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
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From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
 A large metal barndominium with a patio set and propane fireplace outside the front door
Apr 14, 2025
Apr 14, 2025
If home is where the barn is, a barndominium may be the dream house you’ve been looking for. Here are all the details you need to know about barndominium costs.
big red barn on a farm
Nov 25, 2024
Nov 25, 2024
Building a barn is a great way to add on to your property. Read this guide to find out everything you need to know about the costs to build a barn.
fenced backyard with small shed
Jan 8, 2025
Jan 8, 2025
If your shed has seen better days, it may be time to fix it up. So, how much does a typical shed repair cost? Here’s what you can expect to spend.
beautiful kitchen in new luxury home with large island, pendant lights, and hardwood floors. Shows dining area and living room
Dec 2, 2024
Dec 2, 2024
Home makeovers are challenging. A renovation consultant can help take the stress out of your next remodeling project.
engineers looking at blueprint
Feb 22, 2025
Feb 22, 2025
Consider these questions when building a custom home. Your answers can help you determine who should build your dream home, one brick at a time.
new blue home in the neighborhood
Dec 12, 2024
Dec 12, 2024
Whether you hire a pro or do it yourself, building a house has many challenges. Here are the biggest mistakes to avoid when building a new house.
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Vintage style living room with built-in blinds
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.