Photo: Laura James

How can I save money to build a house?

Value Engineering Reducing Square Footage. One way to dramatically reduce costs is to just reduce the square footage of the entire home. ... Choosing a Stock Design. ... Reducing Lineal Feet of Logs. ... Opt for a Simple Roof System. ... Use Drywall on Interior. ... More Modest Kitchen. ... Don't Take a Bath on Your Bath. ... Avoid Change Orders.

nahb.org - 8 Strategies for Reducing Construction Costs - NAHB

How do I start flipping houses with no money?

Here are a few options to help you learn how to flip a house with no money: Private Lenders. Hard Money Lenders. Wholesaling. Partner With House...

Last updated Feb 1, 2018

Is it cheaper to build a shed out of metal or wood?

When it comes to your budget, a metal shed is going to be more affordable than a wooden alternative. There are a couple of reasons for this lower...

Last updated Jun 15, 2019

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In addition to being a motivation for much of what we do, money is energy. It enables us to go places and do things, including taking care of our families or buying and building a new home. Most of us have a finite amount of this energy, mainly through long years of hard work, patient savings and perhaps the sale of a conventional home. Now you’re ready to use all that energy to create your dream home. But is it enough? Where can you conserve? That’s why the Log and Timber Homes Council created this Buyer’s Guide, to help consumers make wise choices on the Perfect Path to Your Dream Home. Begin by sitting down with a lender who specializes in log and timber homes to discuss financing options. By being pre-qualified by your lender, you will how know exactly much energy you have to work with.

How Much Do Professional Builders Spend?

What to the pros typically spend on new home construction? Are there any ballpark figures out there that can help you see if anything is out of line? Indeed there is. The total cost of an average new home in the U.S. breaks down thusly, according to the 2004 Cost of Doing Business Study: The Business of Building, published by BuilderBooks.com, a division of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Finished lot costs 20-25% of the total selling price, with half of that reflecting infrastructure costs, such as utilities and driveway. Building materials, everything from foundation and flooring, to porches and roofs, cost 25-30% of the total.

Onsite labor costs 20-25%.

General overhead is about 6%.

Financing costs are about 2%.

Thinking of being your own general contractor to save money? Small-volume builders (constructing an average 4.9 homes a year) who built exclusively on their clients’ land had average gross profit margin of 18.9% and an average net profit of 4.8%, according to the study. If you decide to build your own home, you won’t earn all of that 4.8%. You will pay far more for labor, since subcontractors will see you as a one-time job and price their services accordingly. You will also pay more for specialty tools needed in log construction. Professional log and timber home builders pro-rate their tools costs over several jobs. You will also pay more for insurance, since insurance companies will see you as a greater risk. It’s also almost guaranteed you will make costly mistakes that pros won’t, which will cost you more in time, materials and labor.

Value Engineering

Want to do more with less? This is called value engineering. Your log and timber home producer and builder have an assortment of cost cutting tricks. Use their expertise. Simply communicate that you need to save money on your budget. They can provide all kinds of helpful advice, including:

What kind of plywood should I use for shed walls?

Exterior-Grade Plywood You'll find one-half in. thick plywood works well for wall and roof sheathing, but use at least five-eighths in. plywood for...

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Can you make a living selling woodworking?

Woodworking is a great hobby for people who are interested in working with their hands and have a passion for creating beautiful pieces of art....

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Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

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Should I put vinyl flooring in my shed?

4. Vinyl Roll Out Shed Flooring: When you need the most durable, waterproof, slip-resistant shed flooring, there is no downside to affordable, comfortable vinyl flooring rolls. Cleans with soap/water; trims to fit. Vinyl withstands extreme temperatures and weather.

gfloor.com - Pros and Cons of 5 Popular Shed Floor Coverings

Whether your shed is used for utility or equipment storage, a work shed or even a She-Shed, your shed flooring should serve its intended use. To determine the best flooring for a shed, let’s look at these top shed floor covering options. 1. Concrete Shed Slab: A sturdy foundation, concrete is cold, hard, unwelcoming and stains easily. You can cover with a costly epoxy sealer or paint which takes time and curing, or loose lay floor covering to hide floor imperfections. 2. Wood Plank Floor: More inviting, without pre-treatment its time is limited. Wood gets slippery when wet, rots and attracts pests. For protection, you’ll want to use a floor covering for wood shed floor which is an extra expense. 3. Old Carpet: Remnants add a plush, comfortable, indoor-like floor for a shed. But… carpet isn’t moisture-proof, is hard to clean and isn’t a good for storing mowers, ATVs, or other machinery that leak oil, gas, corrosives or chemicals. 4. Vinyl Roll Out Shed Flooring: When you need the most durable, waterproof, slip-resistant shed flooring, there is no downside to affordable, comfortable vinyl flooring rolls. Cleans with soap/water; trims to fit. Vinyl withstands extreme temperatures and weather. It resists common chemicals and staining from oil, gas, transmission and brake fluids. Available in a variety of mat sizes, colors and patterns for any use. 5. Vinyl Shed Peel & Stick Tiles: With a little time and creativity, this flooring option is another solid choice that ticks off the same boxes above.