New Build Design Hacks for Efficiency and Affordability

Affordable homes are hard to come by and Keith is building one for his client. Check out all the tips and tricks to make this home affordable.
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[tinoslaponi]

I absolutely love the content that Keith puts out. I love his concept of building in stages, and cash flowing as it comes. Our generation needs more of this advice if we ever want to own a home.

[AJ-oxxy]

As a HVAC technician and appliance mechanic. I love you. That mechanical room will make everything so much easier for installing and servicing equipment along with the rest of the home it impacts.

[albayer-bs]

The only caveat about having the mechanicals in between the two upstairs bedrooms is the noise of the heating/cooling system turning on and off while people are trying to sleep. It may seem like a small thing but can be very annoying. Make sure you plan to put in noise cancellation framing/insulation in that room.

[johnheath]

Most homes are built big, fast, and look like all the rest. Nice to see these architectural details and customization go into a small home. Great work!

[AaronHope_Sow]

This is going to be a gorgeous home Keith. You and your team really put a ton of thought and heart into these details to prioritize function and how people will actually inhabit the home. Please do a video once you have insulation in and talk about air sealing and ventilation strategy for this build.

[joshsmithward]

For an American home, this is pretty solid. I like your thoughtfulness about making best use of space for storage and utility purposes. Good consideration for aesthetics too. Keep it up.

[seank]

That's one of the cleanest build sites I've seen.

[clarencevogel]

To save space, what about putting the mechanical room below the slab, in a precast room, (like a septic tank)? cost around $2000 plus the digging, but you likely had the tractor there when putting in the slab, or digging the plumbing? 70 sq ft for about $3000 $45/ft. Just a thought.

[remoko]

love the various seating benches with informal opportunities to dwell. Thanks, Keith. Great ideas!

[MrHandyDad]

Great vid. lots of good idears here... Nice design, tight.
Love the creative use of "leftover spaces", so often overlooked in tract developments.

[solitairecat]

A full covered porch on the front would make it farmhouse style. Nice use of space in the design any raised ceiling does add a spacious feel.

[felixtrudel]

I love this video. I am just not a fan of the electrical box on an exterior wall ... I would much prefer the electrical box on an interior wall and not compromise my insulation

[Krazie-Ivan]

in addition to the added height boxed in around the attic access to keep cellulose from falling, i like to sandwich a few layers of EPS between drywall (lower) and sheathing (upper). a nice dense foam/rubber gasket around the edge helps finish off the energy improvements. a pair of large drawer handles on the underside gives you better control too.

[sparksmcgee]

My 2 cents as a builder.

Use a kerdi in the showers and foam blocks for the stool in the shower corner.

Get some blocking in those bathroom walls for handholds.

[RedemptionRoad]

SPpent the last 2 years DIY building my own home and now debt free as a result.

[coleydavis]

It’s funny that we consider a house that is 1500-1600sqft as a small or tiny house. Most people never use all the space in larger homes. It’s waste of money for building cost and for energy cost to heat and cool unused space. 1500-1600 is plenty of space for a family of 4.

[sam_fujiyama]

Great overview, really helpful to have you explain your reasoning from a framing perspective and how that translates to the finished benefits.

[Resto]

I love the design, now could some modifications be done to it? Or it's set as it is?

[rocktech]

That is a nice design. A cozy and efficient use of space. What kind of rough in material cost are you talking about?

[kinenebuna]

Who else wish for this man to build their home? Family of six here, we would love to build a small but sufficient home just like this!