Building with Confidence
Get practical guidance and clear advice on designing, building, or renovating your home—straight from a licensed architect. The Building with Confidence newsletter delivers smart tips, tools, and resources to help you make informed decisions every step of the way.
How to Break Down a Contractor’s Bid Like a Pro
Thinking about building or renovating your home? Before you hire a contractor, make sure you know how to read their bid like a pro. This guide breaks down the most common red flags—vague allowances, missing line items, and inflated costs—so you can compare bids with confidence and avoid expensive surprises. Perfect for first-time homeowners and seasoned renovators alike.
What No One Tells You About Renovation Budgets (Until It’s Too Late)
Renovation budgets don’t explode all at once—they unravel in quiet, predictable ways. From misleading square foot estimates to hidden soft costs, here are five budget traps that catch homeowners off guard—and how to avoid them with confidence.
Before You Build: 5 Expert Tips Every Homeowner Should Know Before Starting a Custom Home
Designing your dream home? These 5 lessons from a licensed architect reveal the real process behind custom homebuilding—what most people get wrong, what it really costs, and how to stay in control from day one.