Building My Building Company

There are more expensive options in both HubSpot and Rhino, but I will be going with their basic package – basically I have to keep up with everything myself instead of getting a dedicated consultant from either company to help me – do it yourself, so to speak.

My research shows that both HubSpot and Rhino do the same thing.  I can’t see any line items in either proposal that differ.  The bottom line is Rhino will cost $100/month and Hubspot $250/month.  Easy decision (if I am missing anything anyone else has learned, let me know).  I’ll be starting with Rhino officially in the near future (as soon as my funding arrives!)

I had another article about PROCESS published in Residential Design & Build magazine.  You can see the article here: http://www.rdbmagazine.com/print/Residential-Design-and-Build/Build-Your-Process-First/1$4154

This past weekend I started working through my http://www.homesbybridgewater.com webpage.  It is definitely different than most Builders – but I am really trying to stand apart and sell something different than nice pictures of great homes.  I would appreciate any comments on the site from anyone.  Always looking for new ideas.

So here is what I now have planned.  I have located a partner who is willing to write me a $10,000 check exclusively for advertising and marketing our homebuilding concept here.  The money backer is actually a CBMS Builder (one of my clients).  CBMS has been so powerful for him, that he wants to branch out in a similar manner with other construction companies – so I will serve as a guinea pig for him and together we are going to prove what a motivated builder with the right PROCESS can do.  My current task is to write down this marketing plan, perform some more research as to costs/where we want to spend money, then start executing the new plan.

We’ll, I am sorry to announce that this project we have worked on so far is now indefinitely on hold.  Financing is something that the Homeowner can not overcome – not on his terms.  I actually just received a formal letter from the Homeowners letting me know that they have been very happy with what we have done so far, but due to the economic conditions they will not be starting their home this year.  It stinks, but luckily I just came back from two weeks of vacation and I am motivated more than ever to prove our CBMS concepts.  We did it once with the only Homeowner I’ve come in contact with, we’ll do it again – just need to contact that next Homeowner.  I’ve got something cooking!  More to come….

The original plan was to pull permits on July 1 and go on vacation for a week.  The vacation happened, the permits did not.  More about this issue to follow.

Well everyone, I guess this is never as easy as it seems.

We now have a delay in Closing tomorrow because the house is in Flood Zone A and requires Flood Insurance for the construction loan.  This would not be a problem; however the National Flood Insurance Program is currently suspended in Congress awaiting funds before it can be re-issued and a policy can be written for the project.  No insurance, no loan.

EMAIL SENT TO THE HOMEOWNERS TODAY (they live out of town, would like to meet in person, but these items need to be discussed so we are all on the same page):

D.., P.., and Sam,

Can we schedule a phone call on Thursday?  What time works?

THURSDAY AGENDA:
-          Set up National Fund Control Account and prepare for our first draw (or decide how the initial requirements will be funded).
-          Explain what Permits (Callawassie and Beaufort) need to be obtained and when Nate will apply for them.
-          I want to finalize our decision and get the OK on the Foundation Crew (Bremer Concrete).
-          I want to finalize our decision and get the OK on the Lumber Yard (Berlin Myers).
-          I want to finalize our decision and get the OK on the Carpenter (Bruce Hewson- Four Square).
-          Review the Co-construct online tool for making/finalizing Selections.
OTHER THINGS UPCOMING:
-          We need the Cabinet Layouts prior to starting the foundation (and Appliance list – to make sure our appliances fit with our cabinets and I know the power source for each appliance)
-          We need the Plumbing Fixture list prior to starting the foundation.

Thanks!
Nate