CAT | Build Your Own Home
Best Practices: Foundation
2 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Quality Check
The foundation for your new home or addition is a huge component of your new owner-built project. If you get it right, the rest of the project will go so much more smoothly. Here we will describe best practices as it relates to poured concrete foundation walls (basement condition). Proper Cure: Three words. Don’t rush […]
Home Plans: Your Options as an Owner-Builder
3 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
I’m always amazed at how many people don’t think home plans are a big deal. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at the local building department and someone comes in with a piece of paper with a sketch on it showing the details (or lack there of) for their project. Creating your […]
Home Plans: What You Need as an Owner-Builder
3 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
How often do you hear…It all starts with the foundation? Actually, it all really begins with the home plans. A good, complete set of home plans can save you a boat load of headaches on your project. As an owner-builder, you have many options when it comes to home plans. From predesigned stock plans […]
Build My New Home in 90 Days?
3 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
One of the most common questions I get as a builder is…when can I move in? Can you build my new home in 90 days? The truth is that it really depends on you and mother nature. I recently finished a 4500 square foot custom home in three months. Of course I stopped by the project […]
Add Space to Your New Home: 50% Off
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Save Money
Because you’ve decided to build your own home, you get to choose exactly what your plan looks like. And if you choose to add a few feet here or there, you will get a great deal on the additional square footage. As an owner-builder, you will save the typical markup from the general contractor…but the […]
Hire Trades with Proper Experience to Work on Your Home
1 Comment | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
If you want to save yourself some headaches, make sure you only use trades that regularly do what you are hiring them to do. As you all know, I regularly write about things that happen on my projects. Well, today I excavated for a new home start. The company that I use to dig for […]
Successful Owner-Builder Story
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
I saw this owner-builder story, How I Built My Own House – Without a Mortgage, and couldn’t help but share it with you. Ian’s example of an owner taking charge and building his own home is somewhat extreme but successful nonetheless. He actually completed a good portion of the work himself which compounded his savings. Ian […]
Owner-Builders Around the World
1 Comment | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
Believe it or not, 80% of the homes built in Austria are built by owner-builders. Ireland is at the 50% mark. In fact, most of Europe is at or above 50%. So where does the U.S. stand? Approximately 30% of the homes built here are by owner-builders. So why is there such a big difference […]
What is it with all the Home Building terms?
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
When I started building homes sixteen years ago, I was amazed at all the crazy lingo. From fascias to base plates to frieze boards, it seemed the terms were endless. I think the most difficult thing about learning the building business, or any new topic for that matter, is the long list of terms and […]
Save Money and Get What You Want, Become an Owner-Builder
2 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
Build a New Home So, you have a particular new home project in mind but you’re not sure how to get it done. You can hire a general contractor or home builder to handle all the details but you have received several bids and don’t like the prices. You have visited the local home builders […]
