A recession is the best time for an "owner builder". But you need to be very careful to not loose money to bankrupt suppliers or contractors. I was one of the last few to receive my kitchen appliances and cabinets when there was $10,000 in jeopardy. My friend at work a month later was sweating bullets. Those following him lost their 2/3 deposit.

Meanwhile, there were some really decent contractors who didn't normally frame houses (they framed six to eight unit townhomes) who came out and did an awesome job framing my home because they were hungry. They were a family operation and they cranked out quality work and kept the work site tidy.

The trouble is that later, only 1/4 of those quoting work were capable of doing the job. It's sometimes difficult to tell the difference between a salesperson and capable contractors. Visiting work in progress is a very important step. I visited homes that wood flooring contractors gave as references. The home owner was astonished at my visit because they had never authorized their project as an example. Soon they were leading me through their home pointing to defects in sanding. I visited work in progress where half the second story of the house was standing on two studs and the job appeared abandoned. There were inch diameter rust rings surrounded all the framing nails. Their complete home had a couple inch bow in the rear wall. Another under construction lacked ties at the trusses and it was spreading apart because nothing tied the top of the second floor walls together.

We are now in a major housing recession. The broader recession will hit us next year. Folks in the auto industry are already feeling the pain as are the builders. You need to be very sure your subcontractors are solvent and will complete their work... at least that they complete work they are paid for. You also need to be absolutely certain that these contractors pay for materials they have delivered because if they leave materials unpaid, there will be a lien against your home. That's the hard facts and you need to be very careful. You are better off paying for time and providing the materials. Then you can send folks packing if they don't perform and at least know the materials are paid up.

I sort of agree with your architect. I think they are both equal because they will both will collapse in the big shake. I wouldn't build with a basement in South Florida and I wouldn't build a basement in earthquake zone either. Both pose design issues that are best case senario to civil engineers. The problem is that California property costs so much, so if you want some space, you have to build multiple levels. That is at odds with having a basement. If I required a basement, I would pour eight inch concrete and keep as much as possible above the ground.

I almost think you would be better off with a wooden foundation below grade because flexible strength is what allows structures to survive the shake. You're also faced with what the inspectors are used to seeing, and that will make a big difference for smooth sailing on your project. If they see something out of the ordinary, the get worried about their scope and their knowledge. That means if they have never seen a wooden foundation or styrofoam block that's filled with pumped concrete, you're in for a battle regardless of the suitability. Both are most satisfactory methods, btw. They (inspectors) start citing codes they don't really understand and start asserting the authority that they have to disrupt your progress. A p/o'ed inspector can cost you tens of thousands without reason or consequence to him. Tread really carefully here. Always ask in advance what he wants to see. Here, the inspector wanted to see purple primer on plastic pipe. He wanted visible view of the perimeter drains too. The excavator was ticked off because the sides of the hole had covered the pipe. When I told him I would come out and dig it up, he returned to dig it up and pass inspection that had turned into an arguement.

I had inspectors here demand doubled joists because there was a pipe penetration running through the center inch of a 2x12 mid span. That part of the joist was not relevant to strength. He had no clue about where holes effected joist strength and where they didn't. His notion was also not supported by code. It was easier to add a double the 2x12 than to argue because if you start a debate, that sets the tone for everything that follows.

Installing that worthless double 2x12 will fall on your own list as general contractor, because the carpenters followed code. That means it's a new contract or an add-on. It won't interest them so it's going to cost a lot. This will be harder than you think. We nearly crushed an aluminum ladder putting this 18 footer in when it fell. Now it's on your list, so pay up or do it yourself. That fell on my own list as general contractor and my brother helped put the redundent and useless joist in. It was much easier and cheaper than launching a debate with the inspector, but it didn't benefit the home in any way.

As general contractor, I hope you have come to understand there are tons of "punch list" items that only fall on your own list. You won't be able to contract out these short list items because the cost will be too high with general contractors for numerous small items. There is no way to estimate and bid this long list of small but numerous items. I think Vikki knows what I'm talking about here. I think she's been down this road. You'll need decent tools, knowledge that surpasses your subcontractors, time and the patience to get through this. I've been through this... and it was worth it the first time through as a life experience. I wouldn't do it again unless I was very set on what I wanted for a home.

I also took courses in brick laying, carpentry and construction. That followed rehab of an older home where I learned a lot by trial and error. My wife and I also snooped around various construction projects for a year, sometimes visiting every weekend as construction progressed.

The carpenters were amazed when they asked what to do about a header for the garage windows where there was no space for code headers above the windows. I told them to put it inside the band board. They knew this was acceptable to code, but the didn't know I grasped the concept. That single demand change the relationship from "geek" building a home" to someone who knew his stuff. The same thing happened when the brick layers saw me do a respectable job laying up block across the porch. Really, this experience helped me to understand leading vs following too. If you can't do every task, you'll have a hard time leading the project.

I wouldn't do it again. Every penney you think you saved.. you earned. If this is your dream home and you're particular, get up to speed on every process. If not, move on and buy something completed.

Build to suit is not a bargain. It's all about getting exactly what you want.