Please give your input. (Comment in area below the post.) It’s quite a while in the future before we have to decide this but…do we go with a local builder or prefabricated building.
The only way I’d even consider prefab is if #1 it is a company with a great reputation and track record, #2 it is a Vermont company, #3 the end product looks like a house not a box.
We are considering using Huntington Homes which fits all three of the above criteria.
My heart says use a local contractor. My concerns with that are costs continually rising over time, a contractor who is pulled between several jobs, and the process being very long (with us not living in Vermont to oversee it).
Huntington Homes gives a fixed cost. They claim to cost less per square foot because of their buying in bulk, working inside to build which cuts down on work stoppages, and repeated experience with similar designs. Even their non-custom home designs can be changed (rooms moved around, for ex. at no extra charge) which makes it easier for me to ultimately match the old Ridge Road House.
One must keep in mind other costs however, such as site costs (though our site being already developed will be less than the usual), and the foundation cost. Another cost with this prefab option is the ‘buttoning up’ charge where you do have to find an available local contractor who is willing to do the finish work on the house including any porches or garages.
Here is a house in Monkton, Vermont which is a good example of a finished Huntington Home that you wouldn’t guess is prefabricated.
Here is one of their stock home designs called Buck Hill (see below) with some of the basic design features that are similar to the Ridge Road House. Notice the upside-down V-shaped dormer on the front.
I would move the garage to the north side (opposite what it is in this photo since I want the south side to be for living not for parking). I have some reticence with this since it would be a change from the original design of the existing house.
I would also move the porch from the left to the right in this photo above which would more closely match the original house. See photo of the original house below.
OK - Here is an opposing opinion - Use a contractor. It sounds like you will have to find a contractor to "finish" it up anyway. I know there are horror stories out there about local, small contractors, but Kathy and I had an excellent experience when we built our house, so they aren't all bad. We looked at a number of kit plans, found one that was close, did some modifying, handed it off to the contractor who did some more modifying.
Your plans to re-use components out of the original house (I expect) will also run into serious issues with the builder off-site. Our contractor allowed me to do the few things in the house that I felt I had the skill and the time for. You may not be there every day to keep an eye on things, but Peter and Megan will be.
Find a local dude (or dudette), check out his/her other local work, talk to owners, take your time, work up your own plans.
There is my 2 cents worth. You'll do fine whichever way you choose if you take your time!
I think the house in Monkton is beautiful. Simple, elegant. I don't see how anyone could argue with your reasoning on this subject, but I would be interested to hear opposing views. If it's going to save you time, money, and stress to go with Huntington Homes, and give you a home that you love, I say do it.