Owner-Builder Blog
Real stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical advice from the trenches of owner-building. These aren't theoretical guides - they're battle-tested insights from people who've actually built their own homes.
Featured Posts
The First 30 Days as an Owner-Builder
What to do when you've pulled the trigger but don't know where to start
You've got your permits (or you're about to). Your land is cleared. The dream is about to become very real - and very intimidating. These first 30 days will set the tone for your entire build. Get them right, and you'll save months of headaches. Get them wrong, and you'll be playing catch-up for the next year.
What you'll learn:
- Critical decisions that can't be changed later
- Systems to set up from day one
- The three things everyone wishes they'd done in week one
- How to avoid the "I thought someone else was handling that" disaster
Read time: 12 minutes
The 10 Biggest Mistakes Owner-Builders Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Each of these mistakes costs an average of $8,000 and 6 weeks. Here's how to dodge them.
We interviewed 50+ owner-builders who've completed homes in the last three years. The mistakes were remarkably consistent - and remarkably expensive. The good news? They're all completely avoidable if you know what to watch for.
What you'll learn:
- The $23,000 foundation mistake that happened because of a phone call
- Why "just making it work" with electrical costs an average of $4,500 to fix later
- The scheduling mistake that adds 8 weeks to 90% of owner builds
- How to avoid the trap of "I can save money by..."
Read time: 15 minutes
How to Choose Land for Building: What They Don't Tell You Until It's Too Late
That perfect piece of land might be a $50,000 nightmare. Here's how to tell the difference.
Beautiful views. Perfect location. Great price. You're ready to make an offer. But did you check the soil report? The septic suitability? The actual cost to run power? The buildable area after setbacks? This post could save you from the most expensive mistake you'll ever make.
What you'll learn:
- The 27-point due diligence checklist (print it, use it)
- Red flags that mean "walk away no matter how good it looks"
- Hidden costs that turn "$50K for land" into "$120K before you pour concrete"
- How to read a survey and why most people miss the critical details
Read time: 14 minutes
Managing a Construction Loan as an Owner-Builder
Getting the money is hard. Not screwing up the draw schedule is harder.
Construction loans aren't like regular mortgages. Miss a draw deadline, and you're funding the next phase out of pocket. Fail an inspection, and the bank won't release funds. Have the wrong documentation, and you'll wait weeks for money you need now. This is the guide to not imploding your construction loan.
What you'll learn:
- Which loan types actually work for owner-builders (most don't)
- How draw schedules really work (and why timing is everything)
- The documentation the bank wants before they'll release a dime
- What to do when the inspector fails something and your draw is frozen
Read time: 13 minutes
Is Owner-Building Right During a Recession? Economic Timing vs. Life Timing
The economy is weird. Interest rates are high. Material costs are volatile. Should you wait?
Everyone's got an opinion about market timing. "Wait for rates to drop." "Material costs will come down." "Now is the worst time." But what if you're 35 with two kids in a 900 sq ft apartment? What if you're 50 and tired of waiting for the "right time"? This post cuts through the noise.
What you'll learn:
- Economic factors that actually matter (and which ones are just noise)
- Why waiting for "perfect conditions" often costs more than building now
- How to build recession-proof into your plans
- The case for building when everyone says you shouldn't
Read time: 11 minutes
Tools I Wish I'd Bought Sooner: ROI Stories from the Job Site
Every owner-builder has a "Why didn't I buy this 6 months ago?" moment.
You're trying to save money, so you rent tools, borrow tools, make do with the cheap version. Then six months in, you finally buy the right tool and realize you've wasted 100 hours and developed a hatred for [insert task]. These are the tools that changed everything.
What you'll learn:
- The $400 tool that saves 2 hours every single day (pays for itself in week three)
- Why the $89 version costs you way more than the $400 version
- Tools that are worth buying vs. tools that are worth renting
- The quality-of-life improvements that make you actually want to be on the job site
Read time: 10 minutes
About This Blog
These posts aren't written by professional writers who've never swung a hammer. They're based on interviews with real owner-builders, data from actual builds, and lessons learned the expensive way.
Our promise:
- No fluff or filler
- Real numbers (costs, timelines, savings)
- Actionable takeaways you can use tomorrow
- Honest about what's hard and what's worth it
Categories
Getting Started
- First 30 days
- Choosing land
- Financing strategies
Avoiding Disasters
- Common mistakes
- Red flags to watch for
- When to call in professionals
Money & Budgeting
- Construction loans
- Economic timing
- Where to splurge vs. save
Tools & Equipment
- What to buy vs. rent
- ROI calculations
- Quality of life upgrades
Real Stories
- Build timelines
- Lessons learned
- Things that went wrong (and right)
Want to Contribute?
Have you built your own home? We're always looking for real owner-builder stories. Email us: [email protected]
We're especially interested in:
- Unusual construction methods (ICF, SIPs, timber frame, etc.)
- Building in challenging environments (off-grid, extreme climates, difficult sites)
- Budget builds (under $150/sq ft all-in)
- Luxury owner-builds (high-end finishes, smart home, etc.)
- Disaster recovery and lessons learned
Subscribe for Updates
New posts published every two weeks. No spam, no affiliate links disguised as advice, just real information for owner-builders.
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Start Reading
Pick the post that speaks to where you are right now:
Planning stage: Start with How to Choose Land
Just got permits: Read First 30 Days
Financing questions: Check out Construction Loans
Nervous about mistakes: Don't miss Biggest Mistakes
Economic concerns: Read Is Owner-Building Right During a Recession
Shopping for tools: Jump to Tools I Wish I'd Bought Sooner
New posts added regularly. Last updated: November 2025