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Re:In January, there were more real-estate agents than homes... by lotsofpulp on Monday March 22, 2021 @03:43PM (#26545775)
Unless you know people in the construction industry, and/or are familiar with construction yourself and evaluating whether or not the job is being done right, I would not recommend building yourself, especially in hot markets.

If you're small fry, you're not going to be able to secure the best workers, and you can easily get taken advantage of because you have no idea what shortcuts people are taking if you're not checking up on things.

Also, materials costs are insane right now, if you can even get them in a timely fashion. I know someone who took out a construction loan early 2020 based on estimates pre pandemic. They started building recently, and blew threw their budget on lumber alone and had to draw from retirement accounts to keep going.

It is a great learning exercise, but not one many can afford on their primary residence.

Re:In January, there were more real-estate agents than homes... by datavirtue on Monday March 22, 2021 @05:01PM (#26546974)
This. Don't build unless you you already know what you are doing. I know what I'm doing and it is an absolute bitch and I am finding I have to do most of my own work.
Re:In January, there were more real-estate agents than homes... by matwood on Monday March 22, 2021 @05:28PM (#26547382)
> if you can even get them in a timely fashion

This. Not just materials but parts because of supply chain backups. Oh, and general worker rates. I just had to replace a hot water heater. Big box stores had prices listed (~$1300 but no stock). Plumber wanted to charge $4k for the equipment and installation. Luckily I knew someone who had wholesale accounts, called all over the state, and found one. Then I did the install in ~2 hours. Dealing with that for an entire house, sounds like a terrible experience.