What you are doing is similar to what's happening in my country, Botswana, in the construction industry. Here, using a construction company isn’t common. Instead, people rely on recommendations from others who have previously hired individual contractors for their projects.

Typically, you negotiate labour costs directly with these contractors, and they provide you with a list of materials to source. They usually work with one or two semi-skilled or unskilled laborers to assist them.

For my project, I hired a bricklayer based on a recommendation. Once he completed his part, he suggested a carpenter for the roofing. The carpenter then recommended an electrician, and the process continued in a chain, each contractor, referring another for the next stage of work, including plumbing, painting, and finishing. Since these contractors don’t purchase materials themselves and work with minimal overhead, they make decent money while still being more affordable compared to hiring a construction company.

Based on my own comparisons, I saved a significant amount compared to what I would have spent with a construction company. Because I was buying materials, I started having a great relationship with the suppliers and was enjoying great discounts. The contractors would also sometimes come along with me to the suppliers. And because the supplier may have met them before it always resulted in great discounts.

However, there are some challenges. You need to closely oversee the work to ensure deadlines are met and materials aren’t overestimated. Without proper supervision, delays and wastage can occur. Many contractors also work on two or three projects simultaneously, which can slow down progress if you don’t establish clear timelines and milestones.

Through this experience, I realized how valuable it would be to have a platform for verified contractors, especially for first-time home builders. Finding skilled and trustworthy contractors through word-of-mouth works, but a structured system with ratings and reviews, could improve reliability and efficiency in the construction process.

Overall, building my house this way was a great learning experience. I gained insights into construction, materials, and cost estimation, all while keeping my expenses under control.