Most builders have the cabinets installed first if they are using laminate flooring, but I decided not to. The reasons for installing cabinets first are to save costs on flooring that you will never see or step foot on, and …

Step 28 – Install Cabinets Read more »

The beautiful efficiency of a heat pump can not only be used to heat the house, but also to heat the water. A heat pump water heater is the most efficient type of water heater on the market today. One …

Step 25b – Install the Heat Pump Water Heater Read more »

There are certain parts of home construction that are tedious and time consuming and can take days or weeks of work with little to show for the hours of labor. On the flip side of that, there are parts that …

Step 27 – Flooring Read more »

The top of the spiral staircase is finished off with a wooden newel and ballusters were placed all around the perimeter of the landing. Again, it is important to notch the ballusters so they lock into the landing, and also …

Step 26c – Complete Top Railing and Apply Clear Coat Read more »

With the treads in place, it was time to attach the ballusters and railing. The ballusters are made from 2×2’s with small notches routed out of them so they lock in between the treads and ensure each of the treads …

Step 26b – Build the Railing Read more »

Although the plans called for hardwood, I decided to cut costs and construct the treads from spruce 2×6’s. I contacted someone who had used the same plans who had also used softwood and he was really happy with how they …

Step 26a – Build the Treads Read more »

I think my fascination with spiral staircases stems from my love of efficiency. With a standard staircase, there is a ton of wasted space on both floors. For example, with 8 foot walls, the steepest straight staircase allowable by building …

Step 26 – Build a Spiral Staircase Read more »

One of the things I was most excited about, yet also most apprehensive about, was installation of the heat pump. Installation of refrigerant systems like AC units and heat pumps is a delicate process and requires quite a few expensive …

Step 25- Install the Heating Appliances Read more »

Now that the interior walls are finished, I can start attaching things to the walls like light fixtures, switches, plumbing fixtures, appliances, etc. In order for them to work, I need to connect electricity, water, and septic to the house. …

Step 24 – Connect Utilities Read more »

I was now finally ready to complete the finishing touches on the interior walls. There is a good reason that most owner/builders don’t do their own drywall. It is a marathon! By the time I was done I had gone …

Step 23e – Apply Skim Coat, Primer, and Paint Read more »