Info

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.
RSS Feed
Build Your House Yourself University
2023
January


2022
December
November
October
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: March, 2017
Mar 29, 2017

Lots of people like the idea of building green, or a least a greener.  But, although the term green building is often used, many of us are not quite sure exactly what green building is, or where to go to get easy to understand information about green building options. 



This week we have an interview that will help explain what green building is and why it’s important.  We’ll hear from Sheridan Foster, founder of Elemental Green, a great online educational resource for green and sustainable building products and techniques.

 

Shownotes at BYHYU.com

www.Elemental.Green

Mar 22, 2017

Have you ever gotten out of the shower, dried off and just had to get out of the bathroom for a few minutes because it was so hot, humid and uncomfortable?   I mean, you can’t get dressed when you’re hot like that.

You know what could help minimize that problem?   A powerful, bathroom exhaust fan.  Powerful, but quiet, because if the fan is annoyingly loud, you won’t use it regularly. 

Choosing the right fan for your bathroom is more important than you might think.  Without an appropriately sized exhaust fan, not only can your bathroom be uncomfortably hot and humid, not to mention smelly, but over time, you risk causing moisture damage to your bathroom drywall and cabinetry.  Plus you increase your chances of developing mold and mildew on your shower walls, drywall, and even on the wood framing beneath the drywall. Not good!

Show notes at BYHYU.com

Mar 15, 2017

One of my least favorite household chores is cleaning grout. But I recently learned about a type of grout that stays beautiful and virtually stain free for years.  You heard me right… years.

Take a listen to this quick tip that will help save you time, energy and effort in cleaning your bathrooms and floors.

Show notes at BYHYU.com

Mar 8, 2017

This week we’ll talk about the second half of our list of things you can include to increase your home’s curb appeal.  Last week we talked about the first part of the list.  It included:

1. Combining contrasting, but coordinating colors

2. Adding Dimension

3. Making a Statement with Your Front Door

4. Selecting Unique Address Numbers

5. Adding Lighting

Take a listen to episode 59 to hear more detail about that list. 

This week we’ll briefly discuss:

6. Great Garage Doors

7. Softscape Elements

8. Hardscape Elements

9. Driveways

Before moving on to the mini lesson, let’s go over this week’s pro terms

Pro Terms:  Landscape, Softscape elements, and Hardscape elements

Show notes at BYHYU.com

Mar 1, 2017

Last week, we talked about creating wow factor on the inside of your home.  This week we’ll delve into what we can do to our home’s exterior to add curb appeal. Now remember, you shouldn’t include features in, on or around your home to just impress others. Instead, design a home that inspires you and your family and build one that you’re proud of. And just By doing that, you’ll often increase your home’s value.  We’ll go over the first part of our list this week and finish the list next week.  Before we go any further we need to define this week’s pro terms.

Pro Terms: Portico and Porte Cochere

Show notes at BYHYU.com

1