Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

DH and I need to add at least one bedroom to our tiny home but we don't have much money. I have heard people mention contractors doing a 'shell extension.' What I *think* this means is that the contractor comes in, frames out the room [extension] and the homeowner does the interior walls etc. It is supposed to save lots of money. Does anyone have experience or know anyone whose had this done?

Message edited 5/23/2008 7:42:04 AM.

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

We did this in my moms home when we dormered. I know there is a company called Shells Only. We used West Hills. My DH finished it from shell on and yes it saved ALOT of money It means exactly what you wrote. They put the frame up and you do everything else...

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

Hey Gabi!! when Mike & I were talking about extending upstairs, it would've been just the shell and Mike (& the rest of the Johnsons lol) would've finished the interior. we're not going to do it b/c we can't really even afford the shell-but when we did get bids for just doing the shell it was way cheaper than having a contractor do all the work. Mike has the # of someone who gave us a good price. I'll get you the info.

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

Posted by BlessedMommy

We did this in my moms home when we dormered. I know there is a company called Shells Only. We used West Hills. My DH finished it from shell on and yes it saved ALOT of money It means exactly what you wrote. They put the frame up and you do everything else...

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

Posted by HelenZ

Hey Gabi!! when Mike & I were talking about extending upstairs, it would've been just the shell and Mike (& the rest of the Johnsons lol) would've finished the interior. we're not going to do it b/c we can't really even afford the shell-but when we did get bids for just doing the shell it was way cheaper than having a contractor do all the work. Mike has the # of someone who gave us a good price. I'll get you the info.

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

you have FM!

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

My parents did this when my sister was born...so 18 years ago...

Anyway, the shell for the upstairs was put up for my parents, and my parents did the rest! (Other than the electric I think).

I am sure it saved them quite a pretty penny at the time.

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

I too would love this info...

TIA

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

FM

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

me three! Please FM Shells Only info if you could and we would really appreciate it

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

Could someone FM info on this also?

We looked into a regular extension but this is too much $$$

TIA

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

Thanks for your help Helen and Chrissy. After talking to our neighbor across the street who basically rebuilt his whole house, DH is going to the Town of Islip before we call anyone for an estimate. The neighbor said that since we have a corner property, there are certain rules regarding how far the building can extend toward the curb, which is where the extension will be built. After he gets that info, we are going to consult an architect [thanks Chrissy!] and get in touch with Shells Only for an estimate. Here is the Shells Only website for anyone who is interested: Shells Only.

I think when the company first started out, they were only doing shells [hence the name] but as they've grown, it has obviously [from the website] grown into a full fledged builder. I may give them a call today just to make sure they still do shells only! I'll keep everyone interested, updated as to what I find out.

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

we just had dormer king come and there prices were way better than anyone else...they are in god atsnding with the BBB but....we also talked about shelles only, im gonna get a price for them....perfect post!!!

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

We used Shells Only - they did our entire extension. If anyone has any questions on our experience, please FM.

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

I talked to a bunch of contractors when I was looking to have my extension done.

The "shells only" concept doesn't seem too bad, but it does have it's flaws.

It's cheaper, but not that much cheaper. Especially if you have them include the electrical and plumbing into the shells quote (two big ticket items).

So if you get a shell, you still have to sheetrock+tape+spackle yourself and this is some of the most annoying parts of the job.

You also still have to pay for your architect, permits, and major stuff like foundation, framing, roof, insulation, etc.

I think if you shop around you could probably find a quote for a finished job close to what a shell would cost from any of the shells companies.

I met with Shells Only, they were "eh". Didn't do it for me.

I met with Dormer King on a Sunday afternoon and while their prices for a full dormer were good, their price for a smaller job wasn't the greatest. The owner seemed nice, but showed up drunk. Well maybe not drunk, but he was definitely a little tipsy as he came to my house after just having lunch with a friend (as well as a few beers).

I would check out Sierra. They gave me a very good quote and I kinda wished I would have went with them instead of the company I ended up with (all-island remodeling).

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

Posted by twinkletoes807

Thanks for your help Helen and Chrissy. After talking to our neighbor across the street who basically rebuilt his whole house, DH is going to the Town of Islip before we call anyone for an estimate. The neighbor said that since we have a corner property, there are certain rules regarding how far the building can extend toward the curb, which is where the extension will be built. After he gets that info, we are going to consult an architect [thanks Chrissy!] and get in touch with Shells Only for an estimate. Here is the Shells Only website for anyone who is interested: Shells Only.

I think when the company first started out, they were only doing shells [hence the name] but as they've grown, it has obviously [from the website] grown into a full fledged builder. I may give them a call today just to make sure they still do shells only! I'll keep everyone interested, updated as to what I find out.

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

Posted by twinkletoes807

Thanks for your help Helen and Chrissy. After talking to our neighbor across the street who basically rebuilt his whole house, DH is going to the Town of Islip before we call anyone for an estimate. The neighbor said that since we have a corner property, there are certain rules regarding how far the building can extend toward the curb, which is where the extension will be built. After he gets that info, we are going to consult an architect [thanks Chrissy!] and get in touch with Shells Only for an estimate. Here is the Shells Only website for anyone who is interested: Shells Only.

I think when the company first started out, they were only doing shells [hence the name] but as they've grown, it has obviously [from the website] grown into a full fledged builder. I may give them a call today just to make sure they still do shells only! I'll keep everyone interested, updated as to what I find out.

Re: Please Help! Anyone have experience with a shell extension?

selfish bump

If anyone could FM me with quotes they received, that would be great!