Hydrogen Power

I have a dream.
I have a dream that someday soon Hydrogen will provide all the energy we humans will ever need.
It will be cheap and clean.
Will it happen?

For decades, NASA has relied upon hydrogen gas as rocket fuel to deliver crew and cargo to space.

Many companies are working to develop technologies that can efficiently exploit the potential of hydrogen energy.

In fuel-cell conversion, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce water and electricity, the latter being used to power an electric traction motor…someday your house.

Here’s a video on how a fuel-cell works.

Just click on the drawing.


In hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles, hydrogen is combusted in engines in fundamentally the same method as traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

“Research question: Is hydrogen fuel technology a viable replacement for fossil fuels?
Prediction: We believe that our research and modeling will show that hydrogen fuel is a viable replacement for fossil fuels.” (University of Michigan, 2006)



Although many technical problems exist in bringing hydrogen power to everyone in the world, this pollution free and potentially abundant fuel is a strong contender to be the next generation clean and green fuel.

For me, this has been a dream for decades.
What more could we dream for?
As the year 2011 begins, let’s hope and pray the day is near.

Happy New Year,

Carl

Digging out from the Blizzard of 2010

Blanketing Snow and High Winds were the Highlights of the Last Storm of 2010

By Mark J. Donovan

For many of us on the Northeast coast of the United States we spent the next couple of days after Christmas digging out from a powerful winter blizzard. Though the snowfall was significant it was the wind that was really the story. Wind gusts exceeded hurricane force levels in some northeastern communities and knocked power out all over northern New England towns. Here in New Hampshire gusts regularly reached 40 to 50 MPH.

The snow started falling on December 26, and really got going that night and the next day. I snowblowed the driveway and cleared the roofs, decks and pool during the tail end of the snowing phase of the storm. Due to the high winds and drifting I had to go back out and repeat the process again this morning. The winds had eased a little, but they were still gusting at around 20-25 MPH by my guess.

The walkways that my son and I shoveled the day before were packed with blowing snow. Actually there was more snow in the walkways than there was in the main part of the yard. Clearing the walkways and creating the snow piles adjacent to them from the first dig-out caused the drifting snow to accumulate deeper in the walkways than the surrounding area. In addition, it was packed down and had a 2 inch crust layer on top making it difficult to remove. See the accompany pictures.

7 Reasons Why You Should Update your Pool's Filtration and Cleaning System

 

Thinking about replacing your pool's filtration and cleaning system? If you haven't considered it then it's time to start thinking about just how old your current filter and pump is. Letting this one slide may not be the best idea. Here's a few good reasons to think about replacing your current system:

1. Your pool filter and pool pump work hard to keep your pool shining and fresh almost year-round. Having something running for that long over such a large period of years is cause enough to replace it. Think about the appliances in your house that you've recently replaced and how much life they had left in them at the time. Not much? A pool's filtration system needs to be in top working order. If not, then it's likely to be not cleaning your pool as efficiently as it needs to be cleaned.
2. It's expected that one day they'll give up the ghost and you'll have to replace them. There's a danger that they'll both go at the same time, when you'll have no funds behind you to sort out the mess. Your pool pump, filtration and cleaning system are the reason it looks so sparkling clean. As a pool owner, you may well have let your duties slide a little bit from time to time. Imagine if you had no choice but to wait for a replacement, and all the while your pool is descending into something resembling a green primordial soup.
3. New technologies are constantly being created and developed specifically to make your life a lot easier. If you're using an old-fashion vacuum that you have to push around the bottom of a pool with a pole then it's definitely time to move on. Newer models of automated pool vacuums are efficient and more hands-free than ever before.
4. The time you spend on your pool maintenance is only going to grow the more you put off replacing your system. With innovations such as leaf eater attachments for your vacuum and salt water chlorinators, the time you spend on pool cleaning and maintenance can be cut down to a fraction.
5. As with all new technologies, the pool maintenance industry is creating more environmentally friendly products. A new cleaner and filtration system uses less energy (saving you money) and is more efficient at its job.
6. If your pool pump is old and cranky, it's likely that it's making a lot of noise. You could simply replace the motor, but it's only a matter of time before the rest of the pump begins to perish.
7. If you're replacing one part of your pool's system, perhaps installing a salt chlorinator or new vacuum, think about its compatibility with your current system. Old and new technologies will not necessarily mix well. Replacing the whole system may seem costly at the time, but it will ensure that all parts of your system are running smoothly and at their best.

There are multiple reasons to replace your current system, but it boils down to the simple idea that a new, more efficient cleaning and filtration system will do the job far better than your old one, leaving you with more time and energy to enjoy your pool.

