Bidding out your project is like shopping for a new car.  It’s important to, 1) know what you want, 2) never take the first price, 3) compare apples to apples.  That’s it.  You’re welcome.  But seriously, using good technique when bidding out your home building projects and repairs to contractors can save you thousands of […]

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One of the major steps in the planning for building a home is the land selection or building lot purchase.  Whether the home will be built in an existing neighborhood or in a more rural setting, there are some critical items that should be analyzed to ensure an efficient build.  Let’s take a look at […]

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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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I recently had a family member ask me for any insight I might be able to give for an air conditioner replacement for an existing home.  As I was typing up the list of things I would look into as a builder, I realized some of you might be looking for the same information.  So […]

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We’ve been getting some questions about our video called, Tub Shower Faucet Replacement Tip (video is below).  This is a secret that most plumbers and plumbing supply companies don’t want you to know.  If you are looking to update your bath and have a budget to keep, you may want to consider a tub shower […]

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    Those clear glass cabinet doors sounded like such a good idea when you were planning your new dream kitchen.  You had seen them in high-end kitchens in magazines highlighting the home’s classy china or crystal.  But in reality, your kitchen cabinets typically hold everyday items like plastic tumblers from your last vacation to […]

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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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It’s common for new homes that are located in an area with city utilities to have a sewer cleanout in the yard.  This cleanout is a pipe that typically terminates at, or near, the finished grade and is used for access to the home’s sewer service line.  Some common questions regarding the placement, use, and […]

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While the real estate market is on the road to recovery, there is still some weakness out there.  Bank owned homes are getting harder to come by but they are still available in some markets.  One of our readers recently asked…”Does it make sense to take on the responsibility for general contracting your own new home when […]

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Crown molding can really improve the look of any space in your home.  From traditional to contemporary, there are  many different trim profiles and configurations.  But crown molding can get expensive when you add up the cost of materials and labor.  Here I will share with you an alternative trim detail that will keep your […]

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