I Spent Over $1m building a house. Heres what I learned

The video is about the speaker's experience building a house and the lessons he learned, including the fluctuating prices of materials, government corruption, the complexity of the building process, and the high cost of changes.

This video by John Crestani was published on Jan 14, 2023.
Video length: 09:43.

The video is about the speaker, John Christani, sharing his experience of building a house that cost over $1 million.

He discusses the lessons he learned during the process, including the fluctuating prices of materials, government corruption and bureaucracy, the complexity of construction causing chaos, and the high cost of making changes.

He also mentions specific examples, such as the increase in timber and steel prices, and the challenges he faced in obtaining permits and approvals from various agencies.

• The prices for building materials can change significantly during the construction process.
• The bid from the contractor may not accurately reflect the final cost of materials.
• The speaker experienced firsthand the corruption within government agencies during the approval process for building the house.
• The complexity of building a house can lead to chaos and complications.
• Making changes during the construction process can be very expensive.

I Spent Over $1m building a house. Heres what I learned - YouTube

Fluctuating Prices of Materials

• The prices for building materials can change significantly during the construction process.
• The bid from the contractor may not accurately reflect the final cost of materials.
• For example, the price of timber increased six times higher than the initial bid.
• The cost of steel also went up three times during the construction period.
• These price fluctuations can significantly impact the overall cost of building a house.

Government Corruption

• The speaker experienced firsthand the corruption within government agencies during the approval process for building the house.
• It took three and a half years to get approval in the state of California, which has numerous regulations and bureaucratic hurdles.
• Expediters, who are supposed to expedite the process, demanded exorbitant fees for simple tasks.
• Specific agencies engaged in corrupt practices, charging $25,000 for a 30-minute inspection.
• This corruption adds unnecessary delays and costs to the construction process.

Complexity Causes Chaos

• The complexity of building a house can lead to chaos and complications.
• The speaker had to navigate through multiple agencies and obtain approvals from about a dozen different agencies.
• Each agency required multiple approvals, adding to the complexity and time required.
• The process involved permits from LA County, fire department, police department, geologic surveys, and the California Coastal Commission.
• The levels and roof lines of the house also added to the complexity of the construction process.

I Spent Over $1m building a house. Heres what I learned - YouTube

High Cost of Changes

• Making changes during the construction process can be very expensive.
• Any modifications or adjustments to the original plan can significantly increase the overall cost of the project.
• Changes may require additional materials, labor, and time, leading to higher expenses.
• It is important to carefully consider and plan any changes to avoid unnecessary costs.
• The speaker learned the importance of minimizing changes to stay within budget.

Lessons Learned from Building a House

• Incorrectly designing a complex roofline can be costly in terms of materials and support beams.
• Hiring architects for the design process can be expensive.
• Erosion control is important and can be costly to fix if not properly addressed.
• Retaining walls are expensive to fix, especially in California where permits are required.
• Change orders during the building process can be very expensive.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Building a House

• The price of building a house can fluctuate due to government regulations and the permitting process.
• The complexity of the building design can add significant costs.
• Erosion should be considered when planning the support for hillsides.
• Change orders can greatly increase the overall cost of the project.
• It is advisable to keep things simple and avoid unnecessary complexity.

Watch the video on YouTube:
I Spent Over $1m building a house. Heres what I learned - YouTube