For anyone familiar with my writings, you know I’m a big supporter of the owner builder process. I’m also a huge supporter of getting professional help along the way. One element of home building or remodeling you can’t afford to slight is the design.

Good design precedes a good building process and getting what you want. Throughout my years coaching and advising home owners, I’ve learned that most people are simply not aware of the value that proper home design and blueprints provide. It has proven to be a big hurdle for people who don’t pay attention and gloss over this aspect. There are enough hurdles in the process of home building, don’t exacerbate the problem by starting with poor design.

Sources of House Plans and Home Designs

Quality design can come from various sources. Many people will be satisfied with well-developed and drawn stock house plans from plan books or online resources. For more custom type home designs an architect or residential designer is often preferred. Once you get into the higher end and uniquely customized homes an experienced architect is the choice for most.

Higher end custom home house plans will cost you. It is not unusual for these to cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. However, the majority of home builders and remodelers can find good plans or professional help in the range of several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on their project and the source of the plans.

Typically, you cannot buy stock plans for a remodel. It’s going to take a drafter, designer, contractor/builder, or an architect. The existing design and structure have to be analyzed and the additions have to dovetail nicely with them.

Let’s take a look at three specific benefits of good design.

These are three of the more important advantages of good design. We could come up with many more but these will, I hope, convince you of the need.

Building Materials Specification

The way to ensure that you get the type materials that you want is to get them specified in the design and blueprints. Whether you act as your own builder or hire a General Contractor, the way to convey to the workers what you want is to have your materials choices within the plans. This not only includes the lumber and structure, but continues on to windows, doors, siding, roofing, and finishing materials. Close work with your home designer is the way you get this.

The Feel of the Home

Most homes have a unique feel to them. Good designs create a feel that is very apparent. What you really want is the look and feel that really suits you. This doesn’t happen by accident. You’ll likely have to look at many homes before you know what you want. From the exterior to the interior, from the size of the home to the size of the room, from the location of spaces to the location of various rooms, many factors go into the feel that you get. Its all in the design.

The Ease and Speed of Construction

If your subcontractors are not given the proper instructions they will not know how to bid or build your home. You won’t know what you’re getting and you will endure delays and mistakes. The process could very well bog down in the process. Long, drawn out building projects, especially when remodeling, are the curse of home building.

CONCLUSION

Spend the extra time up front to get good plans. Do whatever homework you need to do to make your decisions about style and materials before you launch into building. Start with great plans if you want a great home. Now, go create the home of your dreams!

You can learn so much more about home building and remodeling online. One great option is to take advantage of a very informative yet simple to follow *free* eCourse that you can find by clicking here http://www.DreamHomeCreation.com You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, videos, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.

Pluck that home building dream from the clouds. Make it real. Is it your time to actually jump in with both feet and build your own home?

Over many years I’ve helped hundreds of people build their own homes by the sweat of their own brows. It isn’t easy, to be sure. Framing a home can be very complicated for the novice. Lot’s of time, effort, and help is required. But, for those who have the time and the sincere desire, there are ways to use your own muscle, and that of your family and friends, and frame your own homes.

Panelized Prefab Homes Make Home Building Doable
One advent in recent years has made the dream possible for people. Prefabricated homes allow people with more marginable skills to actually perform a lot of their own labor during construction. These “kit homes” include panelized wall systems that make the process of framing easier to understand and accomplish. I often recommend them for those who want to do their own framing and a lot of their own building.

While there are advantages, there are some cautions to be aware of. Take a look at these plusses and minuses and judge for yourself if prefab panelized wall systems make sense for you.

PLUS:
The framing is done and delivered to you in sections, often in the panel lengths that you request. You receive a complete schematic that shows you exactly where each section of exterior and interior walls go.

MINUS:
Even though these panels are assembled in dry factory conditions on assembly jigs, they are not always 100% square and level. Laborers at the plants are often unskilled and make mistakes. You need to ask the company about their guarantees.

