Home Construction Blog
My advice, tips, and recommendations for building your own custom home.
April 2019
#19 – Subcontractor Activity
Advice: -Before you make your selections for a specific flooring/tile, you'll need to make a decision on what type of flooring you will be putting in the bathrooms.
#18 – Weatherproof
#“If it is not a mess, it is not progress.” -Robin Sharma Advice: -Make sure your contractor examines all windows and other materials upon delivery. If there are
March 2019
#17 – Vertical Wood
“Progress is what happens when impossibility yields to necessity.” -Arnold H. Glasgow Advice: -If you have time to lend a hand for a couple hours here and there,
February 2019
#16 – Support Walls and Flooring System
“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.” -Hans Selye Advice: -Take your kitchen and bathroom plans to multiple locations to get quotes
January 2019
#15 – Making the Most of Winter Delays
“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” -Jean-Jacques Rousseau Advice: -If you are building during the winter months, factor in an additional 3-4 weeks of construction time
#14 – Basement Floor Pour
“Make measurable progress in reasonable time.” -Jim Rohn Topics of Discussion in this Article: Plumbing Rough-In Water-Proofing Basement Walls Gravel Installation Over Drainage Tile Basement Floor Pour Our
#13 – Exterior Reservoir Tank
“If the plan doesn't work, change the plan but never the goal.” -@gethealthy Advice: -Try to stick to the budget and avoid overages whenever possible; however, spend the
December 2018
#12 – Basement Walls
“A little progress each day adds up to big results.” -Author Unknown Advice: -Make sure your contractor goes over all plans for the basement walls with the concrete
#11 – Footer Time
Footer Time “The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't always have control over your situation. But you have have a choice about how
#10 – Ground Breaking
Ground Breaking Time “Every now and then a man's mind is stretched by a new idea or sensation, and never shrinks back to its former dimensions.” -Oliver Wendell
November 2018
#9 – Printing Plans and Next Steps
Printing Plans and Next Steps “The road to success is always under construction.” -Arnold Palmer Advice: -Even if you aren't planning on finishing your basement when you build,
#8 – Plan Revisions with Cost in Mind
Plan Revisions with Cost in Mind “Coming up with a way to fix mistakes challenges your critical thinking skills. Often you end up with something better than what
#7 – Do Your Homework Early
Do Your Homework Early “Be more ambitious. Do your homework. There's no easy way around this.” -Anthony McCarten Advice: -Visit as many model homes by custom builders in
#6 – Architect vs. Drafter
Architecture Firm or Drafting Services? “Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than you have in your mind.” -David G. Allen Advice:
#5 – Contractor Selection
Contractor Selection is Crucial! “Lack of communication can ruin a lot of good shit.” -Author Unknown Advice: -Talk to anyone you know who has built a custom home.
October 2018
#4 – The Soil Investigation
How's My Dirt? “Everyone you meet knows something that you don't.” -Bill Nye Advice: -When a soil investigation is needed regarding the installation of a septic system, always
#3 – The Lot Offer/Purchase
The Lot Offer and Negotiations “The better you are at communicating, negotiating, and handling your fear of rejection, the easier life is.” -Robert Kiyosaki Advice: -If a septic system
#2 – The Property Search
The Property Search “Be happy with what you have while working for what you want” -Helen Keller Advice -If you are considering building a home
#1 – The Process Begins…
The Process Begins “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Our
“Nathan Baurley…What a great guy to work with! I would recommend him to anyone I know that’s thinking of selling or buying a home! I have used several different agents in the past from many other companies to buy and sell homes and I can tell you he will go above and beyond what other agents in the area are willing to do for you to get your home sold. I would not consider using any other agent in town at this point if I ever decide to buy or sell again. It’s that simple!”
“Nathan Baurley is very professional yet easy to talk about our wishes and concerns about the property. He made suggestions about upgrades to the house that were reasonable but made a big impact. We appreciate all he did for the open houses and his time. We would use Nathan again in the future and recommend him to friends and family. “