Bat Droppings in the Attic

How to Get Rid of Bats in the Attic

By Mark J. Donovan

Question: - I am seeing droppings in my attic and I think they are bat droppings. How do I get rid of the bats from my attic?

Answer: I had a similar problem in my home this past fall. Initially I thought it was mice in the attic so I set up a couple of mice traps in the attic. To my surprise I wound up catching a bat in one of the traps.

I discovered that the bats were coming into my attic via the small crevice between the rake trim boards and the house siding. To solve my bat problem I used pipe foam insulating tubes. It’s the type of foam insulation that is used for wrapping around plumbing supply lines. I pushed the foam insulation tubes up into the crevice between the rake trim boards and the house siding. It completely solved my bat problem.

To check if the droppings in your attic are indeed associated with bats, stand outside your home during dusk and see if you observe bats exiting the roof area of your home. If you see them flying out of the roof/attic area try the foam insulating tubes. They work and are very inexpensive. Just watch yourself on the roof or ladder.

Why Frost in the Attic

How to Eliminate the Formation of Frost in the Attic

By Mark J. Donovan

Question: - I went up into my attic last January on a very cold day and observed dripping water, and mold and mildew, on the roof sheathing. I made every attempt to resolve the problem by ripping out all of the moisture sodden insulation and installing new insulation. I also made sure the soffit vents were not blocked and had a new ridge vent installed. Unfortunately I am seeing the same problem again this winter. Do you have any ideas why?

Answer: Sounds like you have a serious moisture problem in your attic and a moisture source that you missed. You did the right things, however, by addressing the attic insulating and ventilation. To find the source of your moisture problem, I would first check the bathroom exhaust fans, vent stacks and then inspect the roof for leaks.

First, make sure your bathroom exhaust fans are being vented outside and not into your attic. Often contractors or DIY homeowners who install bathroom exhaust fans simply let them vent to the attic. This is a major mistake.

Second, make sure there is insulation packed in around any vent stacks that may be coming up from the living area below. Use a can of spray foam insulation to seal any of these types of insulation holes in the attic. The holes cut into the framing for vent stacks are notorious for letting warm moist air from the finished living areas below enter into the attic.

Finally, inspect the roof for leaks. I doubt you have a roof leak problem as you would most likely see much bigger signs of water/moisture problems, e.g. water dripping down into the finished living area of the home, or wet spots forming on the ceilings.

If all of these suggestions fail to uncover a problem, then make sure you have properly sized the amount of ridge vent and soffit vent for your attic. You possibly have an insufficient amount.

What to Look For When Buying a Snowblower

By Mark J. Donovan

If you are in the market for buying a snowblower first consider the size of your driveway and the average snowfall you get every year. Too often people buy too small of a snowblower and end up regretting it every snow storm for years to come.

I made the same mistake when buying my first gas snowblower. I lived in New Hampshire and had a 100 foot driveway at the time. I bought a 5 horsepower, 24 inch wide, two-stage snowblower. After just a couple of years it was worn out and I was fed up pushing around a snow-cone machine in my driveway. The snow basically oozed out of the snowblower by the end of its life.

So I went out and replaced it with an 11 horsepower, two-stage gas snowblower that is nearly 3 feet wide. Ten years later it is still easily pumping out the snow even when there is 1.5 feet of snow in the driveway. When buying a snowblower of this magnitude expect to shell out between $1,000 and 2,000.

If you live in a milder climate, you can go with a smaller sized gas snowblower, such as a 5 horsepower unit or a single stage one. They work fine for a 6 inch snow storm, and can even handle the occasional foot of snow that may grace your driveway. With these smaller horse powered snowblowers you can still expect to shell out between $500 and a $1,000 for it depending upon the make and model, and the particular features it may offer.

If you live in an area where you only get the occasional snow storm with a depth not exceeding 6 inches, an electric snow blower is acceptable. Just make sure you have access to an outlet and plenty of extension cord. Though they don’t have anywhere near the power of a gas snowblower, electric snowblowers are quieter, pollute less, are easier to store, and typically cost less.

Construction Estimating Software

Summary: Construction Estimating Software gives a novice or experienced new home builder, or a new home buyer the opportunity to learn the cost to build any style, size, design, or quality new home in their city…before they even shop for a lot, home plan or a home builder.

The largest purchase anyone makes in their life time is a new home.

To not investigate what it costs to build a new home before committing to buying or building one is foolish especially since the advent of residential construction estimating software.

