Student Reviews
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Really Substantial Information
Michael Radney
I cannot explain many houses you'd have to build to gain some of the insight this course provides. There were so many valuable lessons that simplify your wo...
Read MoreI cannot explain many houses you'd have to build to gain some of the insight this course provides. There were so many valuable lessons that simplify your work site by telling you where you should be looking and what you should expect to see. Thank you, this was excellent.
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My Thought of "Build Your Own Home" is very clear and eas...
Carlos Reyes
So far from what I have read I feel confident in this course of building my own home, everything is clear and detail on each process
So far from what I have read I feel confident in this course of building my own home, everything is clear and detail on each process
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Valuable Lessons
Doug Folland
I have read several books on being an owner/builder as well as visiting websites, blogs and YouTube. This course pulled all of the information learn from t...
Read MoreI have read several books on being an owner/builder as well as visiting websites, blogs and YouTube. This course pulled all of the information learn from those sources together and filled many gaps. Things I found especially valuable were lessons on getting bids that allow equil comparison of subs, scopes of work,and seeing how each step of the building process relates to the other steps. I really liked how at the completion of each step, Michael discussed what he does to make sure the job was done correctly before moving to the next task. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience !
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Thought I was a little more ready than I actually was...
Mark Pay
My father taught me how to be handy with the normal needs of a house, that is where it started. I have completed repairs and rehab projects since. I have eve...
Read MoreMy father taught me how to be handy with the normal needs of a house, that is where it started. I have completed repairs and rehab projects since. I have even seen and played general contractor on a couple of home improvement projects, so I new I could become my own GC for my own new home build. After seeing this, and the price of this course, I thought it can't hurt to review and see more information, let alone be able to ask questions to an expreienced GC, so I bought it. WOW, I learned about a lot of smaller and bigger things that I did not know about, and would have certainly cost me some extra time, and probably some money. I am pleasantly surprised at how well this was presented and how handy it will be when I actually go through the process to be able to refer back to and to get some advice as needed. This is VERY WELL WORTH IT!
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If you dreamed of doing this, here's your map!
Zac Gibson
Not finished going through the entire course, but this is a seriously detailed map on how to do this. If you're serious about going this route, BUY THIS COURSE!
Read MoreNot finished going through the entire course, but this is a seriously detailed map on how to do this. If you're serious about going this route, BUY THIS COURSE!
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Excellent Course
Kristin Breuner
This is an excellent, thorough course that covers the basics of the home building process taught by a real pro, Michael Luckado, with a hands on approach usi...
Read MoreThis is an excellent, thorough course that covers the basics of the home building process taught by a real pro, Michael Luckado, with a hands on approach using video, text and images. I've done some remodeling and plan to build a custom home in Southern California and this course has given me a much needed education and the confidence to move forward. Kristin Breuner
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Thinking about building your own home?
Lance McLean
I am in the process of trying to figure if I would be able to build my own home or not. I am not the most technical guy in the world. Anyway, I found this ...
Read MoreI am in the process of trying to figure if I would be able to build my own home or not. I am not the most technical guy in the world. Anyway, I found this an excellent course to start attaining/acquiring knowledge around the entire process of building a home. Excellent job. Thank you.
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Great Course
Mark Vernon
I found the course to be excellent with a great deal of detail and very useful information. Also thoroughly enjoyed the discussion comments from other stude...
Read MoreI found the course to be excellent with a great deal of detail and very useful information. Also thoroughly enjoyed the discussion comments from other students that helped put perspective and more detail on some of the areas.
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Simply amazing!
Gabrielle Chanel
Just finished chapter 1 and already feel like I got my money's worth and more! Detailed, gets right to the point and clears up so much confusion about the ho...
Read MoreJust finished chapter 1 and already feel like I got my money's worth and more! Detailed, gets right to the point and clears up so much confusion about the home building process. Thanks so much for putting this together!
