Whats going on with the Havasu Building Contractors?

[Tahoe Tunnel Vision]

We have been trying to get bids from Havasu contractors for over a 15 months now to build a house. We have been to havasu 3 times in the last year to meet with contractors, agents and designers. We have sent plans out and interviewed 8 (recommended) contractors and only one has come back with a bid. The bid was more than the house would resale for not including the lot we own. Most do not return calls and they will not put their bids in writing. I'm stumped. This is a very strange way to conduct business compared to where we live. With the market in the tank it would seem to me that contractors would like to work instead of moving out or working for someone else. Permits are way down, what is going on.
If anyone knows a good quality contractor that returns calls and actually works with the client (with references, licenses, etc) who wants to build a house in Havasu for a decent price, I would like to talk to them. We have the lot and the engineered plans for the house. The plans are available in Havasu.
Please PM me or post the recommendations.
Thanks
Tim

[19'daytona]

p.m sent

[Tahoe Tunnel Vision]

Thanks,
I talked to Will and sent him a set of plans.

[Marty Gras]

I understand your problem. My wife and I have a house in southern California and we live in Havasu. When we have repairs done in Calif. the bill comes to (example) $500.00, in Havasu the same repairs are $1200.00. WHY? We have had problems with contractors here since before we actually moved here, and it's not getting any better. You need to have an outside (big city) general do the work and HE needs to have a LOCAL contractor push the project thru. (the city BS) You MUST also get the "time limit/ penalty" written into your contract BEFORE WORK BEGINS. Get everything up front in writing, or suffer the same fate that most here endure. Most of all, you need to be "on site" at least every other day or you will end up with a house and problems you did not order. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

[acatitude]

I think it's better to buy one already completed in this market

[havasumimi]

I think it's better to buy one already completed in this market
You are right on the mark there! The prices on the homes already built verses building are incredible! There are some bargains to be had!

[Tahoe Tunnel Vision]

We may wind up buying but I need to exhaust the building avenue first. It took us a year to find the lot and the views are fantastic. We also have a significant investment in the plans and engineering.
Thanks for the help.

[Marty Gras]

Unlike all the other lazy jackasses here I do not recommend purchasing some POS spec house. You have a lot, and house in mind. Go to outside sources! This town, it's mentality, and it's contractors are very toxic to any outside/original ideas. Wait until Jan/Feb 2008, and then contact a few local residents. Get together and talk about everyones 'problems' and then decide. I would be happy to tell you in person what our experiences were with a "major" home builder here in town. We designed our house and since then the builder has used many of our ideas in his new homes.That's ok, but he charged us EXTRA for our own ideas, now they are HIS ideas!. I don't think the local builders are hungry enough yet, and time will tell just what I'm talking about. We have property up near McCulloch's, we won't use a local builder! We will go out to Phoenix or Vegas for honest people! I wish you luck! PS I must add that I am not a blood sucking realtor!

[hava life]

We will go out to Phoenix or Vegas for honest people! I wish you luck! PS I must add that I am not a blood sucking realtor!
I don't know where you think you will get your honest people who will travel 3 hours to build a house Not every builder in this area is a crook.

[UltraBigDaddy]

Unfortunately it is very true. I am a Broker in Ca and Built a Home here in Havasu, which turned out to be a complete nightmare.... Unfortunately there aren't many dependable Builders and Not One will agree to have a penalty clause for completion date. Thats a big red flag! I found out most builders end up hiring out of havasu and out of Vegas and/or Phoenix. If I had to do it all over again, I would buy one that is complete without the headaches....
Hurst