As little as a decade ago the job of cost estimating was a quagmire, even for experienced professional builders.

Yet, cost estimating is singularly the most important aspect of new home construction!

In my opinion, here is the easiest to use construction estimating software program available and, the only one I am aware of that is free.

Read the rest at “Construction Estimating Software”.

Prevent Ice Dams this Winter

By Mark J. Donovan

Ice dams form due to warm moist air that is trapped in the attic and the constant warming and cooling of the roof during the cold winter days and month. There are two main components that need to be addressed to prevent ice dams, insulation and ventilation.

It is imperative that there is adequate and properly installed attic insulation to prevent warm moist area in the living areas below from filtering up into the attic space. Warm air in the attic can cause the back side of the roof sheathing to become warm and the snow just above it to melt. As it melts it drips towards the roof eaves. Then, as evening approaches and temperatures cool the water freezes up. This daily repeated process of thawing and cooling causes ice dams to form along the roof eaves. Eventually the ice dams build up to the point that melted snow works its way up under the lower courses of shingles. Once the water gets to the back sides of the shingles it inevitably finds a way into the attic and eventually into the lower living areas of the home.

The other major component that needs to be addressed to prevent ice dams is adequate and proper attic ventilation. Any warm air that does filter up into the attic needs to be quickly expelled to the outside so that it does not have time to warm up the underside roof sheathing.

Attic ventilation should include soffit vents and roof vents, such as ridge vent. The rule of thumb is to have approximately 1 square feet of attic ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic ceiling area with a vapor barrier, or every 150 square feet of attic ceiling area without a vapor barrier. Typically there should be around a 50/50 split between soffit vent and roof vent.

So by making sure you have adequate and proper attic insulation and ventilation you can prevent ice dams this winter.

Extra Seating With Bar Stools

by: Kathryn Whittaker

Today’s kitchen can become a complete entertainment center thanks to a sleek kitchen and bar furniture, including a breakfast area with a stylist breakfast bar and bar stools. Many people remodel their kitchens to accommodate a small bar area where they can grab a bite to eat before work or entertain friends with cocktails at a dinner party.

The kitchen has become more than a place to cook due to new technologically advanced appliances and less traditional furniture. Space-saving appliances such as ovens and microwaves combined not only reduce cooking time but save a lot of space too.

With more space, smart homeowners have more space to accommodate an additional seating area to satisfy their entertaining style. It could be another table, a counter with stylish bar stools, or even a couple of lounge chairs.

If you decide to create a little bar area in your kitchen, you need to find the best location for it. Many people disassemble one wall and install a bar counter instead, or leave two pillars and a four-foot riser to be used as a counter. The bar area should not block the traffic in the kitchen. That’s why the best location for it is near the wall, or if that’s not possible, then on an island in the middle of the kitchen.

A bar counter in the middle of the kitchen requires some space around it for comfortable seating and allow the kitchen to function properly. Don’t fall prey for tricky salespeople who may try to sell you a counter with cabinets bigger than your kitchen can accommodate! The access corridor around the bar area should not be less than 3 ft wide.

Luckily, contemporary bar stools require much less space than their traditional counterparts usually seen in restaurants and pubs. Bar stools for home use are much lighter and more artistic in color and style. Since people spend less time at their home bar than behind a table, contemporary bar stools are usually backless or have a very low ergonomically designed back. The most popular ones are swivel, with sturdy legs. Contemporary bar stools can be made of aluminum, fiberglass, or metal.

There are many bar stool options available on the internet. Customers can choose specific heights, colors, wood color and type and seating fabrics for bar stools creating full custom sets. Customers can also choose from free samples of fabrics and other upholstery types, finishes and wood samples. This way, you can have a set of bar stools to perfectly match your current home style. There are web sites that allow you to send in your own fabric to be used as upholstery for the bar stool set.

A great finishing touch to your bar area is to install a radio or small TV in to watch while you cook, eat a quick meal or relax over drinks.

About The Author


Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Bar Stools please visit http://www.bar-stools-guide.com/ and for additional Bar Stool articles please visit the following article page http://www.bar-stools-guide.com/barstools-articles/.

Improving your home and your life only at Home Improvement Idea : http://home-improvement-idea.blogspot.com

Construction Cost Software-Accuracy

Carl,

Regardless of what we end up doing, your website is a great resource!

I went to the building-cost.net that you link to on your “Getting Started” page on byoh.com and have a few questions.

Is the cost to build without the "contractor mark-up" what it would cost was an owner/builder?

Also, there are a few of the sections, mainly the siding and roofing where the options (1-6) have things like wood siding or wood shingles, or stucco.

