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How Much Time Will It Take To Build My Own Custom Home?

Did you know that you can build your own home in as little as 4 to 8 hours a week?

It's true — and depending on what service level you work with us on, it could take as little as 4 to 8 hours a week. We offer two plans: UBuildIt Classic, where you are more involved and handle most of the detail work... and UBuildIt Plus, where you offload some of the duties to us to lighten your workload. Either way, you'll experience the satisfaction and savings that comes from building your own home.

Study the chart below to see the differences in our two service plans. Then call your local office for a consultation — we'll help you decide which one works best for you.

UBuildIt Classic and UBuildIt Plus Comparison - Planning Phase

Activity	UBuildIt Classic	UBuildIt Plus
Budget / Ballpark	Gather information and create report.	Gather information and create report
Site Review / Report	Clients are present at the site review and they do all research.	It is recommended that clients are present at Site Review but not required. We will do more of the research.
Plan development and review	Client has all contact with designer.	We attend up to three meetings with client and designer.
Specifications	Consultant and client prepare specs together at a higher level for general price point.	Two full sessions... 4 to 8 hours total. Include specs book with pictures.
Costing / Cost Review	We do 85% of the cost out with our vendors only.	We assist with selections and do more follow up to get pricing on their choices. We will evaluate bids the client acquires. We may get second round of key bids to help budget.

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UBuildIt Classic and UBuildIt Plus Comparison - Construction Phase

Activity	UBuildIt Classic	UBuildIt Plus
Permitting	Client does.	We pick up and prepare paperwork & go with client (if needed).
Vendor selection & management	Client signs contracts, pays vendors and schedules vendors.	Client signs contracts and pays bills with our input. We review invoices before payment.
License and insurance information for vendors	Client verifies with each vendor.	Our office does ongoing license and insurance checking but client still must make final verification.
Scheduling	3 stages - we prepare - client implements.	We call "on behalf of" client to assist with scheduling, according to client's wishes. Client confirms with vendor, meets them and signs docs. We will have group sub meetings at site.
Ordering materials	Client does all.	We set it up but final call comes from client. They arrange payment and sign any docs. We want to make sure the client still feels like they are in control. Vendor understands that we are not placing the order, just arranging for it.
Managing budget	Client uses EXCEL tool. We assist if asked.	We assist with monthly budget review meeting. We review invoices before payment. We will help facilitate change orders.
24 Hr. Phone service	Used for urgent issues after hours.	Possible text messaging capabilities for speed and paper trail. More documentation required.
Planning Meetings	Four	Four meeting agendas expanded to cover more "site specific" items in anticipation of future decisions.
Site Visits	19-23 with Client required to attend all.	9-10 mandatory for client to be present. Actual number of Site Visits to be determined by individual office analysis. Identifying the appropriate number of SVs per trade and base it around that list. We are liaisons only. Plans, specs & checklists are the guiding documents. We will facilitate group vendor meetings at key times and have weekly communication meetings with client. Use digital recorder or camcorder.

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Please note that each new construction project is customized; the requirements shown above represent a typical project and may be different than the requirements for you home. The requirements for remodeling jobs are similar to those shown above, but also vary depending on the scope of your project. Please consult with your local office for details.

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