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Course Curriculum
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1
Welcome to the course!
- Introduction
- About this course
- Can You Build Your Own Home?
- Before we begin...
- Support When You Need It
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2
Chapter 1: Finding a Building Lot & Financing the Project
- Creating Your Overall Budget First
- How Much to Spend?
- What to Look for When Evaluating Potential Lots
- Soil Report Sample
- How Much Should My Lot Cost?
- Lot Selection Criteria
- Rural Lot with Drainage Ditch/Driveway Crossing
- Lot Purchase Checklist
- Lot Holding Cost Worksheet
- Homeowner's Insurance Check
- Septic System
- Water Well Installation & Cost
- Land Pre-Purchase: Don't Do This!
- Purchasing Your Lot or Land
- Expansive Soil and Your New Building Lot
- Owner Builder Loans
- Test your learning
- Introduction: The Owner Builder Loans Interview
- Typical Qualifications for a Loan
- Common Terms with Owner Builder Loans
- Inspections for Loan Draws
- Financing the Lot
- Loan Processing Fees
- Interest Rates and When Interest is Charged
- Construction-to-Permanent Loan
- Options for Financing Your Build
- What if you exceed your 12 month loan term or exceed your budget?
- Good Advice for Owner Builders
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3
Chapter 2: Hiring Subcontractors
- The House Plans
- Determining Rough Cost to Build
- Rule of Thumb Cost Estimate
- Help with Determining Preliminary Cost Per Square Foot
- House Plan Recommendations
- House Plans 101: Reading Your Plans
- House Plans 102: Pages & Key Notes
- Architect or Designer...Which to choose?
- Student Question: Floor Trusses vs. 2x12's?
- Prefab Wall Panels vs. Stick-Built Onsite
- Scopes of Work and Specifications: What are they?
- Scopes of Work and Specifications: Video Walk Through
- House Plan Lot Fit
- Finalize Bid Packages for Subcontractors
- Bid Sheet, Asphalt Shingle Roof
- General Scope of Work and Specification
- Example of a General Scope of Work and Specification
- Roofing Scopes of Work and Specifications
- Countertop Scopes of Work & Specifications
- Bid Sheets: What are they?
- Bid Sheet Video Walk Through
- Subcontractor Information Sheet
- Sending out Bid Requests
- How Far Out from the Start Date Should You Request Bids?
- Common Mistakes Made by Owner Builders
- Making Changes Later On
- Test your learning
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4
Chapter 3: Finding Trades & Suppliers
- Create the Bid List
- Test Your Learning
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5
Chapter 4: Attorney Review of Contract
- Attorney Review of Contract
- Contract Review
- Test Your Learning
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6
Chapter 5: Review Bids
- Review Bids
- Bid Comparison Video
- Help! My Contractor Won't Break Down Their Bid
- Test Your Learning.
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Chapter 6: Negotiate Pricing
- Negotiation
- Lien Waivers
- A Great Question from a Fellow Student
- Review: Hiring Subcontractors
- Test Your Learning
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Chapter 7: Sign Contracts
- Sign Contracts
- Test Your Learning
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Chapter 8: Finalize Budget
- Finalize Budget
- Budget Line Items
- Test Your Learning
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Chapter 9: Insurance During Construction
- Insurance Coverage
- Test Your Learning
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11
Chapter 10: Develop Engineered Site Plan
- Engineered Site Plan
- Tree Clearing Next to Home
- Engineered Site Plan Video Walk Through
- Test Your Learning
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12
Chapter 11: Obtain Building Permit
- Permit Application
- Working with Your Local Building Department
- Why so Many Departments?
- Permit Application Process Example
- Owner Builder Affidavit
- Owner Builder Affidavit, Disclosure Statement, or Exemption Form
- Test Your Learning
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Chapter 12: Review Construction Schedule
- The Schedule
- Video Introduction for the Construction Schedule
- Detailed Video for The Schedule
- Owner Builder Toolkit
- Checking Schedule Progress with Video Camera
- What's The Best Time of Year to Start Building?
