Replies

1. 
   BobKovacs | Oct 15, 2003 07:26pm | #1

   Yeah- they'll charge you $25,000 for a franchise fee, and about 8% royalty for the privilege of helping homeowners act as their own contractors.  And, they make it sound so easy too- no construction experience required.   Now that's a good laugh.....

   Bob

2. 
   DougU | Oct 16, 2003 02:12am | #2

   Where you at Tim, they have it here in Austin, TX. I know someone that actually used them, they act as a general from what I understand and they charge you I think a flat fee, might be getting some of the details wrong though.

   They are unlike President Homes in that they don't sell you the package to build, I'm sure there are a lot of things I don't know about them.

   What is it your looking for?

   Doug

1. 
   tkiser | Oct 19, 2003 04:14pm | #6

   Would they use their services again?  Strong points weak points?

   Tim

1. 
   DougU | Oct 19, 2003 09:51pm | #8

   Tim

   I dont think so, they basiclly just GC the job, also provide some assistance in subs, where to buy products and so forth. They do oversee everything but I think the guy that I know that used them could have done the same without them, just lacked the confidence to do it himself.

   I dont know anymore about them than what this particular guy said about them, I dont think I would need them but they may have some benifit, not knowledgable enough to say one way or the other.

   Sorry not anymore help than that

   Doug

2. 
   Piffin | Oct 20, 2003 01:28am | #9

   From your come on in that Rastra thread, it seems as though you have a ubuildit franchise, but in this thread, it seems more like you are considering using them. You might get more complete answers if you gave out more complete information.

   Are you really trying to ferret out info about them or are you one of them and just trying to raise interest?

   Personally, I have no solid information. I have functioned to provide similar services to HOs in the past so the basic business plan/model is not bad, but I don't understand them selling a franchise in something that any local experienced builder is capable of doing within his own business model and marketing environment.

   That leads me to a conclusion that they are promising to put franchisees into a position - through their training program - that they are not inately qualified by experience, to fulfill. That lack of experience spells trouble for the homeowners who happen to fall for the line.

   As I said, this is all based on a line of logical reasoniong given the few things I do know and not on any first hand experience with them. I could be wrong..

   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   calvin | Oct 16, 2003 05:27am | #3

   As some have said, a company set up to help you build your dream home.  They will help (and charge for it) you plan, estimate, order material, find subs etc.  All or part.  I had two homowners that i have done remodels for in the past check out ubuildit and they both decided they didn't need the help (cost).  It ate up all they thought they would save over hiring a general..........so they bothered me for referrals and troubleshooting the day to day running of the job.  They both did a good job, and I wasn't too put out.  I'd think twice b/4 I used their service.  Best of luck

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

4. 
   JLazaro317 | Oct 16, 2003 07:46am | #4

   I prefer to think of them as U Pimp It. You pay the fee so that you do all the legwork, they help "manage" the job, give you a list of subs, and tell the unsuspecting person that they'll save thousands. 

   You do all the legwork (while working your day job), they do drive-by's to check your job (occasionally), trust the subs to do a competent job (because you may lack the experience to recognize shoddy work), and you pay the subs more than a builder would (because subs typically charge more for homeowner jobs). In the end,  you don't really save anything, realize that you neglected your family while you tried to work two jobs, and you could have hired a competent builder and had a quality home built for you.

   Yeah, I'm bitter and I'm biased.

   John

   J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

   Indianapolis, In.

   http://www.lazarobuilders.com

5. 
   Flathead | Oct 16, 2003 03:13pm | #5

   It's a pretty good scam. I wish I would have thought of it first. Damn!

   WAHD

6. 
   EricPaulson | Oct 19, 2003 09:41pm | #7

   Tim,

   Didn't you just say that you work for them in the thread "Y are builders so conservative"?

7. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 20, 2003 05:40am | #10

   sounded to me like U are them.

   Fess up ...

   also sounds like it here ... you asked for good/bad points after John already gave you what sounded like a first hand bad experience.

   What ya trying to sell?

   Jeff

   32 posts ... nonspecific "personal info" ...no location ....... sounds like a snow job to me.

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/19/2003 10:42:17 PM ET by Jeff J. Buck

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 20, 2003 06:55am | #11

   Sniff, sniff, what's that smell?.

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   CAGIV | Oct 20, 2003 07:51am | #12

   http://forums.prospero.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=35842.32

8. 
   CAGIV | Oct 20, 2003 07:55am | #13

   Noticed you started another thread this morning with the same topic.

   Did you loose this one or are you spamming.

   You've been slightly less then forthright up to now given the fact you failed to mention you work for the company.  What is your point of posting this, are you trying to do "market research" and see how your company is perceived, or are you simply trying to build interest in the company?

1. 
   tkiser | Oct 20, 2003 02:26pm | #14

   I was at first looking to see any negative or positive information about UBuildIt.  I was looking thinking of working with this company.  Since then I have taken the job.  I reposted it because I wanted to get feed back from the weekenders.  Thanks

   Tim

   Edited 10/20/2003 7:41:58 AM ET by tim

1. 
   calvin | Oct 20, 2003 04:27pm | #15

   ok, and now we'll hope for your report from the inside.  How bout it?Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time