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Build Your House Yourself University

Wish you knew more about the biggest investment you will most likely ever make? Build Your House Yourself University (byhyu) will teach you to save money and make smart decisions about the construction of the place you and your family will call HOME. We will help you understand residential construction— simplify and demystify the design build process. You’ll come away with successful strategies for building your own house, with or without a general contractor. Become an educated consumer, even if you prefer to buy, rather than build a new house. Complex construction jargon and best practices will be explained in easy to understand terms. It’s not the typical DIY (do it yourself) show. You will learn how to MANAGE the labor, not DO the labor for your new house. Join me, Michelle Nelson, host and fellow informal residential construction student. I’ll share the research I find on home design and building as I prepare to build my home. Together, our community of future home builders, will learn the tips, tricks and trends of experienced contractors and industry experts. I’ll interview owner-builders and construction professionals. During our mini lessons, I’ll inform you about framing, flooring, windows, insulation, kitchen cabinets and countertops…almost anything having to do with new construction homes. You’ll hear about energy efficiency and green building too. There will be product reviews in which you will be introduced to cutting edge, as well as, tried and true products and services. And in keeping with the university theme, episodes will end with short, fun quizzes. If we do our due diligence BEFORE we start construction, we will actually start construction with the most difficult part of the project behind us. Let’s put in the time, effort, preparation and research BEFORE we break ground and building our homes will be much easier and more enjoyable.
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Now displaying: May, 2017
May 31, 2017

This week I have a meeting with a house designer. So in this episode, we’ll talk about what you and I should do to prepare for those initial design meetings.   What documents and information we’ll need for those meetings to be less time consuming and more successful.  Now I’m not going to talk a lot about how to choose a designer or architect.  If you’ve listened to this show for a while, you can probably figure that out.  Ask friends and family and contractors for their recommendations and get several references before settling on a house designer or architect. What we’ll concentrate on today, is what you do after you’ve decided on a specific design professional.

Show notes at BYHYU.com

BYHYU 039--Practical Luxury For Your Master Bath That's Totally Worth the Splurge

BYHYU 052--See What Your House Will Look Like Before You Build It

May 24, 2017

Together we’ll learn the basics of home design and construction and demystify the building process, so we communicate with designers, contractors, and suppliers more effectively and build quality dream homes, with or without a general contractor.

Most people think of their pets as members of the family.  So, it only makes sense to consider them when designing your new home.  This week I have 9 quick tips for designing a pet-friendly home.

Show notes at BYHYU.com

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May 17, 2017

In cold, northern states of the US, most homeowners really don’t have much choice of what type of foundation their house will have.  Most cold climate foundations are basements.  That’s because of the footing, which is the lowest part of the house, right beneath the foundation, has to be placed below the frost line.

If you live in a moderate or warm climate, you’ll have a choice to make.  Today’s mini lesson will cover the pros and cons of the different types of foundations.  It will help you decide whether a basement, crawl space or slab foundation is the best choice for your house.

Show notes at www.BYHYU.com

May 10, 2017

The house that my husband are planning to build will be our forever home— the first and last house that we’ll ever build.  At least that’s the plan. Eventually, everyone of us will either rent, buy or build our last home- the one that we’ll will grow older in. The one where our adult children and grandchildren will spend holidays.

 

This week’s quick tips will give you some ideas about how to design a forever house.  The list includes universal design elements, meaning features that will allow anyone of any age or anyone with any level of mobility to enjoy and live in the house.

 

But a forever house shouldn’t just be physically accessible to us as we age, it should also accommodate changes in lifestyle, habits and traditions as we progress from busy, working people to retirees.

 

Show notes at www.BYHYU.com

May 3, 2017

This morning, when I was on my knees scrubbing my small, framed, fiberglass shower stall, I thought to myself, “What would I do to make this shower better?  How would I design the perfect shower?”  One that would be a pleasure to use everyday and one that would be easy to clean and maintain.  In  this week’s episode, I’ll share with you some of the things I came up with.  We’ll go over some quick tips for designing the perfect shower. 

 

Now, obviously, what a perfect shower is for me, might be the perfect shower for you.  But I think you should be able to get several good ideas from this week’s perfect shower quick tips.

 

Show notes at BYHYU.com

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