Manufactured stairs can be a high quality alternative for the stair design in your new home projects. So what is a manufactured stair? A manufactured stair is put together in a controlled environment typically with automated machinery to high quality standards. This is in contrast to the typical carpenter built stairs made on the job […]

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We are currently in the process of planning a complete bathroom remodel.  One of the issues we are dealing with is the existing cast iron tub.  The tub has stains from the water in the porcelain.  Do we spend $600-$800 to replace the tub or do we try and restore the finish and save a […]

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How are you going to save energy in your home?  We don’t usually think of ways to save money on our heating costs until we start receiving the bills.  Well, it’s that time of year again.  Now is a great time to check for those leaky areas around your home.  Here a builder shares his […]

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So you’re buying land for a house.  As with any home you might buy, you want to make sure there are no surprises that could cost you extra money.  One item you will want to investigate prior to purchase is the subsurface soil conditions.  If there is rock hidden under the ground, your construction costs […]

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    You’ve decided to build your own home or new addition so you are looking for additional ways to save money on the project.  A typical 2400 square foot two story home has approximately $15,000 worth of lumber in it.  With numbers like these, you need to make sure you’re getting the absolute best […]

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In order to build a typical 1700 square foot wood framed home in the U.S., an equivalent of one acre of land needs to be clear cut to provide enough lumber.  Alternatives to using old growth lumber for building materials are gaining ground every year.   Not only are these alternatives good for the environment, […]

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Most local building departments require you to have a set of architectural home plans for your building project on your construction site at all times.  This allows them to look up items they may question during a building inspection.  Another reason to keep a set of home plans on site is for your subcontractors.  Rather than give […]

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Americans have a love-hate relationship with their homes.  We love our homes and property.  We hate the maintenance and repairs.  The best way to avoid problems with your home is to go through our annual checklist to make sure everything is working properly.  Is it fun?  No.  Will it keep you from being surprised by […]

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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 […]

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In discussions about taking advantage of today’s real estate market, a common concern is the difficulty in selling our existing home.  The thought is, How can I take advantage of the market if I can’t sell my home? We will discuss several ways to deal with this issue below. Make Your Home The Best:  Don’t […]

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