I'm so excited about this episode!  I interview Mark Smith, author of the Owner Builder Book, which I consider required reading for anyone serious about building their own home and acting as the general contractor.   Mark and I discuss why being an owner builder is such an incredible wealth building strategy and how you can maximize your cost savings and hence drastically increase your net worth.

Mark also gives some awesome tips and insights into planning your budget and schedule, how to find and hire great subcontractors, and where to find the best bargains on all the things you'll need to complete your custom dream home!

If you listen to only one episode of the DIY Home Builder Podcast, this is the one to catch!  Truly inspiring and packed with useful information.

DIYHB E05: Interview With Mark Smith, Author of The Owner Builder Book

Welcome to the DIY Home Builder Podcast! This show is dedicated to the intrepid Owner-Builder.  That rare breed of individual who shucks convention and embarks on a journey to build their home acting as the general contractor. Listen in as we interview other owner builders, industry professionals and our friends and family, to share their stories and insights regarding building houses. 

There are a million reasons why you might want to build your own home. The pride of creating something with your own hands, the flexibility to design what you really want, the opportunity to learn new skills and trades – the list goes on! 

For many of us though, one important reason is to be able to have a custom home that we can actually afford. Building it yourself can save you 25% (or more) off the cost to buy an equivalent home or have someone else build it for you. However there is definitely a learning curve when it comes to knowing how to capitalize on those cost savings.  This podcast and its accompanying website were created to help flatten that learning curve and give you the tools, resources and knowledge necessary to start you on your journey to building your dream home. 

Whether you are acting as your own contractor and hiring subs or doing the labor yourself, we’ll take you from start to finish on managing a new build; from securing a construction loan to scheduling and sourcing materials and ultimately building on your future.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

Doug Summerfield is an Air Force veteran and has worked in the mechanical contracting trade for over 48 years, but more importantly, he's also an owner-builder!  Listen in as Doug and I dissect the anatomy of his 7300+ square foot owner built home.  Doug walks us through step by step the design decisions he made, and how dealing with severe asthma forced him to design his home for fully handicap and wheelchair access.  

Doug also discusses his partial tear down due to faulty concrete and dealing with the ensuing law suit!  

You can find Doug on Amazon and at his website, http://www.fantasyworkshop.net

Tons of great advice, tips and tricks packed into this episode, and Doug is funny to boot!   Not one to be missed.  Enjoy.

DIYHB E06:  Dissecting the Anatomy of a 7300+ sq/ft Home Build with Doug Summerfield

Today I am so excited to be joined by my Mother-in-Law, Carolyn Brodin, who managed EECC Fine Home Builders, LLC for 35 years. In this episode, Carolyn pulls the curtain back on what a successful home build project looks like from the perspective of a professional contractor and builder.

Listen in to learn how to manage the design phase so that it doesn't drag on forever, and stay within your budget by being honest and upfront with yourself about what is truly important for you in the design and construction of your owner-built home.

Public Apology: Ok, I admit it, I'm a dolt. I mispronounced my wife's family name THREE times in this episode (my Father-in-Law is gonna kill me)!  In my defense though, I did pronounce it like it's spelled (Brodin), when it should be pronounced Brodin(e). So there's my back-handed apology :).

DIYHB E04: Managing the Design Phase to Stay within Your Budget with Carolyn Brodin

DIY Home Builder | Be Inspired! | Learn how to build your dream home and your net worth!

DIYHB E05: Interview With Mark Smith, Author of The Owner Builder Book

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