prior to concrete. We're trying to find a balance between ease of digging for running conduit and plumbing, cost, and ease of getting compacted/leveled. Any insights or thoughts are greatly appreciated! Cheers, Matt N.
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New comment Apr 16
0 likes • Apr 14
@Mathew Newcombe One question I had that I'm trying to figure out myself is how did you handle the anchor bolts? Some people seem to just shove them in while it's curing, some use plastic tie things, some don't put in anchor bolts and just epoxy some in later.
0 likes • Apr 14
@Mathew Newcombe Okay so you're doing epoxy + drilling after the slab has cured. That does seem to be a popular method versus inserting while/before concrete has cured.
Software
Looking for a software tool that is free where I can throw my numbers on it to keep it together. Excel is okay. But would be nice to have an actual tool or app. Any ideas welcomed. Thank you
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New comment Mar 27
0 likes • Mar 22
@Evan Bell I really wish there was a version of JobTrend without the GC parts, I quite like everything but I don't need the quickbooks and estimating stuff.
0 likes • Mar 22
@Evan Bell interesting… did you ever look at houzz pro? I was debating that at one point. But the fact of the best practice part is quite interesting. If it could save a few hours every month it’s probably worth the $200…
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@steven-verbeek-3695
Self building in Nova Scotia

Active 1d ago
Joined Dec 16, 2023
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