[PipeGuy]

I am a 25 year old woman from Chicago with NO personal experience with contracting of any form, but my husband is a framer.
I want to build houses!! Chicago is a very competetive market amoung sub contractors ( I know this because everyone that my parents know build houses and own their own contracting business etc.). My question is this, how difficult would it be for a women??

Let's see...25; no experience; married to a framing carpenter; very competitive subcontract market; lots of other builders; woman.

If you ask me there's only one thing in that list that's an advantage to you; the last. As a woman you can pretty much do whatever you want and you'll be OK wether the business flies or dies. You'll always have your husband out there putting his shoulder to the grindstone, day in and day out, making sure the family can eat and sleep easy at night. Women have lots of options in America - sounds like you're good'n ready to explore some of them. It's probably a good thing your husband doesn't know how things work in America - good for you that is.

What skills do you have? What would you think if your husband came home one day and said "Hey honey, I don't know jack about banking but since you know how to count money, and there's lots of banks around here, and our parents know bankers, and I'm sure I can be a banker, lets risk the little bit of home equity we've managed to accumulate and open a bank."? Does that sound good?

Do yourself a favor and go to work for a builder for a couple of years. See first hand what goes on, who's who, etc. Establish some working relationships with those you'll need to know in order to make it in the industry. One of the things about how it works everywhere, wether here or in the old country, it's often not what you know, it's who you know.

 

[PipeGuy]

I want to build houses!! I believe that I CAN DO IT! My question is this, Where would I begin??

Here's a thumbnail sketch of a success that I've witnessed first hand:

During a four year undergraduate program build personal relationships by active participation in the "greek" system. Upon graduation parlay those relationships into a ground level job with a major national production homebuilder.
Learn production home building from the ground up during several years as a laborer, punch out mechanic, superintendent, etc. All the while build relationships with subcontractors and bosses and continue to acquire skills. Parlay good relationships with bosses into opportunities for promotion. Climb the corporate ladder. Work hard. Get in early. Go home late.
During the first 1 - 5 years with the company purchase, lived in, and subsequently sell, two homes through the company's 'employee discount' program. Build substantial equity through a combination of the discounted purchase prices, "upgrading" the homes during construction through the leveraging of subcontractor relationships, tireless DIY self-improvement and favorable re-sale markets.
After almost 10 years with the same company act as your own GC and build a semi-custom, home. Again, use subcontractor relationships and first hand building experience to build at a price substantially less than the appraised value.
After more than 10 years with the same company take a promotion with a different, higher end, national builder and continue to build relationships and gain skills. After another couple of years, meet someone in the 'finance end' of the industry who would bring skills and relationships, that you don't otherwise have, to a business venture. Look at your combined experiences and relationships and identify target markets and investors for your 'break-out'. Once again, sell your home at a considerable profit, build an even more upscale home and use it as a model home upon launching your business. At the same time raise a family, go on vacations, help your aging parents, maintain friendships, etc. That's all it takes.

 

[PipeGuy]

I have already managed two succesful businesses for my parents, and so far no one has declared bankrupcy

You are exceptional to say the least. Few 25 year olds will have that sort of experience on their resumes.

This also felt like a "low blow comment" because this is not as if I have just woke up one morning and decided "Lets build!! Everyone can do it for me, and if all else fails, Daddy's money will rescue us!!"

Written correspondence often leaves much to be desired in terms of fully grasping the nuances of another's situation. I'm sure if I was you I might feel similarly offended. Please forgive me any rudeness my response may have conveyed. As for your dad's ability to lend financial aid, I made no assertion in that regard. [/QUOTE]

I am willing to put a lot of hard work into educated my self before I undertake this type of venture.

No doubt you are. That's why I followed up with a more helpful post after my initial. Good Luck.