Construction Planning

Construction planning sounds dull compared to swinging a sledge hammer at a wall, but it is far more important. Construction planning lets builders estimate and purchase the correct amount of tools and materials needed for the job at hand.

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Shotgun houses are modestly built and constructed in very close proximity to one another. Despite their simplicity, they are ornately decorated -- and culturally significant.

By Josh Clark

You may be sitting in your house this very second, but do you have any idea what it took to build it? From foundation to framing, these home construction pictures will show you the stages of building a house.

You meet with a contractor to go over the plans and budgets. He shows up to start the job, and he's got three different companies with him. So what are you paying him for?

By Heather Kolich

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Today's log cabins can come equipped with polished hardwood floors, great rooms, cathedral ceilings, picture windows, two-car garages, septic-tank plumbing, solar panels and floor plans of up to 5,000 square feet.

By Eleanor Duse

Pole barns are some of the simplest and cheapest structures to build. Do you have what it takes to construct your own?

By Richard Winter

Building stairs is a tough job, even if it's just a short porch staircase. You should attempt it only if you have carpentry experience and feel comfortable with the project.

By Sarah Siddons

Wheelchair ramps allow disabled people access to places they might not otherwise be able to go. Read up on how to build one safely and correctly.

By Simon Shadow

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Your garage is so packed with stuff that your car has to sit outside and get pummeled by the elements. A carport might be the solution to your problems.

By Chris Marlowe

You consider yourself a pretty good do-it-yourselfer. But now you're ready for a real test: grouting tile.

By Chris Marlowe

Your house is uncomfortably hot in the summer. And energy costs seem sky high and climbing. What can you do to beat the heat and ease spending? You may want to consider installing an attic vent.

By Vivien Bullen

If you have to get the buckets every time it rains, you should consider re-doing your roof. Installing a roof can be a job for pros, but if you want a challenge or a way to save some money, perhaps you'd like to try installing the roof yourself.

By Vivien Bullen

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Looking to add some light between two drab, dark rooms? Or maybe you like the openness of your patio doors but want something with more style than a basic sliding glass door? French door installation might be the perfect choice for your renovation.

By Sarah Siddons

If you have tile walls, or the bathroom's just starting to look dingy, you may want to install a fiberglass shower and tub surrounds. These are durable and easy to clean, and you may be able to handle the installation yourself.

By Vivien Bullen

You love your home, but you're getting a embarrassed about the condition of its exterior. The paint is peeling and flaking in some parts -- so much so that it looks like you're not taking care of your house. It might be time to consider vinyl siding.

By Rosalind Jackson

Investing in a newly built home is a large undertaking, both emotionally and financially. When dealing with a project of this magnitude, one of the first tasks you'll come across is creating the home's floor plan.

By Vivien Bullen

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Granite countertops don't come in the delightfully unnatural colors of 1960s orange or candy apple red, which is why many homeowners opt to install quartz in their kitchens. What else does quartz offer?

By Charles W. Bryant

Hiring a contractor can be similar to acquiring a brother in-law, except that when it comes to a contractor, you're the one who gets to do the choosing -- not your wayward little sister. What do you need to know before you hire one?

By Jessika Toothman & Kate Kershner

If you face the massive task of cleanup and decontamination after a flood strikes your house, you may be tempted to demolish the structure and start over from scratch.

By Jane McGrath

Driving up next to a limousine with dark tinted windows can make you wonder if there's an actor or athlete inside. While they're usually looking for privacy, the same tints are being applied to home windows -- but for very different reasons.

By Jessica Brown

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If you've installed a replacement door or two around your home, it seems pretty simple -- all it takes is tightening a couple of screws and you're done. Installing the largest door in your house, however, is not quite so simple.

By Sarah Siddons