FREE House Blueprints And Home Renovation Tips

Book Download

Would you like to download the definitive guide to home improvement?
Click Here to download the printable PDF version

Free Chapters

1. Building a house
2. Selecting the lot
3. Build a House
4. House Plan
4a. House Plan (II)
5. Kitchen Plan
5a. Kitchen Plan (II)
6. Drawing plans
7. Financing
8. Quality House?
9. Getting it built
10. Construction Tools
11. Basement
12. Materials
13. Slab building
14. Stake out
15. Building permits
16. Excavation
17. Foundation
18. Good concrete
19. Framing
20. Room framing
21. Cornices
22. Roof coverings
23. Wood Floors
24. Heating systems
25. Plumbing
26. Wiring
27. Painting

Resources

Home Improvement

Suggest an Article

Haven't found the article you are looking for? Please
suggest your article. We value all your suggestions and comments.

Home Improvement Tip

"When re-doing your bedroom start with the basics, make sure your bedroom furniture matches in stain and material. After that, you can move on to more complex interior decorating."

Learn How To Build Your Own House Using Our FREE Easy To Follow House Blueprints!

From the desk of: Russell Freeman

Fellow Builder

I set this website up because I love all aspects of building and design, particularly house blueprints. However, I hate the exclusive, snobby attitude that some architects have. A well designed house should be accessible to everyone. That’s why I want to share my house building secrets with as many people as possible.

Since you’ve found this website I’m assuming you love house building as much as I do. The truth is, I’m always on the internet looking for house blueprints and building tips. While doing some research, I stumbled upon a fantastic manuscript by Mr Henry Russell Emmerson.

Mr Emmerson - Professor Of Architectural Engineering, La Sierra College - is one of the most well known and respected builders in recent history.

I noticed that most of his work was available online with the exception of one of the most important pieces of work, ‘How To Build A House’. Even though it was first published in 1962, this book has the best house building information I have ever seen.

In the 14 chapters here’s just a snippet of what is covered:

• What to look for when selecting a lot to build your new house on
• How to choose the best utilities— gas or electricity, solar or not
• Tips and tricks to pick the best view
• Considering your budget for a block and knowing where to look
• Recognizing hidden traps to make sure you’re getting a clear title
• Positioning your house to utilize the weather and reduce electricity bills
• Planning your home for your desired comfort and livability
• How to create optimum space for your family and pets

If this is the kind of information that you have been looking for, here’s the good news…

I have contacted the original copyright owners and gained permission to republish Mr Henry Russell Emmerson’s complete work on this website. Although I had to pay to have the manuscript reformatted and published online, house blueprints are my passion. Therefore, I want to share this book with as many people as possible for free.

The information is second to none and you’ll soon have a beautiful and functional house that will be the envy of your neighbours.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Cheers and Happy Building

Russell Freeman

Click Here To Get Started!

Featured Video

House Blueprint News And Articles

Choosing the Right Home Building Style For You
After you've made the decision to build a new home the style of your home builder must be determined. Depending on your area the names and definitions of these styles of builders may be slightly different however the main points will be pretty similar. While most home builders will fall more or less into one of the categories below be aware that there will be niche builders in all categories. For example you may find a volume builder dedicated to green building practices, or a custom home builder specializing in homes over 8,000 square feet. Overall there are four main styles of home building.

The Beauty of a Construction Site
Something that architects and contractors take for granted but that homeowners rarely experience, is the construction site. When it is your house being built or added onto, I recommend that you spend as much time as possible with the "insides" of the place where you will be living.

Practical Considerations When Building a House
Of course, a lot of people dream about building their own home. And while you may not design the actual layout yourself, you can certainly give the architect ideas about what you want the finished design to look like.

Walking a Home Site
With over 40 years in the business of building custom homes I like to think I've seen it all. My first interaction with someone that is looking to build a home is usually when they are in the process of looking at lots or land to build on. Very often, as the builder, I'm consulted on the clients lot choice and enjoy helping them evaluate different home sites. And once in a while I still get surprised!

Starting Your Search For a Home Site
You've decided that you are going to buy a lot to build a future home on! It's a great time and can be a lot of fun. However, to make your search, and your life, a bit less stressful and frustrating, do one simple thing before you jump in the car!

Navigational Shortcuts:

Build a House | House Plan | Kitchen Plan | Construction Tools | Basement