PLUS:
A lot of decisions are eliminated leaving you more time for other things. Measuring is done, nailing is done, and window and door openings along with headers are in place and completed. These are huge time savers for the home-owner builder.

MINUS:
Sometimes the codes followed by the kit home company differs from the local code requirements you’re dealing with. This can cause confusion and mistakes. You will need to have your building department or engineer review the procedures of your housing company before the panels are made.

PLUS:
Assuming you have found a really good and conscientious kit home company to prefab your framing, you’ll have quality, kiln-dried wood and very exacting measurements. Wall sections will be square and true. This can really speed the construction process.

MINUS:
Any mistake in the foundation … deviating from proper measurements, square and level, can cause significant frustration and time delays. You really must make sure that the foundation is made to the exact measurements of the panelized wall sections and that it is perfectly level.

Prefab Framing or Not, You Need Help

Of course, it goes without saying that framing your home is only one step in the home building process. The foundation must be laid, the electrical, plumbing, interior finishing materials and labor, the roofing, siding, etc. etc. To make sure you can handle all this it’s wise to hire a home-building consultant/coach. That will help you manage the entire process.

So, for the framing job, using pre-panelized walls can be the leg-up you need. Do your homework. Check out the companies that provide kit homes and panelization. Ask to see homes under construction. Get samples of their schematics and talk to references. Maybe you can be a framer after all. Happy framing!

You can learn so much more about home building and remodeling online. One great option is to take advantage of a very informative yet simple to follow *free* e-course that you can find by clicking here http://www.DreamHomeCreation.com You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, videos, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.

One of the most frequent questions I get from my clients centers around quality. As an owner builder building your own home, naturally you want to ensure a quality product. But, how do you do that? Are you alone responsible, and how do you judge it?

You can’t just purchase a packaged or kit home and rely on that! For most, the achievement of the quality you seek will be a direct result of the professionals you surround yourself with. Add to this the use of quality building materials, a properly engineered structure, well-prepared blueprints, and periodic inspections by the building department and you have a winning combination.

START WITH YOUR COACH – KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Believe it or not, when you’re properly prepared with the right people around you, your final product (your home) has a good chance to be of higher quality than many homes built by General Contractors. Better materials, better construction methods, and more personal attention can lift you above the shortcuts and omissions found with many builders who are looking to cut costs at your expense.

You won’t likely be able to achieve this on your own, however. Using a homebuilding coach is critical. We recommend this for everyone taking on their own projects. Your coach will help you prepare well and inspect well. Here’s how:

Good Set of House Plans – the Blueprints

Your project needs to start with a sound house plan. Your blueprints need to be well prepared, easily understood, drawn to codes, and building materials specified clearly.

Building Materials – Use The Highest Quality You Can Afford

I recommend that where you can, you exceed the requirements of the codes. This can give you a sturdier home, a more efficient home, a “greener” home, and a more comfortable home. These building materials choices will be made during the creation of your house plans.

A Good Foundation – Level and Square and on Solid Ground

Quality cement and level and square forms are important. But, you will also need to consider the ground your foundation sits on. Testing the soil is critical to a good foundation, just as a good foundation is critical to a proper house structure. Use a soils engineering firm. Your building department should require this.

The Framing – The quality is Found in the Materials and the Labor

The skeleton holds up the body of your home. Consider SIP (structural insulated panels), ICF (cement and foam block) walls, or Kiln-Dried framing. There are many choices and this is something to discuss with your coach during preparations. A good Kit Home package can help.

Good Labor – The Lowest Bids?

Quality is usually not found in the lowest bid. Always get at least 3 bids for each phase of construction. Always get references for each subcontractor you use. Always check those references before hiring the sub. And use your coach and inspectors to monitor the work.

CONCLUSION

Quality is an all-inclusive discipline. It’s not achieved by demanding one single requirement. It’s not achieved by just purchasing a kit home. Yet, when you put these steps together, with a good system in place to guide you, you’ll be able to achieve the quality you want.

