A while ago I asked my US readers of my e-book, "Residential Development Made Easy" for questions they would like to ask a Master Builder.

I found a unique individual, Leonard Manion, who has been very generous with his time (he builds in 48 States) who gives answers straight from shoulder with apologises to no one.

I must also say that few builders would spend time to cater to these questions and answer so frankly.

Leonard answers are denoted by ProCustom Home tag. I have kept questioner's identity private, however answer has been send to them by email.

Question 1.

My wife and I are planning a new small retirement home. We have in mind a couple of builders in this area, and I plan on asking him these questions.

My wife is very adept at planning and researching. Under what circumstances do you recommend we hire an architect? and Why or why not? (This is not a loaded question. I am not an architect and neither is my brother-in-law. We would prefer to build without hiring an architect.)

Master Builder Replies

This would depend upon your budget. Some architects charge as much as 10% of budget of a home to do plans. We don't like to place our clients into a position of hiring an architect until they really need one.

First, loan, then land, then architect. In our case, we have in-house architects and structural engineers. We recommend our clients to hire a Interior Designer (ASID) and have them work with you to design floor plan which is uniquely suited for how you and your family use space and style you like.

Armed with floor plan you would then send it to us and we would create your architect blueprints from it. Blueprints are part of quote we provide our clients. This way they don't have sticker shock from a local architect.

Question 2.

How much price and quality research re materials can we expect our builder to do or to have done?

Master Builder Replies

Question 1.

Are there mandatory common national building codes that every state IN THE USA must abide by?

Reply

Unfortunately, answer is no. But if so, would it make my job would so much easier if there was. Every county, township and city has its own codes.

We simply call each one and get local codes and build from there. Can you imagine inefficiency and therefore costs that this process adds to cost of doing business from a builders and customers point of view.

It would be logical and wonderful if there was a common code for all States with separate list of Variations issued by each authority for things like climatic conditions.

By that I meanin cold climates we want codes to reflect minimum conditions for "retaining 'heat' inside house" and reverse for tropical climate.

However basic code for building houses to be same as to structural soundness etc. Unfortunately there is no "one" website to gain access to this information, you have to contact each individual authority.

Question 2.

When looking to develop raw land whom is best person to start with to determine what you can actually build on it?

Reply

I have written lots of information on this subject on my web site Blog at: http://www.realestatedevelopmentcoach.com/emailblog but start point is to determine zoning of land in question - from there everything flows.

I mean if you are looking at land that is zoned industrial (and you don't know this) any thought you may have of building a house on it is a waste of time, OK?

Next - if it is land for creating a residential subdivision, go and see an engineer, if you live in USA; or a Land Surveyor in other countries like Australia, New Zealand or UK.

If land is zoned for units, apartments, condos or any higher density development, you should see an architect if you want to develop property yourself.

Question 3.

I have seen Hearing Notices placed on recently purchased land in my area. It seems to take months before hearings in our area of P.G. County, Maryland actually happen.

Reply