How to do it yourself — as a general contractor

Darrell Hay recently interviewed Pat Fay, a Seattle-based instructor and author of the self-published manual "The Pat Fay Method: How to Manage Your Home Remodel or New Construction Without a General Contractor to Save Serious Money."

Q: You built your own 3,500-square-foot house in Kirkland for $65 per square foot in 1992-94. You have been teaching people in classes for years how to act as their own general contactor. This seems to coincide with the increase in consultants and other programs that help people act as their own general contractor. Why is this trend occurring in our area and around the country?

A: The actual cost of home improvements is not aligned well with the prices being charged, the quality of work has been declining and the working general contractor is slowly disappearing. Many now simply arrange subcontractors and provide minimal supervision. Quite frequently, general contractors will take the cost of the materials, add labor, then triple it. People are being charged $200-$250 per square foot for projects that can be accomplished for half that price.

Q: Tell me how the average homeowner can employ the "Pat Fay Method."

A: The best tool people have is knowledge and information. They can hire their own specialty contractors and supervise their work, just the same as a general contractor does. I teach the average person how to be a project manager; a construction manager; and how to find, screen and negotiate before hiring specialty contractors.

Q: Your philosophy has several rules to follow so inexperienced people do not get burned by predatory specialty contractors. Can you mention a few of these rules?

A: Do not put up large sums of money before work is performed. Do not accept verbal change orders. Insist on arbitration in any contract you sign, and have a knowledgeable construction arbiter arranged in advance. Do not use lawyers. A construction arbiter can help with construction advice on an hourly basis as well if you are really stumped.

Q: How does a person know what a reasonable price for a given project might be?

A: Traditionally, people may talk to two or three general contractors and get estimates. After all the extras are added up, it far exceeds the original price. By using specific negotiation methods, I teach the homeowner how to compare bids from specialty contractors and get the best price for each specific task.

I also have provided some guidelines for determining these costs through research and rules of thumb. These methods result in tremendous cost savings. RS Means (www.rsmeans.com) also sells excellent cost-estimating materials.

Q: Every project has certain duties that are not specifically any one trade's task. For example: cleanup. Where does the homeowner find semi-skilled labor for the intangibles?

A: I have found about 95 percent of the people sent out from Labor Ready and the Millionaire's Club have been very suitable for these miscellaneous duties. Just tell the people what areas of experience you are looking for, and they provide the day-labor manpower.

Q: What are the disadvantages to your methods?

A: Time commitment. But the average person has more time than money. A remodeling or new construction project may take six to 18 months. But it would take many years to save the tens of thousands of dollars available when you act as your own general contractor.

Q: I find it fitting that a man who teaches people how to act as their own general contractor has self-published his own book. Where can it be purchased?

A: Amazon.com has it ($29.95), as does Park Place Books in Kirkland, and it can also be ordered through my Web site: www.patfay.com ($39.95).

Darrell Hay is a local home inspector and manages several rental properties. Send home-maintenance questions to dhay@seattletimes.com. Sorry, no personal replies.