Don't bother. A GC is obliged by contract to build a home per
specifications in the contract. Its a legal document. Don't sign it until
you're satisfied with its contents and wording. Watch for generalities,
make it specific.

Yes, get experience in the general mason, framing and finish carpenter,
plumbing, electrician, painter, roofing, sheetrock application, cabinet
installation fields. Be familiar with building code in your area, learn IRC
if not. Learn how to read blueprints. Pay attention to notes in those
blueprints. Take what you learn to keep an eye on the subs. Don't work for
any of the subs or the GC, you need to be free at all times for potential
supervision.

Don't forget the wastewater if no community sewer system is available in the
area. Same for water supply. A few GCs will take care of this too.

After all the experience, it can be generally carried over for homeowner
general maintenance.

--
Noncompliant

Money don't wag the dog's tail.

"Alex" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi Everyone,

This question has probably been asked a zillion times before, but I
thought I'd ask since the market is always changing. We're looking at
possibly building a house in a few years, and we're thinking of first
finding an acre or two someplace and buying it now with the hope of
paying it off rather quickly (3-4 years) then starting construction of
a house afterwards. My question is that if we spend those years
researching the in's and out's of building a house, talk to local
folks, etc, would it be possible for us to basically build the house
without a general contractor?

I honestly don't know alot beyond general house repairs and
construction, plus what I've read in Handyman Magazine and seen on
television, but I'd like to think if I spent the time it'll take to
pay off/down the properly I can self-educate myself to contract the
house myself and save some money... plus possibly get involved in
building the house to some degree to cut corners.

Is this common to do or maybe majorly not suggested?

Thanks for any suggestions or ideas in this re guard, and take care --

Alex