All Forum Posts by: Paul Ortiz

@Mike Flora I would said that @Jason Hsiao is correct with that number, for a budget. You mentioned that it's around "Industrial/Commercial Area" How big is the Lot???

Can it be rezoned?

@Mira Ramesh Babu do you have a list of what to look for in a property?

 @Hubert Chen Negative Sir!

@Mana Silva

Most people are not to familiar with the construction process, here in Southern California there is also the shortage of available land, Most new ground up construction has to be Urban-Infill. So the hunt for land is time consuming and there are a lot of variables that go into it, for example;

Utilities: Water, Power, Sewer

Size of the Lot and what you can built.

City Codes,

Most Flips are in and out in a couple of months, in ground up construction in to it for at least 9 to 12 months.

@Chris Licavoli I can not say for sure that $40/sf would cover it, I'm not familiar with that part of the country. That being say it ran us close to $75/sf to renovate the entire house.

@Omid Rabbani

Typically you would start with the zoning, once you figure that out. The city bldg dept. can give you there ratio for units to SF of land. That will generally give you the amount of units possible, but then you have to take in consideration other Items for example, Property Setbacks, Easements and the Such.

@Miller Josh I agree with everyone else, some thing seems off. If this is your first time out the gate I would definitely try and team up with someone, I have built house here in California for less, and have used subs to do the most of the work. so I would not try and do all the work yourself.

@Emanuelle Lewis,

If your looking for trade specific (I.E. Plumbers, Drywallers, Framers...)

I would go to material supplies stores, excluding Home Depot and Lowes. But if your looking for overall trades men or General Contractors then go to Big Box Stores like Home Depot and Lowes.

and speak to someone at the contractors services area's. 

@Penny Conner,

I agree with both @J Scott and @Keith Frank your going to have to do some leg work on this one, another way is to drive around until you see a small construction site in your area and just go and ask question.

in a side note, also try and go to your local building department and ask some question.

Depending on the Vacant Lot there will be restriction on what your are allowed to build.

It's all really quite easy, you'll find that most people are very fourth coming with information.

Cheers.

@Account Closed

 in regards to the payment, I always make sure and have a schedule values,

(I.E.)

• Permits
• Rough Grading
• Concrete
• Framing
• Rough M,E,P

Prior to any payment this helps itemize the your cost so that you don't get ahead of yourself. Also I would have the G.C. provide a construction Schedule this help them stay on track.

Cheers