Re: SB: expected price to have contractor build SB house?

[SoulBill@aol.com]

Dear JD,

I don't know if this post will make it to the SB list, as I've not been able 
to post anything to the list for four months, so I'm sending it to you and 
the list.

I live in Catalina, AZ, just 200 feet from the Pinal and Pima County line.  
We "finished" our SB home for $39/sq. ft last November.  That figure, though, 
does not reflect the cost for property, time spent (owner built), and 
financing costs.  I'm assuming that hiring a contractor would have increased 
our cost substantially, but thats not the only factor.  If we'd hired out a 
contractor, the time-frame to build it may have been shorter, and my own 
mistakes I had to correct may have been nonexistant had an experienced 
builder done the job.  But that was part of the process for me.  We did hire 
a very experienced contractor as a consultant, who came out at least once a 
month (sometimes much more) to answer questions, work out problems with me, 
etc.  For more info on our project, check out my website, complete with a 
cost breakdown:

<A HREF="http://www.WilliamCampbellMusic.com/Homestead.html";>
http://www.WilliamCampbellMusic.com/Homestead.html</A>

Now that you've brought up the subject, I'm not sure how many contractors 
there are in the area.  Most people I know have built their SB homes by 
themselves.  Some, however, are living in their SB home with the help of 
three contractors:  Jon Ruez, John Wooden, or Mark Thomas.  Not all of these 
three are LICENSED contractors— though that may not mean too much in this 
area of expertise— and I'm not sure if Mark is still working in this medium.  
As individuals, they have worked in Pima and Cochise counties, and at least 
once in Pinal county.  There may be others, but honestly, I don't know of 
any.  There are some contractors who have begun specializing in Strawbale 
walls, but they don't build houses, and that's a different subject.

If I can help any more (or less), just ask.

Peace,
"Sonoran" Bill Campbell

In a message dated 6/28/01 7:33:00 PM, jd@austinbox.com writes:

<< Hello,
I live in  Apache Junction, Az ( Pinal County 35 miles west of Phoenix),

I'd like to have an experienced contractor build a 2000 sq ft straw bale

house (3 bedroom, computer room, 2 bath).  I'd like to keep the price
under $100K.
Is it possible to get a contractor to do most of the work and leave some
of the
finish work for us to do (painting, flooring, etc)?

I'd like to either do a load bearing house or one with a steel frame
with straw bale infill.
There are 4 straw bale houses within 10 miles of our property (have
talked to two of them.. both were owner built).  I've already checked
with the city and county about building one, didn't encounter any
resistance (which really supprised me).
Would anyone recommend a contractor in my area?

Thanks for your help!
 >>


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