Do you know what category Hardiplank siding would fall in?

And, what category world just plain “good old” asphalt shingles fall in?

Best regards!

Joyce

Thanks Joyce,

Yes, an owner builder should be able to save the “Contractor Markup” that appears at the bottom of the cost breakdown form generated by the construction estimating software (Cost to Build Calculator) found on my “Getting Started” page.

Jpeg of cost breakdown form: click to enlarge

As for HardiePlank® lap siding (the most popular brand of siding in America), it would most likely be covered under Quality Class 5: Average Standard Stucco or wood siding, some trim or veneer.

Courtesy of HardiePlank®

And, as for (good old) asphalt shingles which top the list of popular roofing materials in the United States and are the choice of 4 out of 5 homeowners, it should be covered under Quality Class 6: Minimum Standard Simple roof plan with minimum composition tile cover, small open soffit.

Quality Classes for Single Family Residences

I say that these two building products “should be” covered under their respective categories because the process used by any construction estimating software used is not going to be that accurate.

Until you or your contractor(s) start getting actual labor material bids and completing an actual “real time” cost breakdown, any costs generated by any construction estimating software program are going to be at best an “educated guess”.

Good luck with your project,

Carl

How to Fix a Door Lock

A Couple Shots of Graphite Lubricant is often all that’s Needed to Fix a Door Lock

By Mark J. Donovan

If you’re having a difficult time inserting or turning the key in your door lock you may be able to fix it with an inexpensive tube of graphite lubricant. Simply squirt in a couple of shots of the graphite lubricant and then reinsert the key and turn it a couple of times. Often that is all that is necessary to fix a door lock.

If the locking button on the door lock is the problem, where it won’t turn easily or only partially, then you’ll need to do a bit more work to fix the door lock. To fix a door lock with this type of problem, remove the screws that hold the door knob handle to the door. Then remove the door knob handle itself to expose the internal parts of the door lock and handle. Again, a couple shots of graphite lubricant on the movable internal parts of the door lock are all that are typically necessary to resolve the door lock problem. Make sure to apply graphite lubricant to the door lock column and to the inside pieces of the door knob handle.

Then reattach the door knob handle back onto the door and test it to see if you’ve fixed your door lock. With any luck your door lock problems are history.

One final note - do not use WD40 as a substitute to the graphite lubricant. The WD40 will attract dust to the door lock and in short order you’ll have a sticking door lock again.

Average Cost to Build a House

Carl,

Is it true that the general rule of thumb is the cost of labor to build a house is about $100 - $110 per square foot? 

And this is in addition to the cost of the land?

Laurie

Hi Laurie,

Rules of thumb for the cost per sq. ft. of a house are dangerous, for professional General Contractors as well as Owner/builders.

Price per sq ft. can swing wildly depending on many factors. Here are a few of those factors:

Size: The bigger the house, the more it costs overall, but the cost per sq. ft. drops dramatically, as the cost of items such as kitchens is spread out over more square footage, and so on.

Design: The pitch of the roof, the type of roof, the style of the roof, the weight of the shingles, the number of windows, the style of windows, and so on, affect the cost per sq. ft. tremendously.

Foundations: type of foundation, land slope, drainage, and the list goes on, all affect the cost per sq. ft.

Shopping: The same house (plan) can vary greatly by quality & cost of labor & materials chosen. Those who love, and are good at shopping get the lowest cost per sq. ft.!

Determining the cost of building a particular house is the number one job of any General Contractor. Nothing else even comes close.

The advent of construction estimating software has made initial rough estimating much easier, but accurate estimating requires much more time and energy.

Review the many different costs to build the different houses on "Cost to Build a House by State" and you'll see more clearly that the "rule of thumb" is that there is no real "rule of thumb".

Good luck,
Carl

Modern Prefab House Residence by Progetto Arquitetura & Interiores, Brazil

I love modern home design, It usually designed in prefab house style, this is my favorite residence design, located in Rio de Jeneiro, Brazil. this stunning residence has been designed by Progetto Arquitetura & Interiores. The idea of this project was to combine both the indoor and the outdoor areas using a contemporary architecture, and the result is an expanded area for different activities that feels part of the entire residence. This residence has three main levels: the kitchen, living and dining areas on the bottom floor and the bedrooms and private areas on the top.

Deicing Salts and Concrete Driveways and Vegetation

By Mark J. Donovan

In preparation for winter weather it’s always wise to buy a few bags of deicing salt and have them handy in the garage. However it is important to understand that deicing salts can wreak havoc on concrete driveways and walkways and can damage adjacent shrubbery and vegetation. In addition, there are number of deicing salts available on the market, each with their own unique pros and cons, and that are designed to work effectively at different temperatures. So which one do you use?

