Garage Inspection for Fire Prevention
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Quality Check
When building a new home, it’s important to perform a thorough garage inspection both during construction and before closing to help prevent the spread of fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there were 6,600 garage fires in residential buildings from 2009 to 2011. As a result of these fires, there were thirty deaths, 400 […]
Buy Distressed or Owner Build New?
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Save Money
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 […]
Crown Molding Detail: A Low Cost Alternative
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Cool Design, Save Money
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 […]
Quality in New Homes: What is Acceptable?
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Quality Check
Defining quality in new homes can be difficult. What may seem like a good practice by some, may be shoddy workmanship to the next person. But the truth is, there is a minimum standard that should be met by contractors that goes beyond the building code. Unfortunately, many people choose contractors without really asking what […]
The storms moving across the U.S. this week are bringing massive amounts of ice to many homeowners. This brings us to the question…What are the best methods for ice removal around the home? The goal is to keep your home functioning properly while making sure everyone is safe. But sometimes the process of removing the […]
Prevent Basement Leaks: Tips from a Builder
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Basement Finish, Build Your Own Home, Quality Check
As a builder I’m frequently asked, What is the best way to prevent basement leaks? It’s a great question when you consider the damage, cost, and hassles lower level water intrusion can create. If you’re going to put time, effort and money into finishing our basement, shouldn’t you take all necessary steps to keep the […]
Bidding Out Your Project Correctly for Huge Savings
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Owner-Builder, Save Money
Bidding out your project is like shopping on Black Friday. It’s important to…Know what you want…Never take the first price…Compare apples to apples. That’s it. You’re welcome. But seriously, using good technique when bidding out your home activities to contractors can save you thousands of dollars. Whether you are building a home from the ground […]
Septic System Inspection: What Homeowners Need to Know
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Quality Check
Are you familiar with the important items to review for a septic system inspection? Depending on the location of your new home, you may not have city sewer service. If you have lived with municipal services your whole life, a septic installation can be foreign to you. Most of us have heard the horror stories […]
I wanted to let our friends in Indiana and Illinois know we are thinking of them. The tornadoes that hit the midwest this week are a reminder of just how powerful and unpredictable mother nature can be. The tools meteorologists use to predict severe weather are getting more sophisticated each day. In the case of […]
One of the things that has taken me a while to grasp as a builder is the impact the entry door selection has on a home. When I started out building homes, the front door was a necessary evil. It was viewed as just another component in the house…something to lock to keep intruders out. […]