You can be a successful owner builder. It starts with the preparation and setting up the proper structure for your entire project. We heartily recommend a complete management system for the owner builder that includes a homebuilding coach. Do a lot of research and solicit the help of professionals. It’s that important.

You can learn so much more about home building and remodeling online. One great option is to take advantage of a very informative yet simple to follow *free* e-course that you can find by clicking here http://www.DreamHomeCreation.com You will also find other tips and tools, surveys, videos, and additional articles by Mel Inglima.

Just got your contractor’s license? Not ready for those expensive software that help you with the fancy estimate proposals? Well you will need at the very least some sort of checklist. There is a lot of free education and tips online to help you design a good construction estimating checklist. From how to methods to tips, all you have to do is Google it. But here is a basic structure of what your list should consist of:

Assuming you have the name of your company and address already registered, your form should have the following key items on it: Client information: Full name, address, phone numbers both work and at home, email address if any. Projection description: Brief description of project to insure that your estimate includes all the client wants, example would be Kitchen remodel or Bathroom remodel or roof repair, etc. Project ID: as your business grows and you end up deciding on what software will best help you manage your business, you will need each project to have the separate id. As the hope that the client will continue to use you for other projects, each project should have their own identification.

The Estimate: Now break down all the different steps the job will entail with a cost of 10% more that you think you can do the job for. This gives the client some wiggle room to negotiate bringing you back down to where you would have estimated the job to cost but giving the client a feeling of win/win negotiations. Total the cost. But the most important part of this estimate is that it should have an expiration date. You have no control over material cost but know that your supplier revises their cost on a particular day of the week, then your estimate should be in direct correlation to that cost. Your suppliers will give you an estimate of cost in writing guaranteeing the quote till a particular date. Make sure to make note of that date and make sure to include that date in your estimate.

Now make sure to organize your estimate by phases, no more than 3 phases. As you will ask for upfront payment per phase and schedule a walk through through the completion of every phase with the client. Make sure to charge them for walk through inspections as the project may require city inspections in addition to your detail inspection which cost time. But this will also help you control the client wanting to do an unscheduled inspections which would take you away from your work and may be a insurance liability.

This should give you a good idea how to get started making an effective construction estimating checklist.

Most people only think about materials in terms of the cost but that should not be your only consideration. You also need to think about what materials are going to last for a long time and what kind of maintenance each type of material needs.

When you are figuring out your budget for the patio, you must take into account the maintenance costs of each different type of material. You may find that you’re better off choosing a more expensive but durable material up front rather than choosing a cheaper material that has a higher average maintenance cost. Also, make sure that you include into your budget for any additional walkways or paths that need to be built.

When you are choosing the material to use as a foundation for the patio, think about the long-term practicality of the material before you make a final decision.

• Real Stone – It has the most natural outlook but also the most expensive. It is designed to wear well in high-traffic, need little maintenance and could last for decades.
• Stone Veneer – It contains some benefits and advantages of real stone. It is also lighter and less expensive compared to real stone.
• Plain Concrete – Is probably the easiest material in terms of upkeep and maintenance. Plain concrete is the most affordable material available.
• Stamped or Colored Concrete – This material is gaining popularity and very practical. It often can be molded or stamped to look just like bricks or stone.
• Patio Tiles or Brick Paving Stones – This material is very traditional and last a long time. It can have a variety of patterns as well, thus add a lot of personality and individually to your patio.

All these are excellent materials to use for your patio. In addition, you can even use a combination of materials to make your patio comfortable. Also, you have to consider the drainage properties of each material. For instance, individual stones, bricks, or pavers will let water through more than a whole slab of concrete will. In addition, you may also want to choose the material colors that you can match with your favorite patio furniture.

Bear in mind that your patio is an investment so an up-front higher cost can actually be a better expense in the long term. No matter what material you choose, make sure it’s easy to clean and maintain so that it will stand up well to the climate that you live in.

