Kelly Hart

Opt-out Clause for Building Code Exemption

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Message from reader: I want to add a discovery I made in the state laws of VT. This is for the Residential Building Energy Standards – “The following residential construction shall not be subject to the requirements of this subchapter: … (D) The owner discloses in writing to a prospective buyer, before entering into a binding purchase and sales agreement, with respect to the nature and extent of any noncompliance with RBES. …” This exemption also requires the owner to be the builder plus occupier of the residence. This can be read here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/30/002/00051

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Best Materials for Natural Building in the Pacific Northwest

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This charming little hybrid house on Vancouver Island is built with straw-clay, earth plaster and rustic local wood.
This charming little hybrid house on Vancouver Island is built with straw-clay, earth plaster and rustic local wood.

Reader question: I am hoping to start building a home in the Pacific Northwest this summer. I have been reading EVERYTHING I can on building with cob, hyperadobe and strawbales, and am trying to come up with a solution that I can afford and build on my own (I am recently divorced with four kids and no family or friends available to help build).

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Handmade House TV #2 “How much does a Handmade House cost?”

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In this episode of the series Noah Bradley addresses the most popular question he gets with regard to Handmade Houses, most especially log homes… “How much does it cost?” It’s an important and reasonable question.

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