OT: Custom Home Builder Recommendation in Brandon area

[kb549]

Looking for a custom home builder in the Brandon area. Talked to several. Here's the problem: everyone of them is saying 95-115 per sq foot (not including the price I paid for the land). My land is in Pelahatchie. (Probably going to hurt the appraisal as compared to it being in flowood or Brandon). I can't be certain what the appraisal on the plans will be (per sq foot). I hate to pay $1,500 for plans and an appraisal if it comes out to $110 - $120 per sq ft. I wouldn't be able to do the loan because I would be at 95-100% of appraisal. If I'm taking on the construction loan and risk, I want to be at 80-85% of appraisal.

One builder said so many houses are being built right now that subs are charging premium rates, especially for custom houses. I built a house about 8 years ago and wound up taking the whole thing over because my builder sucked. I wound up with a ton of equity. I can't do it again because I work out of town too much during the week.

anyone have a recommendation for someone who has decent subs at reasonable rates? I find it hard to believe that a builder can build a spec house on a 30-40k lot, take the risk it will sit for months, pay a 6% realtor fee, run it on a construction loan paying interest and still make money at $90-$100/foot costs where the houses are bringing $110-115/foot.

Roughly looking at a 3300 sq ft Acadian style home. Nothing crazy in extras. I know how fixtures and all that add up.

 

[Tbankerdog]

Ken Crusoe of Structures Fine Homes. You won't find a higher character guy.

 

[ronpolk]

what you're being quoted is not bad. Homes are selling for about $125 or $130 a foot. Look up Ikon homes. The owner is Jim Harris. Builds a fine house.

 

[kb549]

Just checked out their FB page. Nice looking homes.

You're right, homes are selling in Brandon for $125-$135/ft. But like I said, that's lot, interest on a construction loan, and realtor fees included. When you back those out, you're down to $105-110/ft, which is about what everyone was budget quoting for that level of trim and extras. It would make sense to just have the builder take the risk with material cost and weather and do a turn key price at that rate. Something just seems crazy about not being able to build for 10-15% below appraisal value.