Hello! Been looking at a lot of the programs that seem to be available for rebates - energy grants etc... they all seem to be geared to retrofits - -not new home build. Anyone familiar with some for building a new home -- better insul, windows, mechanical etc

I started this group many months ago with the intention of it being a simple place to go to understand whether or not building your own home was feasible for you. My intention was that, if it was feasible to build, I would be building out the perfect solution to help you manage your first build with a full video library I had been working on from a real build over a period of 9 months. What I have found so far is that people need far more help with budgeting and feasibility analysis than I first anticipated. At first I thought most of the help people would need would be on the technical and logistical side of actually being in charge of the building process, but I see now that a high level of help is needed from day one. With all that being said, I know that in order to actually help everyone in here move forward meaningfully, I would have to start hosting at least weekly calls, and pulling in more resources, experts, templates ect for people to follow. In order to be able to set aside the time required to do this, I would need the time invested in these activities to produce some revenue to offset the time away from my regular business. I am currently in the middle of considering whether it is best to: a) Leave this as a free group in its current format, more or less user driven without much direct guidance. b) Start to charge some kind of a monthly fee for remaining in the group, but include more direct coaching and continue to build out the video lesson library. c) Start a second group aimed only at the most serious owner builder/ first time builders at a higher one time fee to provide a high level of direct support and consulting. Please take a moment to fill out the survey below, and feel free to chime in with comments or shoot me a DM if you have further thoughts on this topic. Regards, Mitch

Hello, first and foremost thanks Mitch and your team for creating this fantastic program. A little about me, Machinist/CNC Programmer/Cad draftsman last 22 years. I've done automotive, aerospace, millwork (cabinetry/commercial/residential) ran a stair and handrail company for 14 years (Bolton Railings) All CNC and 5 axis machining. Before I was a gas fitter2 and licensed sheet metal mechanic in mostly new home builds in the mid 80s to late 90s. Rough in to full installs production homes to 5000sf custom. Service work in the winter to help pay the bills. Worked mostly in Vaughan/Woodbridge/Newmarket areas. Last 20 years or so I've renovated my cottage last home and built lots of decks/docks/ sheds/ saunas/ and various other outdoor projects for both myself and customers with my part time side business while working a full time job. I'm by no way a red seal carpenter but do some pretty nice stuff, have been lucky enough to work with some very talented people over the years that taught me a lot. That brings us to COVID!!!! Sold my house in Schomberg Ontario, moved to the 4 season 1100sq cottage on Sturgeon lake in the Kawarthas I had, bought a house right away in the Kawarthas and fixed it up. Had a job as a programmer when I moved for a while then they shut down. Sold the cottage 2nd year of Covid and made out like a bandit. Pulled out my DZ ticket and started driving for a major road building company seasonal, and Home Hardware in the winter. WIN WIN Currently in process of separating from the wife of way too may years and selling this stupid estate house she wanted. Splitting everything down the middle, even sharing the lawyer. Why piss it away on lawyers eh. New plan is buy 20-40 acres on Cape Bretton Island NS, take all tools and wood working shop, and all my other crap and build what I want. 1300sq slab on grade open concept 2 bedroom 1 bath(walk in shower only), attached 3 car garage with a urinal and wash sink, drain in floor, RADIANT FLOOR HEATED propane fired, 2 zones, plus very efficient Pacific Energy wood stove.

Hey all, Perhaps a really stupid noob question, but my excavation contractor and I have been going back and forth on best materials to place under my slab prior to concrete. We're trying to find a balance between ease of digging for running conduit and plumbing, cost, and ease of getting compacted/leveled. Any insights or thoughts are greatly appreciated! Cheers, Matt N.