If you’re building a sunroom, more than likely it is going to have a lot of glass in it. In fact, many sunrooms actually are about 75-90% made of glass. Of course all the glass is wonderful for allowing you to enjoy the sun and almost feel that you are outside without all the bugs and nasty weather. However, while these glass sunrooms have many wonderful features, there are many things that you need to consider when you are having one installed. Before you start choosing the glass for your sunroom there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

Consider the Location

First of all the location of your sunroom should be taken into consideration when you are trying to choose the glass. If you are putting a sunroom in a place where you want a great view to the outdoors, then floor to ceiling glass may be something that you want to consider. Also, if you want a great view of the sky, you may even want to be able to consider going with a sunroom that has a glass roof as well, providing you with more sunlight and a great view of the night sky as well.

Use Tempered Glass for Safety

When you are choosing the glass you need for glass sunrooms, it will be important that you go with tempered glass for your safety. You must have tempered glass, since it is much safer and works in the same way the glass in your car does. Going with tempered glass is important for a couple reasons. First of all, it is much stronger so that you avoid having a problem with the glass breaking. Also, tempered glass breaks differently than other glass. It actually crumbles instead of shattering, which means that you are safer if something does happen to break the glass.

Go with Insulated Glass for a 4-Season Sunroom

If you want to have a glass sunroom that you can use all year long, then you’ll want to make sure that you go with insulated glass. You should never choose single pane glass for a sunroom that you want to use all year long. It won’t keep out the heat of the sun or the cold during the winter. Double pane glass is going to be a bit more expensive but it will provide you with the insulation that you will need from your windows.

Look for a Warranty

Last of all, no matter what type of glass you decide to go with when it comes to the glass for your sunroom, you should look carefully for a good warranty. You want to make sure that your glass has a warranty on the seals and on the glass for breakage as well. A warranty can save you if something happens to your glass, so make sure you only go with glass that comes with a good warranty to keep you protected if something should occur.

Whether you are looking for a small building to hold your tools and lawnmower, or something on a grander scale that can accommodate a few cars or rows of sky-high shelving, odds are that you want your new building to be tough and durable. When you consider the money you are paying, why would you want anything less than the best? This is why if you’re choosing a building material, you should consider steel. Pre-fab steel metal buildings are a great choice when you want to build a storage shed or other building that will last the test of time.

You can find a pre-engineered steel metal building in any shape or size you desire, whether you are looking for a standard box-shaped building or something a little more complex. Just don’t ask us to provide3 engineering for a steel building that attaches to an existing structure because our engineer has no idea of the structural integrity of what you’re proposing to attach our steel building to. All Absolute Steel structures are extremely tough and durable.

Garage kits are certainly one of the most popular items available in pre-fabricated steel, mostly because of the fact that the materials are rust resistant and will not be susceptible to fire, rot or insects. Buyers can choose an entire do-it-yourself package that includes all the trim and exterior necessities, or purchase the frame only and add their own finish.

Complete steel building packages include everything you need to get started, including an instructional video to guide you through the process. All the framing, hardware, steel roofing, sidewalls and trim are included with the kit, but the buyer will have to provide a concrete floor, garage and side doors as well as windows.

With a life time warranty on our frame systems and a 20- 50 year warranty on the exterior panels, you won’t have to worry about your steel metal building for a long time. Year after year it will continue looking like the day you completed it, without a trace of fading, cracking or splitting like traditional lumber buildings. Additionally your steel building can take on the look of stones or wood to blend in with the rest of the neighborhood.

If you live in an area that is hot and humid, or periodically has extreme weather such as hurricanes or forest fires then a steel metal building should be your first choice. Not only will your steel frame never be subject to rotting or bugs, it also won’t catch fire and will certainly stand up better in high winds than other types of buildings. Talk to your insurance provider, because it’s likely steel metal buildings costs less to insure as well.

