The House That Bush Ate!

tree-pruning-tools

This is "the house that bush ate" (in a booming, echoing voice). I firmly believe that tree pruning tools are in order for this job rather than your basic pruning shears. It is way past minor trimming and pruning. If you hadn't guessed already, this house is for sale (Kennesaw, GA). So, if you want a fixer-upper, this one qualifies. It's an old ranch-style home with a few outbuildings in a pretty nice location actually. What I don't understand is why the bank/real estate company hasn't … [Read more...]

When Is A Wall Of Living Room Windows Not A Good Idea? Ask Your Next-Door Neighbor

I am not able to freely walk in and out of homes under construction anymore due to the homebuilding bust a couple of years ago. Builders tend to keep them under lock and key to keep out thieves that are after appliances and copper.But one of the many things that I still can do is look at the exterior of homes, new and old alike, and gather ideas.  … [Read more...]

Double Hung Foyer Windows Make No Sense At All

It's been awhile since my last post of Dumb Homebuilding Ideas here on The Fun Times Guide To Home Building, so I'll double up on this one. I'll talk about: An HVAC vent in a small closet. Double hung windows in the top level of two-story foyers. It's been tough finding houses that are open or unlocked for the past 18 months due to the housing bust, but now home building construction is starting to pick up again. That means I'm able to find my way into houses more often, so every once … [Read more...]

Creative Ideas For An Oversized Garage

It's time that I posted another installment of Dumb Homebuilding Ideas here on The Fun Times Guide To Home Building. The topic for this "dumb idea" article is an huge, oversized garage with a very high ceiling. The ceiling in this garage has got to be 18 to 20 feet in height and probably 22'D x 32' W. The square footage is not the issue. It's the height (or cubic ft.). Why in the world would the builder construct a garage with a ceiling so high? And look at the placement of the … [Read more...]

How To Improve The Look Of A Concrete Retaining Wall

It's time for another installment of 'Dumb Homebuilding Ideas". Are you ready? This time I'm featuring an eyesore...I meant to say...a bare concrete retaining wall.  What is so especially dumb about concrete retaining walls? Nothing at all...unless the builder installs it squarely at the forefront of your property and doesn't bother to apply a stacked stone facade or apply a nice, thick coat of stucco to snaz it up so it doesn't have an institutional look to it.   … [Read more...]

A Subdivision And An Old Cemetery

Ready for another post on dumb homebuilding ideas? A reader wrote in recently asking about the "very, very creepy" thing that was smack dab in the middle of this great little new subdivision in Paulding County named Sweetwater Bridge that features Frank Betz-designed craftsman style homes. The reader's question is not a dumb one. It's what is within the neighborhood that qualifies this post as a dumb homebuilding idea. The "very, very creepy" in question is a very old … [Read more...]

The TwoDaLoo Double-Sided Toilet: Not For Me (Us)

Is there no limit to the level of stupidity of products that inventors come up with? Most likely not. Case in point...the TwoDaLoo.  Break it down by syllable and what you have is a double-sided toilet where you can chat it up with your mate while you both...'go'...at the exact same time...side-by-side...facing one another. Well intentioned as it may have been at that "Eureka" moment for the inventor, it's a bit unseemly for the general public, in my humble opinion.They say that … [Read more...]

Jack and Jill Bathroom Doors Require Space

Get ready for some more dumb homebuilding ideas to come your way. We've come across a few recently and here's another candidate. We think Jack and Jill bathrooms are a great feature to include in a home plan for the kids rooms...when there's room for it! Some of the best Jack and Jill plans we've seen always...always include double vanities, water closet with a door, tub/shower, linen closet and elbow room. I want to emphasize that last point...ELBOW ROOM! … [Read more...]

Designing A Bathroom Floor Plan? Use Common Sense

Holy crap! It's time for another dumb homebuilding idea post. I've posted a few other dumb homebuilder ideas in the past and this one stinks, too!It has to do with poor water closet plans.Let's take a peek inside of this water closet and you might just ask yourself...'what were they thinking???' … [Read more...]

Funny Home Fix-It Video Clips

They say that laughter is the best medicine. Funny DIY home fix-it videos always seem to make me laugh the most because I can relate. Commercials with a homeowner theme can be downright hilarious, as well. I know I'm not alone because there is video footage out there to prove it. Who hasn't stepped on a metal rake and gotten 'beaned' at least once? Funny to watch...not funny to have it happen to you. Slips, falls, bloopers, practical jokes and construction site goofs where no one … [Read more...]