Building a home from the ground up takes an enormous amount of labor hours.  From the initial planning to the final paint touch ups, the process can take up to a year or more on a custom build.  Luckily, there are some newer building technologies that are helping to expedite the new home schedule.  Manufactured […]

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One of the top items requested in new homes are whirlpool tubs.  There’s nothing like the massaging jets to soothe your sore muscles or aching back after a long, hard workout.  So if you are thinking of installing a whirlpool tub in your home, there are some important planning items to consider.  Let’s take a […]

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If you’ve spent any time at ArmchairBuilder.com, you know that we are constantly adding resources to help you build your own home.  We regularly add new videos, articles and digital resources to level the playing field for those that want to take on the general contractor role.  And if you’re new to our site, you […]

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I stumbled across an older article from Smart Money recently that I thought would be good to share with you.  It’s called, Ten Things Your General Contractor Won’t Tell You.  The article may be a little over the top, but it makes some very good points that most consumers may not have heard.  Just because […]

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If you’ve spent any time here at ArmchairBuilder.com you know that it’s totally possible to general contract your own home.  There is plenty of support here and elsewhere on the internet to help you make it happen.  But it does take a serious commitment in both time and effort to create a successful project.  So […]

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One of the huge benefits of building a new home is that you can incorporate all of the latest technologies to improve energy efficiency.  Your new house will conform to the latest building and energy codes to save you money on utilities and improve your family’s comfort.  But can’t you just make changes to your […]

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Ask most general contractors if it’s possible to build your own home and you’ll hear a bunch of reasons why you shouldn’t.  I guess they figure the speech is necessary for job security.  After all, if they talk enough people out of general contracting their own home, it should leave plenty of work for them […]

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Updated May 2020 “Exactly how much can I save building my own house?”  As a builder, I get this question a lot…and no, it doesn’t bother me.  I’ve never been a fan of keeping people in the dark.  If you’re trying to decide whether you want to build your own home or have someone else […]

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There are so many things to think about when building, from budgets to bids to loans, the process can be overwhelming.  Owner builder insurance is one key item that should not be forgotten when building or renovating a home.  A successful project requires you to anticipate potential problems before they happen.  Whether you are building […]

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One of the big motivations people have for becoming owner builders is the potential savings achieved by eliminating the general contractor fee.  This is the fee the contractor or builder charges you to oversee the construction of your new home.  Whether the home is custom home built from scratch or a production home from one […]

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