All deicing salts do basically one thing. They lower the melting point or freezing point of water. Their effect is to cause the ice to melt and stay in a liquid water state at lower temperatures.

Sodium Chloride, or rock salt, is the most commonly used deicing salt, and it can effectively melt ice down to about 15o Fahrenheit. Unfortunately it is very corrosive to concrete and metal, and can damage vegetation. It also produces a high amount of Chloride ions which is not healthy for the environment. Consequently rock salt should be used sparingly and on asphalt driveways only.

Potassium chloride is another common deicing salt, however it is effective only down to 20o Fahrenheit and it too easily damages concrete.

Calcium chloride dicing salt is another option. It melts ice even faster than Sodium Chloride and can effectively melt ice down to -20o Fahrenheit. It can be an irritant to skin and it too is corrosive to concrete.

The last fairly common dicing salt is Magnesium Chloride. Similar to Sodium Chloride it works down to around 0o Fahrenheit, however it is less damaging to concrete and vegetation. It also releases fewer Chlorides ions than Sodium Chloride.

So this winter make sure to stop by the local hardware store and pick up the right dicing salt for your climate, and driveway and sidewalk surface conditions. Regardless of what deicing salt you choose, the best rule of thumb is to use it as sparingly as possible. By doing so you can accomplish your main goal of eliminating ice build up on your driveway or sidewalk, while at the same time minimizing environmental harm to your concrete surfaces and localized vegetation.

Dome Home Second Floor Support

Summary: Dome Homes are extremely delicate structures and require careful, professional engineering for specific structural loads. David Moore, AIA

Hi David

I am designing a 50 ft diameter dome with second floor.

My questions are about supporting the second level floor.

What kind of system offers the largest span?

Since the dome offers a 50 ft free span, I hate to break up the first floor with a lot of pillars or walls.

I will have a 16ft wide master suite on the first floor, and laundry and guest bath.

All will be on the outside walls, with great room/kitchen on the other side and in the middle.

Would a couple of pillars work OK in conjunction with the bearing wall of the bedrooms?

What would you recommend?

Thank you,

Michael


Michael,

The second floor could be suspended from the dome if the structure is designed to support it. Otherwise, plywood web joists can span 50'.

The dome must also be engineered to support the edge of the second floor, or you will need a ring of columns around the perimeter.

Domes are extremely delicate structures and require careful, professional engineering for your specific structural loads. Try this Wikipedia link for an informative article about loads.

You should not construct a dome without an engineer.

Good luck with your project,

David Moore, AIA
originalhome.com

Dear Readers,

Do you have a question for David?

Click here to Ask the Architect.

Carl

More Holiday Gift Ideas for 2010

The clock is ticking for ordering gifts online but it's not too late to find something unusual or unique for your family and friends. For those who have loved ones in other cities or states, online shopping is a convenient way to have their gifts shipped directly to them, saving you time and a trip to the post office.

If you know someone who likes Southwestern art and decor, this authentic, hand made Native American pottery would make an excellent gift.

This first piece was made by Navajo Indians in the Four Corners region of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. It is a wedding vase with hand painted pueblo designs and real feather embellishments. This vase is also very affordable.

Native American Four Corners Traditionally Painted Wedding Vase Pottery












This next pot is so attractive and unique because of the crushed turquoise finish. The animal carvings and feathers add even more texture and visual appeal.

Mata Ortiz Hand Coiled Turquoise Indian Pottery












This beautiful little pot is a creation of Navajo artists Kevin Williams and Jolinda Black of Shonto, Arizona. It is entirely hand coiled with hand made designs.

Navajo Hand Coiled Pine Pitch Pottery Indian Pottery













You can get a wholesale lot of gorgeous Mata Ortiz hand coiled pottery when you buy this set of six pots. Each one has a different shape and design. These pots make a stunning display when grouped together or you can hand them out individually. Get all six for only $299, or about $50 per pot.

Wholesale Lot of Mata Ortiz Hand Coiled Native Deluxe Pottery Set of Six












A great gift idea for the Southwestern art lover in your life is this pen and colored pencil sketch by Native American artist Frankie Nez, a full blooded Navajo from Arizona. This beautiful picture is the original sketch, not a print.

Original "Rainbow Dance" Navajo Pen & Colored Pencil Sketch by Native American artist Frankie Nez












This adorable, smiling Indian child was painted by Navajo artist Don Clark. It is a high quality canvas transfer in which a thick copy is taken from the original and is transferred to another canvas. The result is a stunning print that looks identical to the original.

