National Association of Home Builders’s consumer study, “What Do New Home Buyers Want,” takes a comprehensive look at what’s hot and what’s not among prospective home buyers. The 2013 survey was conducted at the tail end of a protracted housing…
How to get home construction loans to build your custom home: A down payment of at least 5-10% of the total value of your building project will be required. If your building project (land and house) is projected to…
Smartest Dog A structural engineer, an architect and a builder are all standing around arguing who has the smartest dog. The architect says “Watch this. CAD, come here!” And his dog takes a pile of dog bones and makes them…
A new report from the National Association of Home Builders shows the costs of constructing a single-family home were much higher when compared to 2011, reaching $246,553 last year compared with just $184,125 in 2011. Much of this cost was…
The Home of Tomorrow — complete with helper bots and automated appliances — has long been the stuff of science fiction. The tech world is determined to make it a reality. Soon, the vision goes, everything from garden products to bathroom…
Warning! Failure to read a written agreement is not valid defense! A well-drafted construction contract clearly sets out the work to be done, the price to be paid for the work, and the terms and conditions of payment. The contract…
For years, climate contrarians have pointed to snowfall and cold weather to question the scientific reality of human-induced climate change. Such misinformation obscures the work scientists are doing to figure out just how climate change is affecting weather patterns year-round.…
Finding a lot • Ontario reality check 49 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Building Lot in Ontario Buying land feels simple until you discover the “invisible stuff” that controls everything: zoning, setbacks, drainage, septic feasibility, well depth,…
Finding the ideal house plan to meet your lifestyle and needs may seem time-consuming or overwhelming, but knowing what to look for can help lead you to success when building your new home. 19 Things You Must Know When Choosing…
Whether you’re remodeling your home or on the hunt for a new one, the cost of a solar system is on everyone’s radar these days. Installing a solar energy system can give your home that extra edge while saving you…
Construction Lien Act In Ontario – Introduction Those involved in the construction industry are continually faced with financial risks not encountered in other commercial contexts. These financial risks stem from the fact that most construction work is carried out by…
Straw-bale home construction is a building method that uses bales of straw (commonly: wheat, rice, rye, and oats straw) as structural elements, building insulation, or both. The first straw-bale structures we know of were built about a hundred years ago by European settlers in the…
Post and Beam construction is a method of building homes with heavy timbers rather than dimensional lumber Where low energy running costs are matched by precise engineering quality and a new home doesn’t need to come at the expense of…
Everything you need to know to create a warm, comfortable, attractive log home. Over the last 30 years, architects and designers have taken log cabin design to places our founding fathers could scarcely imagine. Yesterday’s one-room cabins have become full-fledged…
Insuring Your Home While Being Built – Construction Insurance Even though insuring a home while it is under construction or being built is not directed by any laws, it is a must, especially if you finance all or a part…
At the beginning, we have to state that only a small percentage of contractors are bad apples. Those who are will cost you large in time and money. Fortunately, scammers and con artists are pretty easy to spot as long…
How much will my dream home cost – What you need to know about a cost of homebuilding: If you are considering having a custom home built, the following information will help you get an idea of the home building…
Ontario • Septic Due Diligence Buyer Guide • Risk + Compliance Last Updated: January 2026 Buying a House With a Septic System in Ontario (2026): Red Flags, Records, and Real Negotiation Power If a home has a septic system, you’re…
By Leigha Dickens When we talk about energy efficient building, everyone wants to know about the R-value. “R-value” (that’s the inverse of the BTUs of heat transferred per hour per across a square foot of surface area per difference in temperature,…
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) represents another choice for builders seeking alternatives for R-30 (or higher) walls for single and multifamily construction. Although a substantially different system than the more typical ICF construction methods, SIPs can achieve equally impressive results cost-effectively…
Title: Energy-Efficient Homes: Your Guide to Saving the Planet (and Your Wallet) Without Living in a Cardboard Box “Design energy efficiency into your home at the start, and the benefits will pay off for years to come.” Ah, the wisdom…
1. How do residential wind turbines work? A wind turbine, which is installed on top of a tall tower, collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home’s electrical system. In a…
1. What can you build with Insulated Concrete Forms? Cast in place concrete walls for bearing and non-bearing walls that have superior insulation built-in. You can use ICFs for foundations, exterior above grade walls, sound walls, residential, commercial, and industrial walls.…
Ontario • 2026 Update CO Alarm Rules Changed Jan 1, 2026 Keyword: wood burning stove Best Wood Burning Stoves in Ontario (2026 Guide): Regulations & Top Brands Wood heat in Ontario has quietly changed lanes. It’s no longer the “backup…
Update your kitchen with kitchen design ideas for everything from kitchen cabinets to kitchen islands. You don’t have to be stuck making meals in a kitchen that’s as dead as a doorknob. With little imagination and some effort, you can…
