Fire Your GC: The Homeowner's Guide to Taking Control of Your Build
Building a custom home, adding on or doing a major renovation? Learn how homeowners cut out a layer of markup, see every real price, and still get a professional-quality build.
- Where the 20% to 35% GC markup goes
- Step-by-step: bidding and hiring trades yourself
- Protecting your money at every draw
- Keeping trades on a critical-path schedule
You're in.
Your copy of Build Without the Markup is ready.
Want to talk through your project? Email jt@projectjt.com.
What's inside Build Without the Markup
The GC markup trap
Where 20% to 35% goes, and how little of it reaches your house.
The owner's rep advantage
How commercial developers build without a standard GC.
Trade bid leveling
Three bids per trade, compared apples to apples.
Schedule & critical path
Keeping trades in sequence so rooms never sit idle.
Lien waivers & pay applications
Paying people without putting your title at risk.
Templates & checklists
The appendix: templates, checklists and the terms you'll hear on site.
Homeowner questions
Can a homeowner legally act as their own general contractor?
In many states and localities, yes: owners can pull permits as an owner-builder for their own residence, but rules differ by state and county. We help you confirm the requirements where you're building before you start.
How does an owner's rep save money compared to a GC?
A general contractor typically adds overhead and profit on top of every subcontract and change order. With an owner's rep, you contract the trades directly and pay a defined management fee, so you see real trade pricing and avoid a markup layer.
What if I don't have construction experience?
That's the point of an owner's rep. You make the decisions; JT Pro handles scheduling, bidding, inspections and payment verification and explains each step in plain English.
Is the guide really free?
Yes. Enter your name and email and download it right away. No cost and no obligation.
Managing a commercial property instead? Get the Asset Manager Guide →
Who is managing your project?
Get an owner's rep on your side before the next change order lands.