A high quality, low cost bath remodel can be achieved by using stock items and customizing them to fit your bathroom. You can start with one of the more expensive components of your bath…the vanities. When a vanity cabinet is a stock item it’s typically much more affordable than if you purchase one to be […]
House Foundation Excavation: High Water Table Issues
4 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Build Your Own Home, Owner-Builder, Quality Check
It’s a great time of year to install your new house foundation. Starting construction in the spring allows you to maximize the building season for your schedule and budget. It can however create problems with high water tables. Here we will discuss a few builder tips for dealing with water in your new home excavation. […]
Knowing how to find property lines are can be extremely useful for your building projects. Whether you are building a new home or simply installing a new landscape bed, knowing the exact location of your property corners is a must to prevent issues with neighbors. So, how can you find them without going to the […]
Housing Affordability at All-Time High
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Bath Remodel, Build Your Own Home, Home Addition, Kitchen Remodel, Owner-Builder, Save Money
Housing affordability has reached a new all-time high for the first quarter of this year. Along with this, mortgage rates are now at an all-time low (3.75 for 30 year fixed). But what does that really mean? For anyone who doesn’t yet own, now is a great time to buy a home and make it […]
Melting Siding from Window Reflections…Fact or Fiction?
2 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
If you had told me five years ago that windows are the cause of melting siding, I would have chuckled. I’ve built, remodeled and repaired several thousand homes and I had never heard of melting siding until the last couple years. But believe it or not, some of the new energy efficient windows are creating […]
Deck Builders: Hiring for Your New Project
3 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Owner-Builder, Save Money
Hiring deck builders for your project can be complicated if you don’t have the right tools. Many of the companies out there will give you a single dollar amount in their bid that includes everything. The problem with this all inclusive price is that it doesn’t allow you to review and compare bids between contractors. […]
How Can You Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From a Range Hood?
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
How can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a range hood?, Guest Post by James Toon. So, how can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from something as simple as a range hood? Large, stainless steel range hoods are the centerpiece of many modern kitchens. Gone are the days of small, under-cabinet hoods. Everyone wants a […]
A Home Security System For Your Building Project
0 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Great Products
The price of a home security system has dropped over the years. Due to recent technological improvements, you can now get a complete system for hundreds of dollars that used to cost thousands. And if you wish to have your home monitored from a remote location, that can be done for as little as $10 […]
How Much Insulation Do I Need in My Attic?
6 Comments | Posted by armchairbuilder in Fix it!, Quality Check
How much insulation do I really need in my attic? One of our readers recently asked this question for his cellulose attic insulation along with…If I need to add insulation to my attic, what is the least expensive material and method for installing? In this article we review attic insulation requirements and discuss cellulose insulation […]
Do you need to Restore a Deck? Does your wood deck look like the photo above? Exterior wood takes a beating from the sun and weather so it takes proper maintenance to keep it looking good. Here we will share with you how to restore a deck from the ugly, weathered look above to the […]
