A good definition of the worth of your home was a definition taught in a local real estate training school.

`The value of a home is measured in money not boats etc. The value is the amount of money a ready, willing and able buyer will pay for it.'

When building your dream home, keep in mind there are some minus elements you could add as well as plus elements. This is your home; you are that ready, able and willing buyer.

You will probably want to get the best price on your construction that you can.

Some people have made a habit of recycling many building items. They go to houses being demolished, and get used brick. They watch for lawn mowing companies and get old usable bark, or to the city dump for mulch, etc. Sometimes used 2 x 4's can be used to frame for drywall for a garage.

Yard sales can turn up usable doors, windows, insulation left over, etc. Many paint stores get buckets of paint returned as being the wrong color. Even churches and civic clubs have paint left over that could be enough for a bathroom, etc.

A rental shed in a local storage strip could be a place to put all of your treasures from all these sources. Scavenging for materials could take a couple years but if this is your style of obtaining lumber etc. it can work for you.

If you are a skilled `do it yourself' person, you may know enough to piece together a kitchen, a bathroom, etc. However it would probably be the best course to go to the lumber and hardware store and watch all the videos you can get your hands on.

Take advantage of the skills and helpfulness of friends and family members as well as your co-workers.

It is imperative that you do not leave out basic like concrete under tiles, or sealant and green drywall behind the kitchen sink. If these items and other precautionary steps are left out, you can have bad issues of sewer smells in the bathroom and kitchen also. This sewer gas can make you and your family very sick.

Many items can be made from recycled items. So many people are so busy just earning money for rent and utilities; they cannot realize their dream of building a home on a shoestring.

Investing in some energy saving efficient items can help save on gas and electric bills. Another major savings can come as a result of your choices to save, not spend.
Conserving energy conserves time.

Also little savings like using incandescent light bulbs saves money and energy. Weather stripping around windows and doors will pay for itself in more comfort and lower power bills.

Most people make enough money to pay off their home in a few years. However they waste their earnings on interest payments, high utility bills, garbage bags, and other disposable items.

A young employed family might buy the house costing half of the price and size and style they want. Then they pay it off in 9 years not 30. Then they could sell it for the o price it is worth 9 years later, and take that check to buy the house they really want with a whopping down payment, prepaying some points, and get a lower interest rate. The 2nd house has a low enough payment to start saving for retirement etc. These tips for finding deals on raw materials for home construction should make your job easier.