Ripped off *royally* by a builder

I don't approve of anyone treating anyone else poorly once a contract has been accepted - but L$4000 is peanuts for a custom build by anyone with any skill. You can be sure that, for that price, one of the following is true:

(a) you're getting a con-artist who will slap up a prefab that cost less, or, more charitably, already has a similar build in their inventory which they can quickly modify;
(b) you're getting an incompetent builder who nobody else will hire;
(c) you're getting a complete newbie who is claiming to be a "designer" but has no idea about SL;
(d) they like you or your build and are doing it for reduced cost;
you're getting someone with real skills who is trying to make a name for themselves and will thus take any contract going (WARNING: THIS IS VERY VERY RARE). Or they live in a country with a favourable exchange rate.

Think about the time required (considerable) and the pay per hour in real currency. Unless spending time with you is amazingly entertaining, nobody serious is going to spend hours on that.

My points were fairly clear and I don't think particularly accusational or confrontational.

I pointed out that we only had one side of the story and that it's always worth finding out the other- I've lost count (I mean it was more times than I have fingers and I didn't feel like taking my socks off) of how many topics I've read on this board (or the old general one) with "ZOMG RIPPED OFF IN SL" that turned out to be some crossed wires or whatever. I have little sympathy for incompetent builders- one of my good friends was messed around in a very similar way. I also cringe when I get IMs that start "Ace, we had someone make some mods to your house but..."

Thanks to Colette and Ordinal, for backing me up. L$4000 is *nothing* for expecting someone to sit at their computer for what I would imagine (for a reasonable sized build) something like a full working day (possibly two) working just for you. Seriously. $15 for the undivided work and attention of a 3d modeller for hours and hours, on a job just for you and nobody else? Building is not like parking your av on a dancing pole and LOLing with your friends for two hours and 200L$. It's actual work.

None of my prefabs are over 2k- over half are less than 1/4 that. Prefabs are great- you build them in your own time to your own tastes and if people like 'em they buy 'em. But it could take days to complete a single custom build (or at least for something as grand sounding as a castle I hope they put the time in). To write off all that work for $15 is selling yourself too cheap.

I did a custom build once. I talked with the client, we agreed an arrangement that would be suitable for us both- that it would be within a certain prim limit and dimensions, nothing too unique, and that I would be able to sell it as a prefab later- all this besides the basic requirements of the house design. We agreed a price with a rebate on each prefab version sold after. In the end I paid the client back the cost in full because ensuing sales had passed the original "custom" price and I felt that was no more than fair to do.

I've also built for free, because I liked the idea. I just wish there wouldn't be this default devaluing of talent expecting people to take akf-nightclub-dancer money for doing work. The plumber charges me £50 ($90) just to knock on my front door!

One of the greatest pleasures of SL is being able to build stuff. A few hours spent picking up the basics of building should mean you never need to call in another builder!

Although I build stuff for sale I would think very carefully before agreeing to take on a building job for someone.

Mozo,

You'll find that most other builders/service providers in SL are very professional.

I recommed that you look through the developer directory for a list of people that you can hire for various things. The developer directory does not suggest that the businesses are trustworthy or not; however, you at least have more information to use to make that assessment.

Ideally, your builder should have the resources to do work offsite since that capability suggests a greater commitment to SL (they have access to land - not necessarily theirs, but they can work somewhere else).

In some cases, your builder might create a prototype for you to see if you and the builder are thinking about the same thing or if styles/tastes are similar. I often do that up front, without charging anything nor any expectation of the customer engaging my services. It demonstrates good will and a willingness to listen to the customer.

Once you engage someone, insist on getting ownership of the build once it is done. Some builders may sell you the build on the spot (by selling it to you part by part for L$ zero), or by giving you the build outright.

You should also negotiate permissions up front - try get copy permission at the least to avoid loss in case of inventory issues, roll-backs etc.

I'm embarrased to admit this, but I just got the pun in the thread title.....

LOL =pPppp

Hear Ye , hear Ye -

Bad builders will Henceforth be put in the stocks for a period of 3 days, after which they will be , tarred, feathered, drawn and quatered, beheaded and then boiled in oil.

I didn't expect a Spanish Inquisition......

No One expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Sorry you had this bad experience! I hope you get what you're looking for. If you are still looking for a builder I know one who is awesome, does most of her own textures, and does beautiful building. Check out Cameo Isle for a sample and then PM me if you want her name.

I have always had my houses custom built by the above builder. One way to ensure I get what I want, right down to the floor plan is by looking at web sites for buying house floor plans. I find one that I like, upload the pictures of the house and the floor plans and then send them to the builder. Then I send a note-card explaining what changes in the floor plan I'd like (IE a SL house rarely needs a garage, sometimes I'd like to combine 2 bedrooms into one big one...one bath instead of 3, etc...) and let her go to it. I'll check in once in a while, mention things that I'd like different, etc. I definitely don't hover. She is a good friend of mine and I still show her the courtesy of letting her work in peace. she's good so she can quickly make changes during the short check-in times.

Using real floor plans can really help the builders alot and it's only $10L to upload each picture, usually 1 for the outside, and 1 for each floor of the house.

Anyway that's my 2 cents

Good Luck