Easy to assemble, tough and durable, there are many reasons why you should consider a an Absolute Steel building for your home, office or warehouse. Save some money with a long-lasting steel building that looks just as nicer than any other steel building. Putting together your steel building is a snapand when you are done you will have a workshop, garage or workspace that will hold up in the worst kind of weather and stay looking great for many years to come.

Introduction to Retaining Walls

First, a retaining wall is a structure that holds back, or “retains,” lateral faces of dirt, water, or other materials. Retaining walls are used to prevent erosion or collapse of higher level ground onto a certain building, structure, or general area. The earth that is retained is often referred to as backfill. The word backfill is also used as a verb to describe placing more dirt behind a retaining wall to make the ground more level.

Retaining walls can be the answer if you are blessed (or cursed) to a contoured lot. They can turn a steep slope into a terraced yard, creating a stair step effect instead of a slope.

Retaining walls can be constructed from many different materials using many different techniques. There are several factors that influence which choice will be the best choice for each situation, including cost, height of the wall, soil characteristics, and ground water conditions.

Generally, most municipalities require that any retaining wall over four feet in height be engineered or approved by a licensed engineer. It is important to check local building codes before starting any retaining wall projects, even if it is below four feet tall. After all, retaining walls should be structurally sound before there is any thought of aesthetic appeal. The retaining wall must be able to stand up to the pressure exerted by the backfill, also called lateral earth pressure. This lateral earth pressure is a majority of the force that the retaining wall will need to bear. Lateral earth pressure is determined by studying the weight of the soil unit, slope of the soil, soil type (for plasticity and adhesion purposes with clay soil types), and ground water levels. Engineers do many calculations with these factors to determine what design to implement with the wall. To homeowners and contractors that do not want to go through engineering steps, it is generally a good rule to overdo it. Many structural methods to build retaining walls with withhold earth, at least temporarily, with a height up to four feet, are adequate, which is why most local building codes require engineering if the wall will be over four feet tall.

However, even methods that may seem adequate for retaining earth can fail if they are not built properly. Many times, it is elements below grade that can make (or break) a retaining wall. Problems including bowing, slanting, or cracking are evidence of retaining wall failure because it was not successful in retaining the dirt. Cutting costs with a bad contractor, insufficient materials, or neglecting the below grade elements can turn out to be more expensive over time if replacement or repair is necessary often or if collapse of earth causes damage to nearby structures. For example, erosion can cause foundation issues if dirt erodes from under the foundation. This is just one example how a retaining wall failure can cause expensive problems aside from the cost to repair or replace the retaining wall.

Another aspect that is often neglected or underestimated that can cause failure of a retaining wall is drainage. Inadequate drainage of retaining walls can mean that water is trapped behind the wall, adding to the weight that the wall must hold back. Usually weep holes and/or drainage pipes are used to flush rain water and ground water from behind the wall. It is important that the drainage system, whatever it be, have a filter barrier to keep dirt from clogging the drain or weep hole.

Options for Retaining Wall Materials

· Railroad Crossties – Railroad crossties, also shortened to railroad ties, can be used as a retaining wall material; however, as with most every retaining wall material, it must be installed correctly in order to be a solution. For example, most railroad tie retaining walls will need a substantial footer to tie the crossties to in order to keep the bottom from sliding out. Also, there needs to be perpendicular members placed into the ground behind the wall to keep the wall from overturning. These members, called deadmen, should be at least 1.5 times as long as the wall is high and should be placed at minimum every 6 feet or so. Because railroad ties are wood (even though they are treated most of the time), there is a risk that they may rot over time or be subject to termite infestation, which can lead to a weak wall likely to bulge or break. And, even though there are areas for water to slowly seep though, it is still a good idea to have a filtered drain or weep holes designed into the wall.

