I finally picked a custom builder that was more expensive but way slower

Every forum thread I read said to go with the cheaper timeline and get the fastest build possible. But I had a bad feeling about one of those high speed crews after visiting their last project. So I went with a small builder who quoted $85 per square foot and said it would take 10 months instead of 6. They spent 3 extra weeks just on the foundation prep and it drove me crazy at first. But now that we are done, I have zero cracks in the drywall and the floors are dead level. Has anyone else gone against the popular advice and picked the slower option?

2 comments

2 Comments

jana_hernandez21h ago

I mean the whole "faster is always better" thing is such a trap. The part where you said they spent 3 extra weeks on foundation prep really got me. That's the kind of stuff you can't see after the walls go up, but it's what makes a house last. I really think most people just look at the timeline and price tag without thinking about what those shortcuts actually cost down the road. You can't un-crack a wall or un-settle a floor. So yeah, I'm totally with you on this one.

hayden58721h ago

Oh man, @jana_hernandez you nailed it with that "can't un-crack a wall" line. I had a similar thing happen with my place actually. The contractor kept telling me they could save two weeks by skipping extra drainage work, but I pushed them to do it anyway. And now three years later, the neighbors who went with the faster build are dealing with water pooling in their crawl space. It's wild how much of that invisible stuff really matters down the line. People just don't get that you're paying for peace of mind as much as the actual work. My place was more expensive and took longer, but I sleep a lot better knowing it's built right.