Open Edition Canvas Transfer "Happiness of Youth" Indian Oil Painting by Don Clark












Kachina dolls are gifts given in hope of future abundance and good health. They have highly significant spiritual meaning for the Hopi people, representing everything from animals to abstract concepts. The Hopi were the original Kachina doll carvers, carving each one out of a single piece of cottonwood root. The Navajo also began making their own Kachina dolls with added leather, feathers, beads and turquoise. This colorful Sunface Kachina doll is Navajo made and signed on the bottom by the artist. A truly unique, one-of-a-kind gift, this collectible will grow in value over time.

Golf Trophy Kachina Doll Collection Sunface Kachina Doll Navajo Made Signed













Here is a set of three hand carved Kachina dolls by Navajo artist L. Multine. Each one is unique and painstakingly hand painted with beautiful native designs.

Set of Three Sculpted Miniature Native American Kachina Dolls


For more authentic Native American crafts including pottery, Kachina dolls, Navajo rugs and more, visit my Native American and Southwestern decor page.

Snow Blower Maintenance

Prepare Snow Blower for Winter

By Mark J. Donovan

With winter almost officially upon us it’s time to pull out the snow blower and prepare it for winter weather. Snow blower maintenance should include cleaning the spark plug, changing the oil, and putting fresh gas into it. Also make sure to turn the gas cut off valve to the ON position. In addition, check the snow blower shear pins to make sure they are connected to the auger blade and drive shaft. You may also want to buy a couple of extra shear pins in case you break one during the winter season. It’s a major pain to break a shear pin in the middle of a snowstorm when you can’t as readily make it to the hardware store. Also make sure the muffler does not need to be replaced.

Also, as part of the snow blower maintenance, check to make sure the adjustable skids that are attached to the base of the snow blower frame are set evenly and at the right height so that the horizontal auger blade is not touching the pavement. In addition, make sure the pull chord is not frayed and is in good working order.

Once the general maintenance has been completed, fire up the snow blower to make sure it runs smoothly. If it does not, you may need to adjust the carburetor. If you do not have the skill or energy to adjust the carburetor take it into a shop to have them tune it up for you.

Construction Estimating Software-Cost to Build in Taos NM

Summary: Construction estimating software allows YOU to estimate and adjust the cost to build your dream home in advance, before you make any decisions.

Hi Carl,

We are looking at moving to Taos, New Mexico 87571 and the housing is quite expensive compared to the Midwest rural area we live in now.

We are trying to downsize and still have a custom home with all the bells and whistles.

We were hoping to go a bit smaller and decrease the mortgage, but still have some bells and whistles one would have in a custom home.

Can you give me an idea what it would cost to have maybe a 2300 sq foot home built in Taos, NM.

Thank you,
Sue


Hi Sue,
Thanks to construction estimating software, your question can easily be answered and, you can answer it!

I’ll show you how.

As little as 10 years ago this would have been a question that only a very experience Taos, NM builder (General Contractor) could have answered…maybe.

Since you don’t yet have a particular home plan, I picked one at random from Associated Designs with approximately 2300 sq. ft.

Bryant 11-024 from Associated Designs

Living Area: 2375 sq. ft.
Garage: 627 sq. ft.
Floors: 1
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2 1/2
2 X 4 stud wall construction
Slab foundation

Using the construction estimating software found on my “Getting Started” page, I ran a cost to build this home first with no bells and whistles (Quality Class 6), then with some bells and whistles (Quality Class 4), then with all the bells and whistles (Quality Class 1)

The results are as follows: (Note: Quality Class 6 was used for the foundation (slab) category in all the examples below)

Click to enlarge

Quality Class 6 = $237,757 (Including a General Contractor markup), or $100.10 per sq.ft.

Click to enlarge

Quality Class 4 = $307,841 (Including a General Contractor markup), or $129.61 per sq.ft.

Click to enlarge

Quality Class 1 = $792,761 (Including a General Contractor markup), or $333.79 per sq.ft.

As you can see, bells and whistles can get expensive, but obviously there is a lot of room for adjustment and by adjusting design and quality (bells & whistles) priorities, you can adjust the total cost to build to suit your budget

You can review the different characteristics of each quality class by running the calculator yourself.

The Quality Classes all have a pop up window which tell you what design and materials are influencing the final cost to build. Here's a screen shot of the window for selecting the different Quality Classes. Click on the image to enlarge.

