Prefab Company or 84 lumber?

[spazegun2213]

So after wasting 2 months with a totally worthless contractor I've started going at this on my own and right now I'm making "good" progress. I've been soliciting bids from surveying companies for the Plat needed attached to the special permit application. I've selected a surveyor and I'm hoping they will complete it ASAP. I need this because I'm trying to 1/2 the rear setbacks on the building. My property is not that big at all, so every inch counts.


For the garage itself I'm thinking I have 2 main options if I want it done without using a contractor for a "custom building." My garage is going to be 20x20. yup, its small, but its all I can do without taking up ALL my back yard and having my better looking half leave me. So here is what I was thinking.

1) Find a masonry contractor to build the footings and pour the slab. That is not rocket science and I figure later on I'll use the same people to build me a driveway. I'll then need to find a contractor to assemble a 84 lumber building. I hear the 84 lumber kits are "good" but not amazing meaning they'll probably need to get a few extra pieces. The kit I'm asking for is about 5K, for "everything", which is very inexpensive.

2) go with these guys (http://www.amishwoodworks.com/) I just got a quote for a stick built building for 13K and a foundation/slab for 5K more (I think they are cheaping out on the slab). They offer a 1 year top to bottom warranty. This sounds like a great option as the lead time is 4 weeks, and they can be done with construction inside of a business week.

Both have their Pros and Cons, but what do you all think and what have you all had experience with?? I realize not going with a custom structure has a potential for delays and unsatisfactory results when completed. But honestly, I don't have the budget for what most contractors are pricing out up here. For a simple 20x20 I've had estimates well pass the 30k range.... Thats simply WAY too much for a 20x20. I've also had so many contractors say if they "do the work" its custom only (which i can understand).

So am I crazy?

 

[kmacht]

I went with an amish prefab company (www.horizonstructures.com) and it was one of the best investments I have ever made. I went from no garage to a 2 car, 2 story garage fully painted with windows, doors, everything in only 2 days. I did have to do a slab to put the structure on but it didn't have to have footers since it was under 600 square feet and the building was designed to be free standing. They can actually deliver it with a wood floor and you just put the building on 6" of gravel if you really want. I could have spent a few months stick building and saved a few dollars but I doubt it would have been the same quality as the pre-fab one. I recommend hiring out the slab and going the pre-fab route.

Keith

 

[Kevin54]

Do you have any building experience or any buddies that have building experience? If so, get the slab/foundation done, and do the rest yourself. Most of the "kits" come with precut lumber and trusses. If you can drive a nail, you should be able to erect a 20' x 20' with another person in very little time. After all, the framing is just a box. Normally the kits come with instructions to make it easier. Or do the simple stuff and contract out the harder work like trusses, roof sheeting, and shingles if you are not up to that. The money you save will pay for the slab.