Anyone Recommend Garage Builder in NC?

[dennisO]

Hi All,

I have a retirement house in Clayton, NC and want a detached garage built on the property. I've tried local builders, but business is so good that most wont even return calls or emails - must be nice! I do have a HOA and the garage must be designed and meet HOA guidelines, which is more pain for the builder. Anyway, if anyone has has recommendations on specific companies or licensed contractors that build garages in NC, then please PM me. I can act as a general myself, but prefer not to go that route.

Thanks in advance.

And this was my 911th post, and special since the garage is for my 911 projects!

[porsche tech]

Maybe you could check with the realtor you used to buy the house…sometimes they know people.
Or maybe even the HOA May know someone who has done work in your neighborhood.

[dennisO]

Thanks! I did check with HOA and the list of companies they provided are not being responsive.

[javadog]

Hire an architect to design it and then be your own general contractor.

[2.7RS]

Originally Posted by javadog

Hire an architect to design it and then be your own general contractor.

Excellent advice.

Fuch the contractors.... They will be hungry soon

[gamin]

Welcome to Clayton/Johnston Co, the fastest growing area in NC. That fact makes finding a builder for small jobs very difficult. A friend recently had a very nice large detached garage built. High quality. Scott Rhodes Building. 919-894-1598. Good Luck.

[dennisO]

Thanks All.

NC does allow the property owner to act as a general contractor for a project on their own property, so that is still being condidered.

Gamin - thanks for the lead!

[gamin]

Here's another number for Sc0tt Rhodes - 919-868-1616.
He's a custom builder.

[dennisO]

Thanks Gamin!

I've called and emailed at least 8 garage/home builders that service the greater Raleigh area and only 2 have responded. Of the two, one wouldn't do it since I need brick exterior to match house (HOA rules) and the other was booked for a year and wanted $$$$ for a bare bones garage. Scott was not one I called, so fingers crossed. Thanks for the help!

[908/930]

Originally Posted by javadog

Hire an architect to design it and then be your own general contractor.

Well, I would be careful on this one unless you can and willing to do it all yourself, most of the sub trades are kept busy by the general contractors so finding them later will likely be difficult, and many don't want to deal with the home owner. Then there are likely other hoops to jump through, construction insurance possibly insurance for the workers.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Well, I would be careful on this one unless you can and willing to do it all yourself, most of the sub trades are kept busy by the general contractors so finding them later will likely be difficult, and many don't want to deal with the home owner. Then there are likely other hoops to jump through, construction insurance possibly insurance for the workers.

Well, as a commercial general contractor, it’s easy for me to make this recommendation. But, here’s why I make it.

Most residential builders can’t do design work. Few do but they seldom can provide the architectural and engineering stamps required for a building permit. Most of them build complete houses, from plans they’ve purchased from some source or other, or they build the occasional house that gets designed by an architect. Rare these days.

Architects obviously make their living designing things, the design needs not be expensive as they can do a fairly generic set of plans that is just enough to meet the requirements for a permit. Meet the basic requirements, build the basic shell, finalize the permit and then you can be left to your own devices to finish it out how you choose.

It’s a little legwork to find the contractors for the dirt work, the concrete, the framing, the roof, the electrical, the drywall, etc. those guys are much easier to book then a residential builder. They are generally better at doing their own piece of the pie than a builder that does it all.

I wouldn’t hire any subcontractor that doesn’t care of their own liability and Workmen’s Comp. insurance. The homeowner can also buy a fairly inexpensive general liability umbrella from their existing home insurer, if they feel the need. I used to carry a liability umbrella for a million or two, just in case. You never know when a pack of drunk kids is going to jump the fence and go for a midnight swim in the pool or crap like that.

[908/930]

Yup, as long as he understands what he is stepping into. A garage should be pretty easy if you can find the right people, I find that is getting harder, at least around here.

[dennisO]

Thanks Guys.

Acting as my own general is still a consideration. Im fairly comfortable with general building requirements in California, but not sure how much applies to NC. Hence, my quest for a builder. I know labor and material costs have skyrocketed over last 2 years, so my mancave will be what I can afford versus what I want. Im hoping to start Jan/Feb, so I need to start making some progress. Definitely appreciate all the help!

[javadog]

North Carolina will not have the same ridiculous building standards that California has to put up with.

Prices are coming back down on materials, perhaps waiting that out might be a good course of action.

I don’t know where you are in North Carolina but the middle of winter is never the best time to take a project out of the ground.

[dennisO]

Im in Clayton, which is roughly 30 miles southeast of Raleigh. Too be honest, I didn't think about weather being from California where there is only 2 seasons :-(

[fintstone]

Not much winter southeast of Raleigh...but I expect help will be a lot easier to find soon.

[stevej37]

Any Amish builders in your area?
When I was looking for a builder, a friend suggested a local Amish with a 4 man crew.

They gave me an estimate and I was surprised at the low price. They came out within a week and excavated and built a 32X40 three door garage. Did an excellent job.
I couldn't be happier.

[dennisO]

I've not heard of any Amish communities around my area, but will definitely look!

[stevej37]

^^^
If you do..you will be impressed by their work. They are very dedicated to their job.

[javadog]

There is only one Amish community in North Carolina and it’s nowhere near Raleigh. It’s in Union Grove, far to the east.