All these estimates are just rough estimates. They should however, help you when you start to get construction bids from General Contractors.

Remember, the devil is indeed in the details. Be sure you get every bell and whistle spelled out IN WRITING (Specifications and Allowances) from each General Contractor. Make sure each General Contractor has the same Specifications and Allowances in their contracts.

Good luck on your move to the South West,

Carl

Modifying Home Plans Made Easy

Here’s a fun home plan site. You can actually play with, and make small modifications to a few of the plans on the web site Original Home Plans...Read the rest of the article HERE.


Photo Courtesy of Original Home Plans

Great site…Beautiful Homes!
Carl
Tip: Read my article "How to Read House Plans"

How Much Does it Really Cost to Build a House in Atherton California

Dear Carl,

My husband is planning to knock down our 60 year old house in Atherton, CA and build a new house on our land (a very flat land).

He talked to a local architect and the architect told him that we need to budget at least $1Million (on top of $25K for him to design the house, about $2K to do a land survey, etc.) to build a 4000-4500 sq ft house on our flat land.

$1 Million is way beyond our affordability.

Do we really need to hire an architect?

Do you know the average per square foot construction cost in the Bay area of N. CA?

Can you give us some ideas how to cut the corners?

My husband is a retired engineer and I am a retired accountant.

I believe there are lot of things that we can DIY to save money.

Thanks.

Mrs. C.

Hello Mrs. C.

I didn’t know if I should call this post “Cost to Build a House in Atherton, California” or, “How to Work with an Audacious Architect”.

First of all, you and your husband must determine your total budget to build, not your architect.

Second of all, your architect, or any architect, should work for YOU and should work towards YOUR budget, not the other way around.

An architect of all people should know that size, design features and the “quality” of construction are major (huge) cost variables and that the designers and/or builders of most, if not all, single-family homes add and delete size, quality & design features so as to control the final cost of construction.

Your architect should be happy to make your dream house fit your budget.

Quality does not always mean just the quality of materials. It can often cross over and reflect the design of a house or rooms. For example:
• Circular rooms cost more to build than a square room, even using the same building materials.
• 10 foot ceilings (instead of 8’ or even 9’) open a whole new world of extra costs.
• Curved staircases, marble floors, intricate moldings, oversize windows, special window design, solar panels, etc. (and the list can go on ad infinitum) can and will add cost without changing the square footage or the basic design.

Quality features that you can add or delete are on the page called "What is the Quality Class of This Home" on the “Cost to Build” calculator on my “Getting Started” page. On this page of the calculator you can adjust the estimated cost to build based on quality & design. You can adjust these factors for any house plan until it fits your budget.

I don’t like the term “cutting corners”. It implies cheapness or cheating.

Adjusting quality, design, and/or square footage to fit a budget is just plain smart. Even Bill Gates had a budget when he built his home.

As you will see below, I arrived at two estimated costs to build this beautiful 4,555 sq ft house, ranging from a low of $434,855 to a high of $1,190,478.

Houseplansandmore.com HOME PLAN #592-095S-0003

• 4555 Total Square Feet
• 1st Floor 2832
• 2nd Floor 1723
• Width: 115'-0" Depth: 76'-0"
• 4 Bedrooms
• 4 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath
• 2-Car Attached, Front Entry Size: 23ft. 0in. x 22ft. 4in.
• Foundation - Slab

Note: the cost estimates below are for the “house only” and are as of June 2010…NO land costs or demolition costs are included.

Houseplansandmore.com’s estimated cost to build this home for zip code 94027 is $614,925.

Here’s what I estimated using the “Cost to Build “Calculator” found on my “Getting Started” page: http://www.byoh.com/gettingstarted.htm

Using #6 Quality Class (custom home of minimum Standard Quality) & a slab foundation I arrived at a “rough” estimated cost to build of $434,855 ((including a General Contractor markup of $44206), or $95.46 per square foot.

But with # 2 Quality Class, (the second most expensive), the total cost was $1,190,478 (including a General Contractor markup of $126,612), or $261.35 per sq ft.

I used the same basic house design, same size house, just a difference in quality of construction (which could involve both building materials and design features) for both estimates!

The lower cost home is still a beautiful home and of a quality that many builders (including me) would use in building a house “for sale” (a spec home).

From the street, and all other things equal (such as landscaping, etc.), it would be hard to tell the difference between this house built at a cost of $434,855.00 vs. this house built at a cost of $1,190,478

As for your need to hire an architect, with a house of this size your local Building Inspection Department may (probably will) require you to use a licensed architect and/or a licensed structural engineer for the design (blueprints and specifications).

