Building Homes Articles


Headboards on a Budget

bedroom63494840.jpgYour bed is the focal point of your room, but buying a headboard to add to the drama can be out of the budget. A headboard gives your bed the focus it needs to really be the center of the room and you can create your own headboard to make is more budget friendly. Here are some ideas for using what you already have to create a headboard worth sleeping under.

"Headboards on a Budget" »

Fixing your drafty doors

foyer37474791.jpgIf you have drafty doors some things that you can do is apply weather stripping, door shoes, and door sweeps. Door shoes and door sweeps are designed to seal the gap at the bottom of the door, while weather stripping is designed to seal the gaps along the sides and top of the door. Door sweeps are easy to attach because you do not have to remove the door to install them, but door shoes are more effective at sealing the gap because they are designed to work in combination with the threshold.

"Fixing your drafty doors" »

What are the worst renovation mistakes?

firedamage30322080.jpgWhen you are renovating your home you are committing a lot of time and money so it is important that is done right-the first time! Unfortunately there are several common renovating mistakes. Yet by knowing what they are and avoiding them you can save both time and money. Here is what you need to know about what are the worst renovation mistakes-

"What are the worst renovation mistakes?" »

Title: How to best maximize your outdoor space

yellowpencils30339971.jpgWhether large or small your outdoor space can be overwhelming if you are planning to do some landscaping. Too often people in their eagerness to develop what they see as a perfect garden spot fail to clearly and efficiently utilize their outdoor spaces. This can be an expensive mistake in terms of both money and time. Yet by following a few guidelines and making a plan before beginning your landscaping you can better decide how to proceed. If you are planning on doing some landscaping here are some tips for helping you determine how to best maximize your outdoor space-

"Title: How to best maximize your outdoor space" »

Title: Designing an outdoor kitchen

woodstack26498420.jpgThe hottest trend in gardening and home décor is the outdoor kitchen. While the outdoor kitchen was once limited to only warmer climates homeowners across the country are taking the plunge and adding outdoor kitchens that they can use no matter what the weather is. While a seasonal outdoor kitchen requires some more in-depth planning (for heating and weather issues) real estate agents across the country report that buyers are looking for that outdoor entertaining space and having an outdoor kitchen is all the more desirable. So if you are just dreaming of an outdoor kitchen or are in the planning stages here is what you need to consider when designing an outdoor kitchen-

"Title: Designing an outdoor kitchen" »

How to preserve and protect specialty items and materials


We all have something that we consider a specialty item or material. It might be your wedding dress, or something that was passed down to you. It does not matter what material it is, or where it came from, you are going to want to preserve and protect it well.

When you have specialty items and materials in your home, such as hand made quilts, or doilies and other needle work it is important that you learn to preserve and protect them. So, how can you preserve and protect specialty items and materials? Try some of the following:

"How to preserve and protect specialty items and materials" »

Do you need worker's compensation insurance when building, why?

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Many people who build a home will wonder if they need to have worker's compensation insurance or not? The question is a good one, and is something you should consider if you are building. However, in most states, the answer is no.

Worker's compensation is insurance that protects you from being held financially responsible should someone working for you be injured or have an accident while on the job.

"Do you need worker's compensation insurance when building, why?" »

Building your own home, things to watch out for

If your home is where your heart is, then you want to be sure to be careful when building, and watch your home, contractors, subs, etc. carefully. The end result of your home is going to be a big deal, so you want to be sure to know what to watch for, and look out for. Consider the following:

Research your community
You are going to love your home, but you also need to love where it is built. With home building, location is everything. So, watch to make sure you do not get taken advantage of, and that no one convinces you to build somewhere that is not ideal. Make sure that the community you are moving into is one that suits your lifestyle. Check out the neighbors, will you be able to handle living near them for several years? Can you have pets? Does the community have the cultural activities you enjoy? Is it affordable? You may want to live there, but if you can't afford the monthly dues, mortgage, etc. that comes with living in that community, it is best to avoid it.

"Building your own home, things to watch out for" »

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