What is an Owner-Builder

Simply put, an owner-builder is a person who acts as their own general contractor on their own building project on their own land.

Some people have the false belief that you have to hire a general contractor to build a home, that it is somehow illegal to do-it-yourself.  I am here to tell you that is not true.  What is true is that as an owner-builder, you will be responsible for securing the financing, pulling all the permits, and overseeing the project through to the end.

Owner-builders have all the risk, but they also get the great reward of having instant equity in their home when finished. Even if you are not experienced in a construction trade, this may be right for you. Some of the most successful general contractors don't do the work themselves either.  They have just fine-tuned their organizational skills, paid attention to detail, are persistent and possess a strong work-ethic.

An Owner-Builder is a Manager

An owner-builders main task is to manage a group of sub-contractors who do the actual work. The owner-builder will pay the bills, order the materials, hire the sub-contractors, control the budget and perform a myriad of other tasks. A general contractor does the same and charges a large fee for these services, for which they are entitled. But as an owner-builder, you can do the same thing and keep the money in your pocket PLUS have built-in home equity upon closing. 

Notice how none of these tasks involve swinging a hammer or driving a nail? If you can organize sub-contractors, pay attention to all the paperwork, persistently follow-up on unfinished items, and stay focused on the task at hand, you can build your own home and save money while doing it.

Benefits of Being an Owner-Builder

Now that you know what an owner-builder is, read up on the benefits of becoming an owner-builder.

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