Build Your House Yourself University

Michelle Nelson
  • 4.8 (395)
  • DESIGN
Build Your House Yourself University

Wish you knew more about the biggest investment you will most likely ever make? Build Your House Yourself University (byhyu) will teach you to save money and make smart decisions about the construction of the place you and your family will call HOME. We will help you understand residential construction— simplify and demystify the design build process. You’ll come away with successful strategies for building your own house, with or without a general contractor. Become an educated consumer, even if you prefer to buy, rather than build a new house. Complex construction jargon and best practices will be explained in easy to understand terms. It’s not the typical DIY (do it yourself) show. You will learn how to MANAGE the labor, not DO the labor for your new house. Join me, Michelle Nelson, host and fellow informal residential construction student. I’ll share the research I find on home design and building as I prepare to build my home. Together, our community of future home builders, will learn the tips, tricks and trends of experienced contractors and industry experts. I’ll interview owner-builders and construction professionals. During our mini lessons, I’ll inform you about framing, flooring, windows, insulation, kitchen cabinets and countertops…almost anything having to do with new construction homes. You’ll hear about energy efficiency and green building too. There will be product reviews in which you will be introduced to cutting edge, as well as, tried and true products and services. And in keeping with the university theme, episodes will end with short, fun quizzes. If we do our due diligence BEFORE we start construction, we will actually start construction with the most difficult part of the project behind us. Let’s put in the time, effort, preparation and research BEFORE we break ground and building our homes will be much easier and more enjoyable.

  1. 01/04/2023

    Homeowner Matthew S. Discusses His New Custom Home Designed For Entertaining, Part 2

    This week we have part 2 of the interview with homeowner Matt S.  He talks more about his cool house, which is black by the way, and his homebuilding journey.  He was so generous in sharing his advice and resources.  Take a listen to this informative conversation.  Show notes at BYHYU.com

    27 min
  2. Homeowner Matthew S. Discusses His New Custom Home Designed For Entertaining, Part 1

    12/21/2022

    Homeowner Matthew S. Discusses His New Custom Home Designed For Entertaining, Part 1

    Matt went back to the neighborhood he grew up in and built a house perfect for entertaining.  In this first part of the interview, he talks about his very practical floor plan that has lots of space for hosting friends and family.  He tells us about some really unique design ideas and gives great advice about communicating with contractors.  This is a really helpful conversation.  Show notes at BYHYU.com

    36 min
  3. Homeowner Rachel D. Tells Us About Her Homebuilding Journey, Part 2

    11/23/2022

    Homeowner Rachel D. Tells Us About Her Homebuilding Journey, Part 2

    This week we have Part 2 of our interview with Rachel.  She’s a homeowner working with a general contractor and they’re finishing up a custom build in Ohio.  This week Rachel talks more about her homebuilding journey, what she would do differently if she were to build again, and the best thing about building a custom home.   If you or someone know would like to share your homebuilding experience on the podcast, please email me at Michelle@byhyu.com Show notes  at www.BYHYU.com

    23 min

  4. 11/17/2022

    259. Homeowner Rachel D. Tells Us About Her Homebuilding Journey, Part 1

    Homeowner Rachel D tells us about the challenges and triumphs she's had along her homebuilding journey.  She discusses how the pandemic has affected her build, what resources she's used to help her through the design-build process and where she's found some of her design inspiration and fixtures.   See photos of Rachel's home in the shownotes at BYHYU.com

    27 min
  5. Bedroom Furniture and Layout Tips

    10/05/2022

    Bedroom Furniture and Layout Tips

    Several weeks ago in episode 254 called Furniture Layout and Space Planning I gave some guidelines about furniture placement and how to best layout your rooms to achieve functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that have good flow.  After listening back to that episode though, I realized, I didn’t talk much about bedrooms. So that’s what we’ll discuss in this episode— space planning and layout rules specifically for bedrooms. Show notes at BYHYU.com

    20 min
  6. What’s The Best Roofing Material For Your House? — BEST OF BYHYU 257

    08/10/2022

    What’s The Best Roofing Material For Your House? — BEST OF BYHYU 257

    This week’s episode is a replay of the one that I did years ago. The information is still relevant, but the pricing that I mentioned in the episode has likely changed given the current economy and today’s consumer demand for construction materials and supply chain challenges. I’ll discuss the 6 most popular types of roofing materials on the market, including my favorite, metal roofs. Make sure you follow the show so when I record my latest construction update and other new content, the show will automatically be sent to your email or podcast library as soon as it is released. You can follow us through the podcast platform you use. Or, if you want episodes along with the show notes and relevant photos to go to your email inbox, you can subscribe through the BYHYU.com website. SHOW NOTES at BYHYU.com

    21 min
  7. Keeping Your House Cool, Inside and Out: BEST OF BYHYU 256

    07/13/2022

    Keeping Your House Cool, Inside and Out: BEST OF BYHYU 256

    Given the heat wave that’s sweeping a lot of the country right now, I wanted to remind myself of some of the information from a previous episode called Keeping Your House Cool, Inside and Out.I thought it might also be helpful for you to revisit that mini-lesson too, to make sure you are considering some of those cooling solutions as you are planning your home design. But before we get into the show, I’ll share a bit of my first-hand experience with some of the products you’ll hear about in the podcast. Show notes at BYHYU.com

    24 min
  8. Choosing the Best Freestanding Tub for Your Style, Budget and Needs

    06/22/2022

    Choosing the Best Freestanding Tub for Your Style, Budget and Needs

    Even if you’re not a tub person you should strongly consider adding a bathtub somewhere in your new home.  You may never intend to use the tub yourself, but it’s nice having a tub available for bath-loving guests, for bathing children and grandchildren, and for grooming pets.    Many homeowners include a tub in their primary bathroom not only for practical, utilitarian reasons but also for aesthetics.  Freestanding tubs continue to be an extremely popular choice primarily because of aesthetics.  Freestanding tubs are thought of as sculptural showpieces and increase the perceived value of the home.  In this episode, you’ll get information that will help you choose the right freestanding tub for your new home.  SHOW NOTES at BYHYU.com

    18 min
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4.8
out of 5
395 Ratings

About

Wish you knew more about the biggest investment you will most likely ever make? Build Your House Yourself University (byhyu) will teach you to save money and make smart decisions about the construction of the place you and your family will call HOME. We will help you understand residential construction— simplify and demystify the design build process. You’ll come away with successful strategies for building your own house, with or without a general contractor. Become an educated consumer, even if you prefer to buy, rather than build a new house. Complex construction jargon and best practices will be explained in easy to understand terms. It’s not the typical DIY (do it yourself) show. You will learn how to MANAGE the labor, not DO the labor for your new house. Join me, Michelle Nelson, host and fellow informal residential construction student. I’ll share the research I find on home design and building as I prepare to build my home. Together, our community of future home builders, will learn the tips, tricks and trends of experienced contractors and industry experts. I’ll interview owner-builders and construction professionals. During our mini lessons, I’ll inform you about framing, flooring, windows, insulation, kitchen cabinets and countertops…almost anything having to do with new construction homes. You’ll hear about energy efficiency and green building too. There will be product reviews in which you will be introduced to cutting edge, as well as, tried and true products and services. And in keeping with the university theme, episodes will end with short, fun quizzes. If we do our due diligence BEFORE we start construction, we will actually start construction with the most difficult part of the project behind us. Let’s put in the time, effort, preparation and research BEFORE we break ground and building our homes will be much easier and more enjoyable.

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