About Build-Your-House.com

Why This Site Exists

You're standing at the edge of one of the biggest decisions of your life: building your own home. The potential savings are massive - $50,000, $100,000, even $200,000+ depending on your project. But the risks? They're just as big.

The internet is full of advice. Some of it's good. Much of it is dangerously oversimplified. And almost none of it comes from someone who's actually done this professionally, day in and day out, for years.

That's why Build-Your-House.com exists.

This site was created to give owner-builders something that's been missing: professional-grade guidance from someone who's actually built custom homes and knows exactly where owner-builders succeed and where they fail.

The Story Behind the Site

From Professional Builder to Owner-Builder Advocate

I'm a retired general contractor with over 15 years of experience in residential construction. I've built custom homes, ranging from modest 1,500 square foot ranches to million dollar estates. I've managed crews of 30+ people, coordinated complex projects with dozens of subcontractors, and navigated every building code nightmare you can imagine.

But here's what changed my perspective: Over the years, I watched countless capable, motivated homeowners get talked out of being their own general contractor by people in the industry who had a financial interest in keeping them on the sidelines.

"You'll never get a loan." "It's too complicated." "You'll make expensive mistakes." "Subs won't work for you."

Some of those concerns are valid. But most are exaggerated to justify 15-20% general contractor fees that many homeowners simply don't need to pay.

The Truth About Owner-Building

Here's what I learned after consulting with dozens of owner-builders:

The capable ones - the organized, detail-oriented, willing-to-learn types - don't need a full-service GC. They need:

  1. Expert guidance on the 5% of decisions that really matter
  2. A clear roadmap for the permitting and inspection process
  3. Help understanding when to DIY and when to hire out
  4. Templates, checklists, and systems to stay organized
  5. Someone to call when they hit a problem they don't know how to solve

They don't need someone charging $80,000 to answer their phone calls and show up once a week.

That realization led me to create Build-Your-House.com.

My Mission & Values

Mission Statement

To provide owner-builders with professional-grade guidance, practical tools, and expert support - empowering capable homeowners to successfully build their own homes while avoiding costly mistakes.

Core Values

Honesty Over Sales If you shouldn't build your own home, I'll tell you. If you can save money by going a different route, I'll share that too. I'm not here to sell you something you don't need.

Real Experience Over Theory Everything on this site is based on real-world experience, not internet research or theoretical knowledge.

Accessible Expertise Professional-level advice shouldn't cost $500/hour for a phone call. The goal is to make expert guidance accessible to regular people building regular homes.

No Gatekeeping The construction industry has a bad habit of making things seem more complicated than they are to justify fees. I believe in demystifying the process and empowering capable people to do this themselves.

Safety First I'll never recommend cutting corners on structural, electrical, or safety-critical work. Your family will live in this house - we're building it right.

What I'm Not

Let me be clear about limitations:

I'm not your licensed contractor of record. If your jurisdiction requires a licensed GC on the project, I can't fill that role remotely.

I'm not a substitute for local professionals. For engineering, architecture, or specialized trades, you need local licensed professionals.

I'm not liable for your project. The consulting and advice provided through this site is educational. Ultimate responsibility for your project rests with you.

The Bigger Picture

Homeownership is the primary wealth-building tool for most American families. But housing costs have exploded while wages haven't kept pace.

For many families, building your own home as an owner-builder is the difference between:

I believe capable, motivated people should have access to the knowledge and guidance they need to build their own homes. That's what this site provides.

Personal Note

Building a house is hard. Being your own general contractor is harder. There will be moments when you question whether it was the right decision.

But for the right person - someone who's organized, teachable, and committed - it's absolutely doable. I've watched dozens of owner-builders succeed. I've seen them make mistakes (and helped them fix them). I've seen them save massive amounts of money and build homes they're genuinely proud of.

My goal is to be the resource I wish existed when I first started in construction - the experienced professional who's willing to share real knowledge without gatekeeping or agenda.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you licensed in my state?

The vast majority of building codes are based on the International Residential Code (IRC), which is adopted nationwide with minor variations. The guidance on this site applies to most U.S. locations, with state-specific guides for major differences.

Do you build houses for people?

No. I'm not available for full-service general contracting. This site exists specifically to help owner-builders who want to be their own GC.

If you're looking to hire someone to build your house, you need a local general contractor, not a consultant.

Why should I trust you over [other site/resource]?

You shouldn't blindly trust anyone - including me. Do your research. Verify credentials. Check multiple sources.

What if I disagree with your advice?

Great! That means you're thinking critically. Building codes evolve, local requirements vary, and there's often more than one right way to do things.

Last updated: November 2025

Ready to start your owner-builder journey? Begin with our Start Here page or jump straight to our feasibility assessment.