New construction, 75% done. About to run out of money

New construction, 75% done. About to run out of money

Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 0 votes

Need some help to finish our house.  I own the .83 acre lot. My significant other and I decided to use a builder she had done business with in the past.   We are paying cash to him every week or so when he sends bill.  The deal sounded good at the beginning but thought it included his fee and it didn't so he's tacking on his 20% on every bill.  Funds are beginning to run extremely tight.   And i just wanna make sure we are prepared and can finish this project.   We currently have roof done and siding up.  Plumbers are about to wrap up. Wiring is in.  Still need cabinets vanities counters installed, floors done, drywall hung and finished. Insulation paint. Trying to get a # from him about estimated remaining cost but got nothing.   So it looks like we are already over Our expected budget and approximately 75% done in guessing.  We did give 50k deposit up front which he says he will use towards finishing up. He has not started pulling from that yet.  What would be my best route to take if we need additional finances?

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JD MartinBusiness Member
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Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
1y
Quote from @Jimmy Jeter:

Need some help to finish our house.  I own the .83 acre lot. My significant other and I decided to use a builder she had done business with in the past.   We are paying cash to him every week or so when he sends bill.  The deal sounded good at the beginning but thought it included his fee and it didn't so he's tacking on his 20% on every bill.  Funds are beginning to run extremely tight.   And i just wanna make sure we are prepared and can finish this project.   We currently have roof done and siding up.  Plumbers are about to wrap up. Wiring is in.  Still need cabinets vanities counters installed, floors done, drywall hung and finished. Insulation paint. Trying to get a # from him about estimated remaining cost but got nothing.   So it looks like we are already over Our expected budget and approximately 75% done in guessing.  We did give 50k deposit up front which he says he will use towards finishing up. He has not started pulling from that yet.  What would be my best route to take if we need additional finances?


 Holy cow, don't you have a contract that specifies when and how much draws are to be submitted and paid? Is this just some kind of handshake deal? 

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  • Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2009 · 106 posts · 50 votes
    1y

    What are the numbers? Value of land? Is there debt on the property or are you doing all cash?

  • JD MartinBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jimmy Jeter:

    Need some help to finish our house.  I own the .83 acre lot. My significant other and I decided to use a builder she had done business with in the past.   We are paying cash to him every week or so when he sends bill.  The deal sounded good at the beginning but thought it included his fee and it didn't so he's tacking on his 20% on every bill.  Funds are beginning to run extremely tight.   And i just wanna make sure we are prepared and can finish this project.   We currently have roof done and siding up.  Plumbers are about to wrap up. Wiring is in.  Still need cabinets vanities counters installed, floors done, drywall hung and finished. Insulation paint. Trying to get a # from him about estimated remaining cost but got nothing.   So it looks like we are already over Our expected budget and approximately 75% done in guessing.  We did give 50k deposit up front which he says he will use towards finishing up. He has not started pulling from that yet.  What would be my best route to take if we need additional finances?


     Holy cow, don't you have a contract that specifies when and how much draws are to be submitted and paid? Is this just some kind of handshake deal? 

    Skyline Properties
    View Page
  • Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Ram Gonzales:

    What are the numbers? Value of land? Is there debt on the property or are you doing all cash?


     Land is worth about 20k. No debt on property. 

  • Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    1y

    There is a contract yes.  Not sure of specifics.  My significant other has a business relationship with builder and has worked with him in the past. So yea I guess kind of a handshake deal.  

  • Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    1y

    You didn’t pull the plug when you found out it was 20% more than expected?

    If he had quoted you 20% higher would you still have done the deal? 

    The contract didn’t state it was 20% higher? Or did your SO make a $50-100k mistake by not seeing that it did?

    Can you arrange for counters, floors, painting other “basics” without him tacking on his 20%? Seems like easy savings.  Can you borrow against your current home? Is it worth it? (Is there any “profit” left?) Was this a flip or a new primary? I truly hope this all works out for you. It sure seems like if this was a tv show those two had a secret relationship. Otherwise it’s time for a big/serious talk about making such a HUGE and basic mistake. 

    Good luck and let us know how it turns out. As Red Green says “We’re pulling for you…”

  • Robert EllisBusiness Member
    Developer · Miami, FL · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Jimmy Jeter:

    Need some help to finish our house.  I own the .83 acre lot. My significant other and I decided to use a builder she had done business with in the past.   We are paying cash to him every week or so when he sends bill.  The deal sounded good at the beginning but thought it included his fee and it didn't so he's tacking on his 20% on every bill.  Funds are beginning to run extremely tight.   And i just wanna make sure we are prepared and can finish this project.   We currently have roof done and siding up.  Plumbers are about to wrap up. Wiring is in.  Still need cabinets vanities counters installed, floors done, drywall hung and finished. Insulation paint. Trying to get a # from him about estimated remaining cost but got nothing.   So it looks like we are already over Our expected budget and approximately 75% done in guessing.  We did give 50k deposit up front which he says he will use towards finishing up. He has not started pulling from that yet.  What would be my best route to take if we need additional finances?


    sounds like he is the problem. if you need help talking to him let me know we build 5-6 multifamily properties at a time and single family. I was in national construction for 5+ years I'm not afraid of a small contractor who's ripping you guys off 

  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2017 · 107 posts · 89 votes
    1y

    You need to make a written plan with him to get this over the finish line, with cost estimates. You’re totally exposed to being strung along the way you’re doing it. 

  • Stuart UdisPro Member
    Attorney · Philadelphia · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    @Jimmy Jeter "There is a contract yes. Not sure of specifics. My significant other has a business relationship with builder and has worked with him in the past. So yea I guess kind of a handshake deal."   Huh?  I am sorry but this makes absolutely no sense.....

    Also, any builder who has to be paid every week is a huge red flag. This is a home builder not a day laborer.

  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    1y

    Have a sit down and talk to him.  Be honest. Tell him that you are running out of funds and you hadn't planned on the extra 20% he's charging on each bill.  You need a firm estimate for the remainder of the work as your funds are limited (like most people who don't have an endless amount of money).  You can talk to the bank about a loan; however, my bet is they will want some form of contract and scope of work and will only pay him at set milestones.

  • Developer · Boise, ID · Member since 2019 · 4 posts · 4 votes
    1y

    You are roughly 50% completed, the interiors will cost more than you think. I would stop work until an itemized scope of work and cost to completion is established.

  • WY · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 49 votes
    1y

    A deposit at the start of a build is normal, this usually pays for materials and labor to get started. I would be very concerned about someone holding the 50k deposit for finish work at the end.. What would stop him from just not coming back to finish once he gets the last payment from you? Makes himself an extra 50k for nothing. We always like to believe they wouldnt do that, but believe me, it happens, even when you dont expect it. Ask me how I know.

    If funding is becoming problematic, then tell him to use that 50k, and when its 80-90% used up come back for another check. That will buy you some time to get more capital together, and you know that money will be used to perform the job.

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