We've never built a home before. Help us not look or act like n00bs! [more inside]
posted by Aleen on Dec 21, 2009 - 14 answers

After noticing some small cracks on the interior walls of one room, I went outside and saw several HUGE zig-zag cracks have appeared between the bricks at the back corner of my house. All the indications of a bad case of subsidence. Time to panic; the house is now worthless! What are my options? [more inside]
posted by moorooka on Nov 21, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm going to be building a modest split-level home this spring – 1900 sqft – in Madison, WI. Should I expect the cost of materials to be lower or higher than it was to build the exact same house 6 months ago? [more inside]
posted by BirdD0g on Apr 22, 2008 - 10 answers

I want to build a house: 1,500 sq.ft., passive solar/energy efficient features, $100,000 - possible? [more inside]
posted by raikkohamilonso on Mar 7, 2008 - 25 answers

Is Habitat for Humanity fun? How does living (or not living) in the volunteer housing affect the experience? Tell me about your experiences...
posted by shivohum on Sep 29, 2006 - 13 answers

I bumped into my neighbour the other day and he asked to meet with us and his neighbours on the other side. Apparently it is a legal requirement in Ontario that when you undertake serious renovations that you discuss it with the neighbours. So I asked him what he planned on doing. His response: we're going to demolish the existing house and build a new one. [more inside]
posted by mikel on Jul 8, 2006 - 16 answers

Can anyone recommend a good contractor / home builder in the Boston / Metrowest area? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Apr 25, 2006 - 6 answers

What are some advantages and disadvantages of buying a newly built home? [more inside]
posted by ND¢ on Feb 2, 2006 - 19 answers

Is it cheaper to buy a house or build one from scratch? [more inside]
posted by designbot on Nov 14, 2005 - 18 answers

What causes houses to "beat"? It's very windy here in St. Louis today, and every time the wind really kicks up, I hear a distinct "hoom, hoom, hoom", at a frequency of about one per second. When I was a kid, i thought it was the spinning vents in the attic, by the house I live in now doesn't have those. Spurred by this thread on beat frequencies, I thought I'd pose the question to the AskMe hive.
posted by notsnot on Mar 20, 2004 - 13 answers