· Treated Wood – Treated wood retaining walls offer many of the same risks as retaining walls because over time it is susceptible to rot and termite infestation. It is a labor intensive construction, but it is usually lightweight and decently strong if built correctly. It is recommended to build a concrete footer to attach the wall to in order to keep it from shifting. Construction usually requires a clear area to be backfilled after the wall is built, so it is not always the best material to use if you are replacing an existing retaining wall. This wall still needs weep holes or drains designed into the wall. Standing water behind the wood will only increase risk of rot.

· Concrete – Concrete is a great material to use for retaining walls. Of course, there is a right and a wrong way to build a concrete retaining wall, which makes choosing your contractor a big job. There are many different designs that can lead to a successful concrete retaining wall, but one thing is for sure: there needs to be a footer beneath the wall to ensure success. Concrete is one of the most durable man-made products known to man. Most concrete poured today is engineered to last for over 50 years. Plus, concrete offers many decorative options as well. Aside from a plain, white concrete retaining wall, you can also pour a colored concrete retaining wall, stain a retaining wall after it has cured, pour into a patterned form, apply a vertical stamp material and pattern after poured, etc. Sealing the concrete wall can lead to an easy-to-maintain surface that rinses free of most dirt and grime.

· Blocks or Paver Stones – Engineered blocks that stack together to make a wall must be as simple as building with Legos, right? Nope. These retaining walls should also have a significant footer in order to support not only the weight of the dirt but also the weight of the wall. These blocks can be a unique look, but it may even be necessary to place a concrete retaining wall behind the blocks if there immense lateral earth pressure. In such a case, the concrete would be the structural element, using the blocks as a visual feature.

· Rock or Brick – One of the favorite looks for a retaining wall is natural stone or brick. These materials usually look more permanent and traditionally classy. However, just as we have seen with the other materials, it is necessary to have a concrete footer below grade to carry the weight and ensure success of the retaining wall. Like architectural blocks or paver systems, it may be necessary to back a masonry retaining wall with a concrete retaining wall for structural support.

A green home minimizes the negative impact on its environment through its home design. Here are a few considerations an architect takes into account when designing a green home:

1. Site: Evaluations and analysis of access, slope, ledge, soil, bodies of water, and vegetation in order to limit the home’s impact on the site environment. This includes the site location (farmland, wetland, protected species habitats) and proximity to public transportation, parks, schools, and stores.

2. Size: A green home is efficiently designed to keep the square footage to a minimum. This reduces the amount of energy to heat and cool the home, lighting, and the quantity of building materials used, and also controls costs and reduces site impact.

3. Solar: Whether or not there is a plan to install a solar energy system to heat the water or produce electricity, there are several other solar considerations in green home design. Designing the home for passive solar makes the most of solar energy by harvesting it into the homes’ natural energy flows. Passive solar systems include day-lighting strategies, heating and cooling control techniques, and natural ventilation. When a whole-building approach is taken, energy savings can be great both in terms of reducing the home’s carbon footprint and the costs associated with heating, cooling, and maintaining the home.

4. Energy: Lighting, heating, and cooling systems are an important consideration in green home design. Renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and geothermal systems use the earth’s natural energy to heat and cool the home, as well as provide electricity to run appliances and technology..

5. Water Conservation: Building a new home presents a unique opportunity to save water. Two money and energy-saving strategies which can be easily incorporated into an energy efficient home design are 1) reducing the overall water using in the home by specifying low-flow water fixtures, low-flush or composting toilets, installing aerators on all taps, and installing low-flow showerhead nozzles; and 2) specifying a plumbing system that reuses grey water (wastewater from domestic usage such as dish washing, laundry and bathing) for flushing toilets, watering lawns, etc. (note: some grey water systems require approval by most local building jurisdictions, your architect will verify this prior to design).

Of course, a new home should use minimal amounts of fossil fuels, last a long time, and cost less money. Many home design strategies don’t cost a dime in materials but can save hundreds of dollars on heating and cooling costs. The result is a beautiful, healthy home – for both the homeowners and the environment.