Independent Builder

Designing & Building a House Your Own Way

by Sam Clark

The most complete and easy-to-use house-building handbook available. With an emphasis on accessibility, ergonomics, and "pattern languages," this comprehensive manual of design, planning, and construction provides readers with the tools to build a home that will be beautiful and comfortable long into the new century.
Read More...
Facebook
[Post to Twitter] TweetThis

Sam Clark: Saving Costs When Building Your Own Home
Builder Sam Clark (Independent Builder: Designing & Building a House Your Own Way) explains how to construct and design a simple, affordable, energy efficient house, using solar power, native materials, and imagination. He takes us on a tour of how to envision what methods, techniques, and economic constraints make a home a warm, inviting, and unique place. He gives great tips on how to live well using less space, and combining ecological methods without the economic stresses of high cost projects that won't save you money in the long run. Instead, Clark provides us with helpful expertise on how to save money and build green.Here, Clark walks us through how to save on costs when building your home. Watch as he points out cost efficient methods such as coordinating trim into every room to tie details together—a cheap yet visually important technique. He points out the benefits of porches as inexpensive space to make a house seem larger, and to create visual interest. Positioning walk-outs and windows towards morning and afternoon light is an inexpensive way to create a feeling of grandeur, and sheetrocking methods can make ceilings look larger without the added cost of raising them. Contrary to what one might think, Clark feels that economic constraints make building a house better, as it limits one’s imagination and focuses. Learn how to salvage local materials and make the most of what you have.