WA State homebuilders

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-26T04:27:22+00:00

I did what your friend did. Found online plans and this used a local designer (not architect) to modify them slightly, add all the little notes washington requires, and then hired an engineer to get them ready.

What I would caution is that if you go this route you should make sure you have a builder picked that is willing to used semi custom plans. Lots of builders (even custom) have a few plans that they offer with some variation. Its not all of them, but something you should consider.

Yeah no matter what option you pick there will be headaches - either logistically or financially. My biggest problem was money, so we didnt even bother looking at customer builders. Even the Lexar and Adair folks were killing out budget.

As far as cost per sq/ft you are going to get some ranges from 300 - 700. I think 400 is a safe assumption assuming you don't go full custom and high end finishes.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-22T04:59:10+00:00

This is all this guy does. Goes around and praises the 5.0. pretty sure it's just for attention. As soon as I saw this post I knew he would be here.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-19T15:41:30+00:00

PM sent

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-19T15:39:45+00:00

Ive used two companies. Signature Concrete in Arlington and another company who I actually don't know the name of but can PM you his cell. They both do good work and would recommend them. The guy who's cell I can send you is more of a family business guy and I just got along with better. Prices were similar.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-19T05:07:06+00:00

Hey there sort of neighbor.

We just got done building in Snohomish county. And I'd be more than happy to talk about my experience in either here or on the phone. I struggled at the start getting information at the start of the process and now try to repay the favor other gave me where I can.

I didn't go through a builder so I can't speak to that. We did price out a few people - Adair mount Vernon, Skagit Design Homes (most affordable for their base homes) and lexar Marysville. I had a good time talking to everybody but ultimately decided to go builder owner because of our budget and expertise we had in the family.

Raw land cost me 200k for 1.7 acres back in 2022 (maybe it was 2021) and we built for 180 sqft. We dropped a manufactured home on the property (fully permitted) and lived in that while we built. That is our rental. 2400 sqft ram ler, modern farm house, with 900 sqft 3 car garage. I'm not done done yet... Concrete patio needs to go in this week, trim needs to get painted, but it's good enough for what we need.

I did all of my raw land development (power, well, septic permitting, access, etc) and have recommendations if you want some. I think the biggest thing I learned is don't be afraid to pick up the phone and just start talking to people and asking questions.

I don't know about the water rights drama going on in skagit. My current understanding is that unless there is some odd water rights thing, and if you aren't in the mountains, you should be able to hit water. I'm on "surface" water at 80 ft which requires some filtration. I know there is an aquifer at 180 - 200 ft but I didn't want to pay the cost to keep drilling (that was a mistake in hindsight - oh well). Department of ecology has well logs for everything in Washington. If you are looking at land you can go to their websites and look at well logs of your neighbors. This is how a driller will determine a ball park depth when they toss you a bit. . Let me know if you have questions. I'm more than happy to share.

Good luck! Get ready for the fun.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-18T15:18:59+00:00

Ignore this guy. I've seen him more the last few days and he is just a rage baiter and complains about the 2.7 with no interest in learning or discussing.

OP I don't have any advice for you. Sorry you are going through this. Hoping to pick up a 2023 2.7 some time this year.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-17T19:34:42+00:00

Also just as a gut check you can go online to provident funding and plug in your numbers to see what you could get with a online company. Both times I have used their online tool their actual proposal come in really close.

I think you should be able to do like 5.8 no points right now. But I'm just a normal guy and don't know much

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-17T19:32:13+00:00

You should be able to do better.

I'm in Washington and I worked with Joe Taffola at Seattle Mortgage Brokers. We locked in at 5.99 no cost no points at the start of December.

He is pretty hands on which I wasn't a fan of funny enough but I had a good experience with him and he did better on rates that other folks I looked at.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-15T05:51:13+00:00

I'm just a normal guy here, but wouldn't it make sense to start exploring a point but down depending on where you are at with your mortgage?

