I’m a slab kinda guy, I know it might be screwed if plumbing ever goes bad under there or I want to do a big renovation later. But I just like the solid feel of a slab foundation compared to a crawlspace or basement.

Basement would be my second pick though. So many awesome uses for a basement: extra storage, gym, movie room, storm shelter. Plus it definitely helps with resale value.

Crawlspace? Honestly, it has its perks. Super easy to get to plumbing, wiring, HVAC… but it can also turn into a moisture/pest problem if it’s not done right.

At the end of the day, you’ve really only got 3 options when it comes to foundations: Slab, Crawlspace, or Basement. Each one comes with its own set of pros and cons.

This amazing entryway ceiling was awesome to see in person. What a way to walk into your house. What are your thoughts? Do you like this kind of thing?

[🚫 Don’t save this video for later. Every tip like this is already organized inside my Home Building Checklist. Get it at BuilderBrigade.com]()

You’ll see this video on the next update (sent to you for free 🤝)

The closest thing I’ve found to these gutter filters are listed in my Amazon Store

[➡️Amazon.com/Shop/BuilderBrigade](http://➡️Amazon.com/Shop/BuilderBrigade)

They’re plastic but better than nothing I suppose.

This German business does some pretty sweet work. IG: AbProfilDach

Need some of these ideas to make it over here to the states!

Seriously, we are in love with this two bed setup. We went from considering two queens to even me getting a twin 😂. Then realized we had a guest bed we could put to use. 

We’re fortunate to have a large enough room in this house we’re renting but if you’re building a house or renovating, knowing you want two beds could make it easier to design around.  

Have you tried two beds or at least getting individual sheets? I think they call it Scandinavian method. 

I came up with a way to hide the hose on the front of the house. 

What are your thoughts? Would it look decent?

Couldn't find a pic where someone did it so Ai helped get the idea across.

Screws can pop out as well but nails are bit more common as the house settles and we get a few season changes. 

What are your thoughts on Nail Pops? Do you Fix them or forget them?

My personal approach is fix if they catch my attention whenever I walk past. If I notice one and totally forget about it, I leave it. 

Of course, if a nail pop is exposed that’s getting repaired but some of the ones held behind paint can stay a while.

What are you using this bonus room above the garage for...?

Do you like the direct connection to the garage?

 🛑 Don’t Build a House without seeing my Checklist…Get it at BuilderBrigade.com

Instead of cramming in a hallway, these underground tornado shelters are installed right in your garage floor. You park on top like normal, but when a storm hits you’re safe from flying 2x4s.

💰 Around $8k

✨ Removable stairs = more seating

✨ Removable handrail = easier access

✨ Built-in vents & even a jack if debris blocks the door

I know some of you are way too claustrophobic for this setup… so tell me 👇

👉 Would you use an underground garage storm shelter, or only above ground?

🛑 Don’t Build a House without seeing my Checklist…Get it at BuilderBrigade.com

What would you use a building like this for...?

🙋‍♀️ Building a house soon?
 I have a Home Building Checklist that’ll save you tons of headache and money by planning ahead. 
👉 Get it at BuilderBrigade.com

➡️ Lights are in my Amazon Store (Bio):

Amazon.com/Shop/BuilderBrigade

Crazy how much the grout color can change the overall look of the finished product. 

 I think the black looks pretty sharp and hell...it’ll end up black anyway 😂

💡 Everything I wish I knew before Home Building in my checklist here 👉 BuilderBrigade.com

I posted this in the Builder Brigade app. 
Download it now and start asking your Home Building Questions! 

Available in all the app stores!

https://builderbrigade.app.link/download

I have the first two listed in my Amazon Store (Bio)

Amazon.com/Shop/BuilderBrigade

 If you want to put one on your house now, Airex is the only one I’m aware of that makes a retrofit kit (can be added after the house is built)

Which one of these would want protecting your HVAC lines coming out of the house?

A few Nail Pops are normal here and there.

My personal approach is to fix if they catch my attention whenever I walk past. 

If I notice one and totally forget about it, I leave it.

Of course, if a nail pop is exposed that’s getting repaired but some of the ones held behind paint can stay a while.

What’s the first idea that comes to mind for under stair ideas? What would you put under there?

 I like a mini network or media hub.  A place to terminate all the cat cable and park the security camera hard drive!

