DIY Builds
Photo by Dayvison de Oliveira Silva Pexels Logo Photo: Dayvison de Oliveira Silva

What is the cheapest way to build a home?

The cheapest way to build a home is to design a simple box. Sticking to a square or rectangular floor plan makes the building and design simple. Generally speaking, building up is cheaper than building a sprawling one-story home, so you may want to consider planning for a multiple-story home if you need more space.

Is it worth buying a composite door?
Is it worth buying a composite door?

Composite doors are an excellent choice for an energy efficient home as they are excellent at insulating your property against heat loss and...

Read More »
What kind of wood should I use for a shed wall?
What kind of wood should I use for a shed wall?

Any wood that combines beauty with outdoor durability is the ideal choice for exterior timber cladding for sheds, summerhouses and garden rooms....

Read More »
Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Different types of building materials will have different costs. Choosing cost-effective materials can help keep the project affordable. Here are a few to consider.

Reclaimed Materials

While using reclaimed materials like old barn doors or wood in your home build is trendy, there’s a practical reason it’s so popular: it saves money. Look for reclaimed doors, wood floors, windows and decorative items. Not sure where to find reclaimed materials? Check Craigslist, Planet Reuse or a salvage store. You can even find a home that is currently being torn down and see if you can salvage any of its old materials.

Prefab Panels

Prefabricated panels are wall panels that are custom-built inside a factory and shipped to the build site. By having the walls built indoors and shipped to the site ready to install, they can cut down on construction and reduce the time spent on framing and drywalling. This can help you save money because you aren’t paying for the extra labor to build and frame the walls.

Precast Concrete

Just like prefab panels, precast concrete is concrete that’s poured into a reusable mold, cured indoors, then shipped to the build site. On average, precast concrete costs less than on-site pouring because it cuts down on on-site labor and can help prevent delays due to weather.

Shipping Containers

This alternative housing idea uses old shipping containers for the structure of the home. Since the structure is already intact, this type of housing can help you save money on construction costs. Of course, you’ll need to consider the modifications you’ll need to make to the container to turn it into a usable living space, and costs go up if you use more than one container.

Cob

Cob is a mixture of straw, clay and subsoil. This earthen material is so thick that it provides energy-efficient, thermal benefits. And since most of the ingredients for cob can be found on-site for free, you can save a good amount of money on material costs. Cob is also known to last hundreds of years and only requires a new layer when it eventually needs to be fixed, making it a great building material for a cheap house.

How do you make a she room?
How do you make a she room?

6 Ways To Turn Your Bedroom Into A She Shed Fill it with plants and fresh flowers. ... Create a decadent reading nook. ... Add fairy lights. ......

Read More »
Are Barndominiums worth it?
Are Barndominiums worth it?

Along with lower costs, barndominiums provide greater stability and security. Barndominiums are durable structures that may withstand hurricane-...

Read More »
Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Does a metal workshop add value to your home?
Does a metal workshop add value to your home?

Other factors like the age and condition of the property still exist, but the square footage has the highest impact on price. Adding a metal garage...

Read More »
How do I keep my gravel from moving on my driveway?
How do I keep my gravel from moving on my driveway?

Edging to keep the gravel in place Driveway edging is another way of keeping your gravel within the driveway. For this, you will need to put up...

Read More »
These are the Best Shed Plans!
These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »
How deep should shed footings be?
How deep should shed footings be?

Large shed footings should extend 12” below the frost line (meaning a depth of 24”, 36”, 48”, or more depending on the local climate). Dec 17, 2021

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

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

Learn More »
What is a picture made of wood called?
What is a picture made of wood called?

Woodcut is a relief printing technique in printmaking. An artist carves an image into the surface of a block of wood—typically with gouges—leaving...

Read More »