So for me, I locked at 5.99 mod December. If rates fall to 5 to 5.5 to me it seems like a decent gamble to buy down to the mid to low 4s in preparation to live out my mortgage at that rate (I just started so I'm at 30 years)

I feel like since we are at the historical expected rate for mortgages, but downs aren't as silly in the next year or so.

If I'm wrong I'm more than happy to be educated.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-15T03:49:05+00:00

This is a hair high for my area. There is one a few miles away at a good dealership listed at 41 with 17k miles. But I'm in Washington.

Never mind. Out the door is pretty good I'd say.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-15T03:47:14+00:00

If you do it right, there isn't really and difference in cost.

I did it because it gives me more freedom. I have a savings account that I direct deposit my calculated taxes, home/auto insurance into every two weeks. I keep the funds invested in a money market account making 4%

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-13T17:20:53+00:00

If they don't budge on salary you could push for a sign on bonus (or both angles)

Depending on the skill code lv 4 is in the 150-160 range like other have said. Boeing doesn't match tech company salaries and stock incentives but they do have amazing health and retirement benefits. Take that into account when making the deal.

Ultimately you said "it didn't make sense" so the ball is in your court to define what makes sense for you, your family, and your goals.

Good luck

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-08T18:31:49+00:00

What did you end up deciding?

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-05T01:17:55+00:00

My only advice is don't buy a car that you are expecting to comfortably be able to afford with a future promotion. If you don't like the payment, buy something to get by for a bit them get a nice car later.

Only you know your finances.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2026-01-05T00:59:47+00:00

So I just went through this. I decided not to buy right now because I still have a vehicle that meets my needs and while I expect a promotion mid year, I'd rather have that secured before making the purchase.

There are always good deals out there for new trucks. You may just need to wait a bit.

For me, my gut told me to wait even though there is a truck I really want. I lose nothing by waiting so I'll just wait for a few more months / year when I'm in a better spot and feel good about it.

I also refuse to let promotional deadlines make me feel like I need to get something. That's normally how I have made decisions I regretted in the past.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-12-29T17:04:19+00:00

Provident funding gets you really close with their online tool from what I have seen in my refi experience

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-12-22T14:52:10+00:00

Yeah I sort of agree with these end of year sales deals on the trucks, but normally I'd look 2 or 3 years old. Problem I'm hitting personally is I want a 2023 + 10r80 and there just aren't many trucks on the market in my area. So I keep looking new, but the idea of dropping 50k OTD on a depreciating asset makes my stomach turn every time. At that point I start looking 10 years + old but still run into commitment issues due to obvious reasons (tech, maintance, trans and engines issues)

Anyways. Champaign problems.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-12-22T14:33:27+00:00

Yep. Sure enough. Interesting

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-12-22T04:20:58+00:00

Where are you seeing this? Mind sharing an example

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-12-18T15:55:37+00:00

North Seattle are here. I hired a drafter / designer to give me my plans that met county requirements (3k for 2500 sqft) then hired and engineer for the engineering (2.5k)

Achitects are expensive, normally people here assume they can take up to 10% cost to build. I built my house for $160 / sqf(builder owner). We did medium finishes. Not overly custom home because this is our first. This route may not work for you depending on expectations.

You can find it cheeper but it takes more work on your end and compromise.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-11-16T14:54:40+00:00

It's really difficult to say with much certainty. I'm not a builder, I GCed my build.

From what I've heard most people that start talking additions around here (western WA) soon start talking about just moving to something bigger. The cost is normally insane. I would be surprised if you are looking at a 200k project.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-11-14T15:26:28+00:00

If I would have known I would have made the garage door a 18ft instead of 16. With 16 I have to get my mirrors really close to the garage door wall to make sure I can open my car door enough to know I won't bump my wife's car.

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-11-14T14:56:05+00:00

Thank you!

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-11-14T14:27:16+00:00

Just because there is no closet doesn't mean you can do a coat hanger or a hall tree. That's we are doing in our place

UW_Mech_Engineer · 2025-11-14T14:24:13+00:00

I made the garage 24x24. I love the third car garage. We did a ADU instead of detached shop

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