u/Top-Tiger3479

We’re on our second builder, and I’m genuinely curious if this is just the reality of building a custom/semi-custom home.

We were extremely detailed up front with what we wanted. The owner was great during the planning/bidding process, and our project manager is honestly a great guy. I like him personally. But throughout the actual build, I feel like I’m constantly managing the project manager.
Communication is slow. I have to follow up on unanswered questions. Decisions seem to come up at the last second. Trades show up and I’m finding out things weren’t communicated to them. I’m catching details that were already discussed or documented before they get installed incorrectly. There have been multiple times where it feels like things are just flying by the seat of their pants.

The cost side has probably been the most frustrating. If I had just kept my mouth shut and paid everything that came across, I honestly think we’d be at least $10k higher right now. I’ve had to question charges, go back to previous conversations/quotes, point out things that were supposed to be included, and fight for credits or corrections.

And I’m not talking about changing my mind halfway through construction and expecting things for free. I understand change orders and legitimate cost increases. I’m talking about having to stay on top of things that were already agreed upon.

At this point I feel like building the house has become a second job. I’m constantly checking the site, looking at plans, reviewing invoices, following up on emails, catching mistakes, and trying to figure out what decisions need to be made next before something gets installed.
I understand that no build is perfect and there are a million moving pieces. But isn’t the entire reason you hire a GC/builder and have a project manager so that they manage those moving pieces?

I don’t expect perfection. I just expected someone to be more on top of the project than I am.

For those who have built before: Is this genuinely normal? Did you have to stay this involved to get the house you were paying for? Or are there builders out there where you can actually trust the process and not feel like you need to supervise your own build? Maybe I need to spend more than $600k on the build alone to find someone competent.

Looking for siding opinions on our new build in western Wisconsin.

Front elevation is LP SmartSide board and batten with LP trim around all windows and doors and will stay that way regardless.

Current plan:
Vinyl board and batten on sides/rear

Other options:
LP board and batten all the way around: +$9,000

Vinyl lap siding on sides/rear with board and batten in the peaks: +$3,100 (assuming cost increase is due to increased labor to install)

My concern is that the vinyl board and batten has narrower spacing than the LP on the front, so I’m wondering if the transition will look odd.

Would you:
Keep the current plan?
Spend the $9k for LP all the way around?
Switch to vinyl lap on the sides/rear?

House is a modern farmhouse in the country on some acreage. Not looking to debate the design, just trying to decide what offers the best appearance and value.

Looking for siding opinions on our new build in western Wisconsin.

Front elevation is LP SmartSide board and batten with LP trim around all windows and doors and will stay that way regardless.

Current plan:
Vinyl board and batten on sides/rear

Other options:
LP board and batten all the way around: +$9,000

Vinyl lap siding on sides/rear with board and batten in the peaks: +$3,100 (assuming cost increase is due to increased labor to install)

My concern is that the vinyl board and batten has narrower spacing than the LP on the front, so I’m wondering if the transition will look odd.

Would you:
Keep the current plan?
Spend the $9k for LP all the way around?
Switch to vinyl lap on the sides/rear?

House is a modern farmhouse in the country on some acreage. Not looking to debate the design, just trying to decide what offers the best appearance and value.