One of the most important steps in building your own home is installing the subfloor.  A poor grade or substandard material as well as substandard installation of the subfloor will result in failure, as well as poor appearance, of the finished floor covering. 1)      Foundation Plate:  Install a copper or fiberglass termite shield on top of foundation plate (i.e. between foundation & foundation plate). ...

Foundations done by hand. Step 1) Level the lot section or area where you intend to pour the foundation.  Now, it's not necessary to have the area completely level but getting it as close as possible will save you headaches in the future. Step 2) Dig a trench around the outside edge or perimeter of your foundation.  The trench should be a minimum of 6 inches wide and 24 inches deep unless you're building a ...