Owner Builder Insurance
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
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 […]
Icicles on Gutters Can Signal a Problem
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
We recently had a reader contact Armchair Builder with a question about icicles on gutters. Yogi S. from New Jersey wants to know if he should be concerned about the icicles hanging from his home. Snow has accumulated to about 10 inches on his roof while temperatures have remained below freezing. Yogi asks, “Are icicles […]
A fireplace is great for comfort on cold winter nights. In addition to heating up a room, the design of the surround can create a really nice focal point in any room. But if you’re not careful, the fire can spread out to the living area of the room. For this reason, it’s important to […]
General Contractor Fee for Your New Home
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Save Money
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 […]
Avoiding Kitchen Planning Mistakes
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Cool Design, Kitchen Remodel
Our home kitchens have become such a big part of our lives. Not only do we cook in them but we also work, socialize and communicate in them. So it’s really important to take the time to think through how the new space will come together. Here are some builder tips to avoid the typical […]
Garage Floor Epoxy: Builder Tips for Quality Installation
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
Are you thinking of applying a garage floor epoxy, stain or paint? A new covering for your garage concrete will not only make it look better, but it can also protect the surface from harsh chemicals. But before you dive into your project, there are some pitfalls you should be aware of to prevent problems. […]
January 16th, 2014 Have you been wondering when the term “connected” would actually do something useful for your home? As a home builder, I can honestly say I have been very skeptical of all the “smart home” talk up to now. In my humble opinion, it’s mostly just hype that makes good conversation at the […]
Home Prices Peak, Motivating Owner Builders
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder
Seven years after the real estate bust, housing prices are racing back toward previous levels. In fact, several metro areas have actually surpassed the pricing peaks reached during the housing bubble. This situation should provide motivation for those owner builders wanting to build their dream home and get exactly what they want at a fair […]
January 7th, 2014 It’s extremely cold today throughout much of the country which can lead to frozen pipes. The best case scenario with frozen pipes is a trickle of water coming out of your faucets…and the worst case is flooding in your home due to a burst pipe. Since some of you don’t see really […]
Sewer Cleanout Locations
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Owner-Builder, Quality Check, Save Money
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 […]
