Home Construction and Design

Deciding to design and build your dream home opens the door to an exciting new chapter. However, home construction and design require a practical approach that encompasses all of the moving parts and anticipates any potential challenges. Whether you're just diving in or needing advice for a particular phase of the project, you'll find what you need with our library of helpful resources, checklists, and cost guides.

A woman in sitting behind a desk
Photo: Getty Images 1210334452 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
A woman in sitting behind a desk
Photo: Getty Images 1210334452 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Explore top articles
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A single-storey wooden house
Dan Simms
•
May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
Modular homes are more affordable than stick-built homes, but by how much? Learn about modular home costs to see if they fall within your budget.
White house patio family table
Dan Simms
•
May 9, 2025
May 9, 2025
Dreaming of building your own home from the ground up? Learn how much it costs to build a house yourself and if it’s worth it to skip the pro on this project.
The exterior of a stone house
Scott Dylan Westerlund
•
Jan 6, 2025
Jan 6, 2025
The cost to build a stone house is pricey. Learn why you need specialized workers to build the house to a level that’s good enough for you and the city.
Luxury house with brick pool house
Lauren Bongard
•
Mar 15, 2024
Mar 15, 2024
What is a pool house? Here is what you should know about these small buildings that offer space for changing, showering, storage, entertainment, and more.
dad and son in kitchen
Catherine Hiles
•
Dec 12, 2024
Dec 12, 2024
Planning a home improvement? Learn which home improvements could lower your insurance rates for the highest ROI—and which could increase your premiums.
The exterior of a house on a bright day
Dan Simms
•
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
From early blueprints to the final coat of paint, how long does it take to build a house? Let's walk through what to expect from the home-building timeline.
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Vintage style living room with built-in blinds
C.E. Larusso  •  Jul 7, 2025
3 Common Problems of Patio Doors With Built-in Blinds—And Their Simple Solutions
Learn the 3 most common problems with patio doors featuring built-in blinds—and understand the quick, effective solutions to keep them working smoothly.
A house with a red brick wall
Xiao Faria daCunha  •  Jul 1, 2025
How to Tuckpoint Brick to Make Your Mortar Look Like New
You can hire a professional to fix a decaying brick wall, or you can save money and do it yourself by learning how to tuckpoint brick using the steps below.
A worker checking on a brick wall of a construction site
Xiao Faria daCunha  •  Jul 1, 2025
How to Hire the Best Masonry Contractor for Your Project
If your brick or stone wall needs repairing, then you need a brick masonry contractor to tackle the project. Hiring a mason for a project can feel daunting, but if you follow these tips you’ll know just what to do to find the perfect pro for you.
An outdoor fireplace
Timothy Moore  •  Jun 30, 2025
How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace: Step-by-Step Guide
If you don’t want to buy an outdoor fireplace kit or get a pro to install it, you may be able to do it yourself. Learn how to build a DIY outdoor fireplace.
The exterior of an exposed brick house
Kelly Weimert  •  Jun 27, 2025
What Is Repointing Brick? Everything You Need to Know
Everything you need to know about repointing brick: benefits, how it works, basic procedure, cost, and who to hire for the job.
A dining area and swimming pool
Timothy Moore  •  Jun 27, 2025
How to Repair a Brick Patio Yourself
Here are the steps to repair your brick patio—whether you need to re-level a sinking patio or replace missing mortar.
A beautiful red brick house
Timothy Moore  •  Jun 27, 2025
How Do You Clean Mortar off Bricks?
Learn how to clean mortar off bricks if you've noticed sloppy mortar stains that are outside the lines of your brickwork.
large bifold door panels
C.E. Larusso  •  Jun 26, 2025
5 Common Bifold Door Problems and How to Fix Them
Learn about the 5 most common bifold door problems and practical solutions to fix them—repair sticking, misalignment, broken tracks, and more.
Two story brick house
Xiao Faria daCunha  •  Jun 25, 2025
Black Stains on Brick: 5 Causes and Solutions
Learn about the five common causes behind black stains on your brick and how to remove them effectively, either by yourself or by hiring a pro.
Efflorescence on brick home exterior
Scott Dylan Westerlund  •  Jun 25, 2025
How to Remove Efflorescence From Brick in 4 Steps
If you have white staining on brick, it may be time to learn how to remove efflorescence from brick gently and safely without harsh ingredients.
Large brick house
Taylor Sansano  •  Jun 25, 2025
Who to Call to Repair Brick Veneer
Problems in your brick veneer can range from minor, cosmetic cracks to extensive, structural issues. Find out who to call to repair brick.
woman having coffee and using laptop in the kitchen
Timothy Moore  •  Jun 24, 2025
What Is Tuckpointing and When Is It Necessary?
If you’ve started researching how to update old brick or repair crumbling mortar, you may be wondering what tuckpointing is. This guide has you covered.