Most people think building their own home involves vast knowledge of all aspects of the home building process. The impression of most people is they don’t really know enough to build their own home. Let’s face it, most of us know a little about the process. Some of us may know a lot about one aspect or the other involved in building a home. You may know how to paint or do carpentry work or lay tile, but you probably don’t know everything about home building.
What is so different about building a home than the rest of major tasks that we take on in our everyday lives? Right now I am typing on my laptop over a wireless connection that is networked to the Internet. Do I know how all this works? Nope, I just knew how to put it all together and eureka, I can do it! Well we all know it is not that simple sometimes with computers, but my point is you don’t need to know everything about something to do it.
In this age of the Internet with it’s endless sources of information and connection to other people that have the knowledge you need, almost anything is possible. So why is building your own home any different? It isn’t really, let me tell you why. First a little background about the building process.
Most of us buy a home that is built by a builder, or general contractor. The General Contractors hire Sub-Contractors to do the work, or essentially build the homes. The Subs put up the framing, roofing, siding, flooring etc… Normally the General contractors employ building supervisors to watch over the building process. They are the managers that have day-to-day contact with the subs. This process is not really complicated.
So what is so mysterious about building your own home? What do the builders have access to that you don’t? Nothing, this is the fact that not to many people know. I built my own home. Am I some kind of rocket scientist, not hardly? The fact is you can save thousands of dollars and have the home of your dreams. We saved 40% and have a beautiful home that is exactly what we wanted.
You have access to the Building Contractors, House Plans, land, materials and financing. You just don’t know it! You see the General Contractors just put it all together and present it to the masses, at a hefty markup of course!
Building your own home is very similar to all the other important tasks that you have mastered in your life. You study the information follow a process and commit to the task. Is it easy no, is it worth it, yes.
For more information about Building Your Own Home visit http://www.build-yourown-home.com/
By: George Stevens
Archive for January, 2010
Building Your Own Home
January 28th, 2010Building Your Own Home Sauna
January 27th, 2010
If you would enjoy owning your own home sauna but find the cost prohibitive, you may want to consider actually building your own sauna. If you are a decent handyman and can follow directions it will probably be pretty easy for you to get your own sauna built in no time. Before you start building you should consider any special needs for your sauna, whether you want a modular sauna or a pre-cut kit, and also be aware of any special warnings or precautions you need to be aware of.
Special Needs
Before you get started on your home sauna there are a few special needs that you need to be aware of. First of all, you will need to know what size you want your sauna and if you want to have it inside or outside of your home. If you only want a small sauna for two people, then you will only need to build it large enough to allow 2-3 feet of space on the bench for each person. You should also know, that while you will not need a water hookup for the home sauna, you will need to be sure that there is an available electrical circuit, which will be needed to operate the heater for your home sauna.
Constructing a Modular Sauna
One option that you will have for building your own home sauna is a modular sauna. This is a great choice for people who do not want to do as much work or who are not qualified enough to use a pre-cut kit. A modular sauna comes with most of the work already completed and your only job is to put it together. This is also a great choice for those who relocate often, since you are able to easily disassemble this type of a sauna so it can move with you. Usually everything you need for your sauna, including the heater, will come with your modular sauna kit.
Using a Pre-Cut Kit for Your Sauna
Those who have a bit more experience with building may want to choose a pre-cut kit for building their home sauna. While this will take a bit more time for you to construct, it will also save you a great deal of money as well. The great part about using a kit is that all the boards and necessary trimmings come with the kit, so you do not have to worry about going out and buying the right amount of materials. You will only want to use this type of a kit if you are proficient at building, or you may mess up on the project and it may be difficult to replace the materials.
Warnings
There are a few precautions and warnings that you should keep in mind when you are building your own home sauna. First of all, all the electrical components you use should be UL rated for your safety, and unless you are an electrician, you should leave the wiring to someone else who is an electrician. Also make sure that the door is easy to open and that no locks are used on this door to prevent someone from accidentally being locked in. It is also highly important that no paint or stain is used on the inside of the sauna or the steam may cause there to be very harmful fumes. Keep these warnings in mind as you build and you will be able to construct a great Finnish sauna for your relaxation and enjoyment.
By: Thomas Oak
Going ‘Green’ with Environmentally-Friendly Home Improvement Products
January 27th, 2010
Over the last few years, buying environment friendly products for the home has become an increasingly important consideration for homeowners looking to make “green” improvements to their living space. To address this growing need, products such as flooring, lighting and paneling, as well as materials like paint and varnish are now readily available for virtually every remodeling project and every room in the house.
Numerous States have now also adopted legislation that limits the use of products that contain harmful fumes or chemicals. The good thing about this is, other than the obvious Green benefits, that many of the products that adhere to the new legislation are also becoming more affordable and are therefore more likely to be found on the shelves in our local hardware and home improvement stores.
See The Light! And Still Save on Energy Bills
It’s no secret that energy prices have soared and if you are planning a home improvement project, one of the simplest ways you can protect the environment – as well as save money – is to use less electricity.
Lighting and major appliances consume the most electricity; simply by switching to fluorescent bulbs, you can save up to 30% a year on your electricity bills. You can save a noticeable amount of money on your lighting costs by painting walls a lighter color, thus distributing light more effortlessly as well as making rooms appear brighter.
Leaking ducts can account for a surprising amount of wasted energy – up to 30%. If you are planning to caulk around ducts, vents and windows be sure to use a product that complies with recent regulations concerning the use of less VOCs in its manufacture. These are volatile organic compounds which contain pollutants that damage the ozone layer, and also contribute to producing smog.
Paint may be your biggest cause of concern if you are planning a home improvement project. Read the small print on the tin to make sure it complies with VOC standards – almost 30 brands are now readily available. Typically, lighter colors of paint tend to contain fewer VOCs.
Tip-Top Countertops
Kitchen countertops are an area where it is possible to help the environment. A recent innovation is a countertop made entirely of recycled paper and water-based resin. You can also install countertops made of paper and cement so that the production involves no quarrying that damages the land.
The bathroom is one of the most important areas where you can help protect the environment. Around 75% of all water used in the home is used by the bathroom shower, toilet and sink combined. Low flow or adjustable showerheads are easy to install and a dual flush toilet – offering a full or half-flush – can potentially lower a typical water bill by up to $75 a year. An estimated 4 trillion gallons of water would be saved every year in the United States if every household installed a dual flush toilet.
The Japanese are well known for their inventive labor-saving and technologically advanced devices. One of their latest innovations may soon be commonplace in the United States – an ingenious combination toilet/bathroom sink – you wash your hands in water that is then used to flush the toilet.
Get Floored! In The Utmost Style of Course
And one of the biggest trends in home improvement? Many people, especially those moving into a new home, consider installing a new floor covering as one of their most important projects. Cork, bamboo and reclaimed wood flooring all have a strong visual appeal as well as helping the environment, and in recent years, these alternative materials for flooring have become popular.
Cork flooring has excellent insulating qualities and can save on energy costs; it also reduces noise and can help keep a home free from allergens. What’s more, it is surprisingly tough as well as being water resistant.
And one other thing to keep in mind if you are “going green” when remodeling or improving your home. Always dispose of old or unwanted materials safely – many materials can be donated for people to reuse, or otherwise recycled. If in doubt, check with your county recycling program.
The next time you are making improvements to your living space be sure to do your bit to protect our precious planet… Go Green!
By: Tom Willmar