Owner/Builder in Southern California

[sdeng87]

Does anybody here have owner/builder experience in southern California? I've been 'stashing my cash away for several years and am beginning to explore this possibility. My parents have been owner/builders on two homes now (late 80s, early 00s), however, the financing and permitting seems to have been changed a lot since then. If anybody has any experience, please chime in or share your stories.

How is the financing for construction loans?
What are some unforeseen obstacles?

Thanks

[Johnny Aloha]

I recently did owner/builder on a small renovation (not in CA).

Lesson learned: it is worth the money to hire a draftsman/permit runner to develop the drawings and secure the permits - even though most people can do this themselves.  They have the "special handshake" to make the permitting process quicker and much less stressful.

I paid about 8% of the project cost for this service and it was worth every penny.