However, you and your husband both sound qualified to act as your own General Contractor and might want to look further into that option.

But at any rate, to me $434,855 vs. $1,190,478 is a “no brainer”.

Note: Since you are tearing down your house, do NOT forget to read my information on “House Tear Down”.
Best of luck,
Carl

Bad Credit-Construction Loans

Summary: Good people with bad credit can find solutions for homeowner loans and home mortgage loan needs. Poor credit is not a problem forever.

Carl, I have gone down the road of debt and have gotten myself in a lot of trouble. I no longer have the credit for a construction loan, or any loan.

Is it possible with an above average job, and a lot of extra time to build a house out of your pocket? I.E. pay cash for site prep, save, pay cash for foundation, save, etc.

Thank you!!
Jason

Hi Jason,

It is almost impossible to build a new home “out of pocket”. It is also almost impossible to get a mortgage with bad credit and unfortunately while they are secured loans, construction loans are mortgages.

Secured loans are usually considered by lenders as safe loans and even though construction loans are secured loans they are considered the riskiest of secured loans.

Even if you could find a mortgage with bad credit, the mortgage rates for bad credit would be very high…too high.

So, what I would do if I were you is…read the rest HERE.

(A house left unprotected & exposed to the elements)

7 Towns Where Land is Free

As small towns suffer from a continuing flight from rural toward-more urban living, some economic development groups and governments in these troubled areas have chosen to stay and fight.

As with the homesteaders of the 1800s, the new pioneers must not be the faint of heart-they can't be the type to shy away from the trials of building a home from the ground up, or the lack of Starbucks on every corner, or unpaved roads...read the rest of the story HERE.

See a slide show of all 7 HERE.

New Richland is a town of about 1200 in southern Minnesota, 75 miles from the outskirts of the Twin Cities, offering lake recreation and many fine churches. If this sounds like home, then consider a free 86’ x 133’ lot on the Homestake subdivision on the northwest side of town. Those who claim lots must build a house on the property within one year.

New Richland, MN

Freddie Mac Suspends Evictions

If rolling 30 day lates have evolved into a Notice of Default and you are counting down the days until you are "served" with a request to vacate the premises, you can breath easy until after the New Year (Freddie Mac Suspends Evictions From December 20 to January 3, 2011)

McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today announced it has ordered all evictions involving foreclosed occupied single family and 2-4 unit properties that had Freddie Mac mortgages to be suspended from December 20, 2010 to January 3, 2011.

"If the property is occupied, our foreclosure attorneys will suspend the eviction to provide a greater measure of certainty to families during the holidays," said Anthony Renzi, Executive Vice President of Single Family Portfolio Management at Freddie Mac.

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders.

Over the years, Freddie Mac has made homes possible for one in six home buyers and more than five million renters.

New Polymer-Wood Hybrid House Siding May Have Legs

A New Composite House Siding Could Be the Wave of the Future in Home Siding?

By Mark J. Donovan

Some argue that a new polymer-wood hybrid house siding product is better than any other type of home siding product on the market, less real wood or brick. The new polymer-wood hybrid house siding product is certainly more attractive and sturdier than vinyl siding. It is also cheaper than real wood siding.

Polymer wood hybrid house siding, on the other hand, is more expensive than fiber cement board, at least initially. A manufacturer of polymer-wood house siding, however, argues that their product does not require the initial priming and painting, as well as the periodic painting and maintenance, that fiber cement board house siding does. Thus over time, the manufacturer argues that polymer-wood hybrid house siding is cheaper. Hybrid polymer-wood house siding is also available in a variety of colors so there are plenty of choices for the homeowner. Alside’s Revolution Composite siding, for example, is available in 9 different colors.

Polymer-wood hybrid house siding is not meant to be installed by the diy homeowner or untrained carpenter. The proper installation of polymer-wood hybrid house siding requires new installation methods and special training.

Hopefully this latest composite house siding product will hold up better than some of its predecessors. Other composite house siding products have been shown to attract mold and mildew, swell, and delaminate over time.

Mortgages after Bankruptcy

Summary: With at least two years from discharge of a bankruptcy and reestablished credit with improved credit scores you should be able to apply for a construction loan to build a new home or a home mortgage loan to buy a home.

Carl,

...the bills piled up and we had no choice but to declare bankruptcy.

I have a good job now, and have had it for a little over three years.

We don't have many debts, just one car and one credit card, plus our rent.

Is there any hope of getting a loan to build?

Gabe


Hi Gabe,

Bankruptcy is not the end of the world...read the rest HERE.