Construction Basics

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dome house with shingles and windows
Dome Homes

This cozy style is making a comeback.

well designed dining area in clean home
Building a Rental House

What features make an income property valuable?

tiny home in beautiful landscape
The Cheapest Houses You Can Build

How much space do you really need?

man building house roof frames
The 9 Hardest Parts of Building a House

Get the home of your dreams without losing your mind.

Stairs with a landing.
Plan and Build Stairs With Landings

Follow these seven steps, and build your own stairs with landings!

Building plans on paper with a wood stamp.
How to Get a Building Permit Post-Construction

Here's how to get yourself out of the sticky situation of not having permits for your home construction.

How to Apply for a Building Permit

This is often the most important step homeowners ignore when doing renovations.

A building inspector in an unfinished attic.
The Difference Between Home Inspectors and Building Inspectors

Building and home inspectors each have a different focus.

A clock with hand tools around it.
5 Time-Sucking DIY Mistakes

It’s no secret that some projects take longer than others.

A measuring tape on a plank of wood
DIY Geometry for Beginners

Depending on your project, it is almost certain some level of measuring and math will be involved.

A man wearing gloves and a dust mask working with insulation in an attic.
5 DIY Laws You're Breaking

Innocent DIY projects may be causing you to (unknowingly) break a few laws.

A measuring tape and small house on top of a building permit.
7 DIY Projects That Actually Need Permits

You might be surprised that these seemingly simple DIY projects actually need permits to be legal.

Sheet metal.
How to Fasten Sheet Metal to Wood

Fastening sheet metal to wood is required in some construction projects.

framed house under construction
About House Framing

Think of framing as the skeleton of your home.

Lower level of home framed in
Load-Bearing Wall Supports

Load-bearing walls support the structure.

A couple preparing for a home renovation.
7 Things to Expect when Living Through a Home Remodel

Soften the blow by knowing what's coming.

A small wooden house on a blueprint.
Is Your Home Up to Code?

Looking into your home's safety before something goes wrong.

well designed residential shed with lights
Four Things to Know Before Starting Your Shedquarters Project

Set up for success in a cozy outbuilding office.

man working on computer in mobile home in a snowy forest
11 Tiny Homes Under $50K You Can Buy Right Now

These entry models give the small world big appeal.

A white, interior door set into a yellow wall.
How to Insert a Door or Window in a Load-bearing Wall

You can't afford to mess up adding a window or door to a load-bearing wall, so get the proper steps and advice first.

Four rolled blueprints against a flat blueprint.
How to Read Blue Prints

Here's how to decipher those confusing blueprints!

three different tiny homes under construction
8 Things Nobody Tells You About Tiny Houses

They're great, but they come with special risks.

sleek, modern concrete house with sunny patio
Can You DIY a Concrete House?

Pour yourself a new house (and a drink to celebrate).

IKEA tiny house on a trailer
IKEA Made a Tiny House!

It's practical, cost-effective, and transportable.

woman with drill and hammer working on table and looking confused
6 DIY Questions You Were Too Embarrassed to Ask

Identifying what we don't know is a key element of learning.

outlets on a kitchen wall near a sink
Small Building Mistakes That Can Cause Big Problems

When you're building a home, minor errors can be costly.

hands using hammer and chisel to break down wood pallet
6 Projects to Brush Up on Basic DIY Skills

Brush up your abilities by creating something useful.

hands laying large bricks with mortar and trowel
How to Get Certified as a Brick Mason

Build your career one stone at a time.

freestanding garage with peak roof and white door
Is It Cheaper to Build or Buy a Garage?

Calculate the cost to decide.

food in open jars for preserving
10 DIY Skills You Can Pick up in a Weekend

Fast to learn, useful for the rest of your life.

person installing wall mount for shelf
Basic DIY Skills Anyone Can Learn

Even if you're not very handy, these are within your reach.

beautiful tiny home
ADUs vs Tiny Homes vs Homes

Which one will make your life easier?

organized workshop with tools hanging on wall
Organizing Tools That Help You Finish Your DIY Projects

Good storage will help you see your plans through.

man building wood chair
What New Skill Should I Learn?

Let us help choose your next hobby.

man and woman measuring and painting small table
How Do I Become a DIY Person?

If you already are one, take your skills to the next level.

smiling couple planning a home project
What Are the Steps of Project Planning?

Build it on paper before digging out the tools.

woman with glasses and overall woodworking on a table
Skills to Master in the New Year

It's time to pick up a new skill or hobby.

white kitchen with wood and stone accents
21 Things to Have in ADUs

Make it legal, comfortable, and truly inhabitable.

woman walking into wood cottage
Different Types of ADU Builds

Dream big with these small living spaces.

eco friendly natural ADU design with wood siding near tree
Are Eco-Friendly ADUs a Game Changer?

Earn passive income and support the environment.

tiny home rental unit with string lights
Budgeting for an ADU

To build or not to build, that is the question.

luxury living room with large TV
9 Expensive Upgrades You Might Regret

What seems like a great plan now might kick you later.