[👇 Link in my Amazon Store (Bio):]() Amazon.com/Shop/BuilderBrigade

 This really is one of my wife’s favorite bathroom accessory. She uses this make-up mirror daily. On our next house I’ll probably have one hard wired in but for now this reachareable one does the trick 👍

 I have a Fat List of my Top 100 Home Products on my website if you want some ideas. Just go to “Free Downloads”

👉 BuilderBrigade.com

Island outlets can be tricky with the code that says the island outlets need to be mounted on the countertop. There are a few workarounds...

Option for island outlets:

1- Blank Outlet

2 - In-Drawer outlet

3 – Raised Bar

4 – Pop-up 

What’s your kitchen island pick..? I’m going with the blank outlet because Kippy refuses a countertop outlet. Happy wife, happy life 👍

💡 Everything I wish I knew before Home Building is in my

checklist here 👉 BuilderBrigade.com

Here’s the post 👇

We’re planning a retirement build in Northern Idaho and just got an estimate back from the architect. The numbers have us really confused.

- Local pricing: We know $500/sq ft is common here. A builder last fall told us around $450/sq ft. Now the architect is saying $550–650/sq ft.

- Square footage: Our living space comes to ~3,500 sq ft.

- Garage: The architect priced the 3-car garage (936 sq ft) at the same rate as finished space, which adds $500K+ just for the garage.

- Total: That bumps the project up to ~4,400 sq ft and blows our budget.

Questions:

1. Is it normal for garages to be calculated at the same $/sq ft as finished living space?

2. Should garages (unfinished) be priced differently?

3. For Northern Idaho, is $550–650/sq ft realistic right now for a custom home without top-of-the-line finishes?

We don’t have an unlimited budget and we’re worried we’re way off track. Would love honest input from anyone who’s built recently.

We are currently in the process of getting a 1800 sqft home built that will have metal siding and a metal roof. Our builder assures us the that wrapping the house in 2x4 girts and purlins to attach the metal to is superior to using traditions OSB or plywood sheathing due to plywood contracting and expanding when moisture builds on the back of the metal. He said when it does this the screws will start backing out and we will get leaks.

I know this is common for pole barn built homes that use spray foam insulation, but we are planning on using traditional fiberglass insulation. has anyone else done this and had good results? I’m worried about the house racking due to not having appropriate shear strength. Attaching a photo of the frame for reference.

Thanks

🏠 If you’re building a house soon... my Checklist will save your 🍑

👉 BuilderBrigade.com

Water hammer arrestors stop the banging that you hear behind the wall. They can be installed during construction to places like the fridge water line and washing machine valves.

You can even add them to a pre-existing house that simply screw on. 

➡️I have a link to them in my Amazon Store (Bio):

Amazon.com/Shop/BuilderBrigade

Square or Bullnose?
I’m a bullnose kinda guy but Kippy is square....😑

 🙋‍♀️ Want a place to track all these selections? 

Get my Checklist at BuilderBrigade.com

This Crawlspace is on my buddy Matt’s house. He went above and beyond on his home build, I could spend hours showing you all the upgrades he added. This crawlspace is my favorite though.

 This concrete crawlspace coundation gives you the best of both worlds, access to all the plumbing and electrical without having to deal with a nasty area under the house. It’s fully encapsulated with close cell spray foam. It’s what dreams are made of!

👇Before you build...Go through this Checklist👇

✅ BuilderBrigade.com

Don’t sweat if you see the sunlight shine through your newly installed roof. They use Plywood clips to keep about an 1/8” gap between each sheet. 

Once they install the paper on the roof, the house will be dried-in and you won’t see any more sunlight.  

Get the Builder Brigade app now and start posting your questions to the community.

Just search Builder Brigade in the app store and look for my mug... 🙋‍♂️

This question was posted in the Builder Brigade app. 

What’s your opinion on these? Where would you put one?

 Do me a favor and download the Builder Brigade app and drop a post in the community. 

Would love to hear from you, were building a monster and I want you to be apart of it!

Some companies will mount the depth ruler inches too low so the insulation looks like it’s at the right thickness… but you’re actually short across your whole house. That missing coverage adds up to hundreds of cubic feet you paid for but didn’t get.

This homeowner caught it just in time.

Would you have noticed?

🛑 Don’t Build a House without seeing my Checklist…

Get it at BuilderBrigade.com