- Schedule Delays
- Safety on the New Home Job Site
- Test Your Learning
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Chapter 13: Let's Start Construction! The Foundation
- The Foundation Schedule
- Clear Trees & Install Temporary Electric Service
- Lot Preparation
- Strip Topsoil & Install Construction Drive
- Stake Lot & Order Windows, Exterior Doors and Trusses
- Excavate for Foundation and Install Sewer & Water Service
- Tip for Storing Home Plans on Your Construction Site
- Check Excavation Elevation & Soil Bearing
- Soil Bearing Check
- Inspect & Pour Footings
- Form Footings
- Footing Quality Check
- Foundation Walls
- Strip Footing Forms & Pour Foundation Walls
- Strip Foundation Wall Panels
- Prepare for Basement Waterproofing
- Foundation Quality Check
- Install Drain Tile
- Waterproof & Insulate Foundation Walls
- Underground Plumbing & Sump Crock
- Backfill & Install Downspout Undergrounds
- Backfill, Install Downspout Undergrounds, Trench Electric Service, & Rough Grade
- Prep & Pour Interior Slabs
- Downspout Locations
- Why It's Important to Insulate Your Basement Walls
- Install Above Grade Foundation Insulation
- Foundation Insulation Above Grade
- Foundation Engineering Best Practices
- Foundation Quality Check Two Years After Pour
- Foundation Schedule Complete
- Slab Foundation Types
- Turnkey Contractors & Suppliers
- Test Your Learning
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Chapter 14: Frame Schedule
- Lumber Delivery
- Frame Floor Deck
- Frame Walls & Basement Stairs
- Roof Framing
- Install Windows & Exterior Doors & Pour Front Porch
- Exterior Door Installation Best Practice
- Frame Porch Roof & Install Trim and Columns
- Roof Installation
- Frame Punch 1
- Frame Quality Check
- Plumbing Rough
- Hot Water Heater Location
- Install Exterior Stone
- HVAC Rough & Exterior Paint
- Electrical Rough
- Indirect Lighting with Crown Molding
- Preparing for Finishing the Lower Level
- Draft/Fire Stop & Frame Punch 2
- Draft and Fire Stop
- Frame Inspection
- Bath Fan Connections
- Insulation
- Drywall Hang & Install Overhead Garage Door
- Finish Drywall and Blow Ceiling Insulation
- Siding, Soffit and Fascia
- Install Awnings & Corbels
- Test Your Learning
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Chapter 15: Final Finishes
- Prime & Paint Walls/Ceilings
- Install Cabinets, Interior Trim/Doors & Master Shower Tile
- Paint Interior Trim & Doors
- Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
- Install Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
- Install Countertops
- Final Plumbing & Install Appliances
- Electrical and HVAC Final
- Install Master Shower Door, Shelving & Hardware
- Driveway
- Final Grade
- Final Clean & Final Punchlist
- Call for Final Inspection
- Test Your Learning
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17
Bonus Content
- Options to Consider for Your New Home
- Detailed Cost Savings for Owner Builders
- Costs to Add Storage
- Lumber Costs Are Still Expensive: Ideas on How to Deal with it
- The Energy Check
- Radon Mitigation System
- eBook: Building a Home a Step by Step Guide (free download)
- Slab vs. Pier and Beam Foundation Resource
- The Dry Well for Low Spots in Grade
- Termites and Your New Home
- Dumpster Fire
- Multi-Family Construction: Key Differences in Planning and Execution
- Reducing Stress as an Owner Builder
- Building in Florida
- Home Additions: The Major Items to Consider
- ADU Planning Resources
- Because the Attorney Says So
- Build Your Legacy
- Do I Have What it Takes to be an Owner Builder?
- Glossary of Terms
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18
Next steps
- NEXT STEPS AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Before you go...