Venting...and a question or 2

[Anne]

Hi. This will probably be long, so I appreciate everyone's patience.
Our home building saga started a year ago. We just wanted a MH with a couple upgrades, drywall and 5/12 roof pitch. We found the floorplan we wanted after looking at countless models over a span of 2 years. Since the floorplan we liked was over 1 1/2 hrs away, we found a dealer closer to us that could get it. He referred us to a mortgage consultant who got us approved for 80k. The dealer said that wouldn't be enough, so after 4 mo's, we finally got approved for 95k, which he said would more than cover everything, 59,900 for house, 21k for site work, 3600 for sales tax, 3000 for closing costs, 7500 for upgrades. In the meantime we had problems with the deed to our property. After 6 mo's the mortgage and the deed were finally set. Since then the dealer/general contractor has been dragging his feet getting all the site work estimates, which in hubby's and my opinion should have been pretty well all set up late last year. At the end of march, I finally got fed up with him and took matters into my own hands. I got out the old yellow pages, and in a matter of hours or days, got all the site work estimates that we needed at close to the original cost that he told us, not what he told us less than a month ago, which was 28k and counting. He wanted us to get the building permit in our name, which we did, because he's been having trouble getting he contractors license renewed.
It was hubby and my understanding that he get's paid, as a dealer/contractor, from selling us our house, as of 3 days ago that is. Now he's trying to tell us that in addition to selling us the house, we're supposed to pay him a general contractors fee. Seems ludicrous to me since i'm the one doing all the work, and will probably continue to do it all. I just don't trust him anymore, but hubby WILL NOT switch dealers at this point. We have had to drop all the upgrades we wanted and getting the garage at this point is iffy. There just doesn't seem to be enough money. My question is, is the money that he gets from selling us the house the only money he's supposed to get or are we supposed to pay him twice?
Since this is so long, I forgot the rest of the questions I wanted to ask. Hopefully when/if I get some replies i'll remember them.
I thank anyone who reads this and comments on our troubles.

[Dan F]

If you are approved for a certain amount shop around for the home you want elsewhere, tell other dealers what this guys says he can do for you. Don't be affraid to travel for the right deal I went 380 somthing miles to get the home I wanted. The factory It was coming from was that far anyway. Just because you only have two dealers in your town (for example) doesn't mean you have to settle.

[rmurray]

Geez...cannot get a contractor license but wants you to pay him a contactors fee....
Never heard of a contactors fee involved in the deal...

Something is very wrong here...The delays I can see because of your deed problem...But this other BS makes no sense....

Check with your mortgage folks...rates should be lower now..allowing you to go to a higher balance...Also the other post here mentions shopping around...Obviously your home is not ordered yet...Would only take you a few phone calls to find out what you are doing...

Be scared of this "dealer"...Most states require a dealers license as well..