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Home Owner's Guide

Know Your Home.
Love Your Home.

An interactive visual guide to understanding every layer of your home — from the foundation to the ridge cap. Built by Scott & Maria Palmer so you can make smarter decisions.

Section 1 · Materials

What Is Your House Made Of?

Every home is a layered system of materials working together. Understanding what's in your walls, under your floors, and over your head helps you maintain it — and spot problems early.

Home construction materials overview
The raw materials

Wood Framing

The backbone of most American homes. Dimensional lumber (2×4, 2×6) forms walls, floors, and roof systems. Engineered lumber like LVL beams carry heavier loads without warping.

Wood Framing

Concrete & Masonry

Foundations, basement walls, and fireplaces. Concrete is incredibly strong in compression — it holds up your entire house. Block and poured walls each have pros and cons.

Concrete & Masonry

Insulation

Fiberglass batts, spray foam, or rigid board — insulation keeps heat in during Minnesota winters and out during summer. It also controls moisture and sound.

Insulation

Exterior Cladding

Siding, shingles, and windows form the weather barrier. LP SmartSide, fiber cement, and brick each offer different durability, maintenance, and aesthetic profiles.

Exterior Cladding

What It All Becomes

The Kitchen

The Kitchen

Cabinets, counters, appliances, lighting

The Bathroom

The Bathroom

Tile, fixtures, ventilation, storage

Living Spaces

Living Spaces

Trim, flooring, fireplace, natural light

Section 2 · Structure

Built From the Ground Up

Your home is built in layers, each one depending on the one below it. Every layer tells a story about how your home works.

Home under construction

The Journey

Bare Lot → Dream Home

8–14 months from groundbreaking to move-in

Foundation
Layer 1

Foundation

Everything starts here. Concrete footings spread the load of your home into the earth. Basement walls are poured or blocked, waterproofed, and drained. This layer must be right — it can't be fixed later without enormous cost. A proper foundation includes drainage tile, waterproofing membrane, and rigid insulation on the exterior.

Floor System & Framing
Layer 2

Floor System & Framing

Engineered floor joists span the foundation walls. Then wall framing goes up — 2×6 studs 16" on center, headers over openings, and roof trusses or rafters on top. This is the skeleton that gives your home its shape. Modern homes use engineered lumber for straighter, stronger framing that won't warp or shrink.

Roof & Exterior Skin
Layer 3

Roof & Exterior Skin

Roof sheathing, felt underlayment, and architectural shingles protect from above. Housewrap, sheathing, and siding protect the sides. Windows and doors are installed and flashed to prevent water infiltration. This is when your home becomes weathertight for the first time.

Mechanical Rough-In
Layer 4

Mechanical Rough-In

Before walls close up, plumbers, electricians, and HVAC techs run their systems through the framing. This is the most complex coordination phase — all three trades must work together without conflicts. Every pipe, wire, and duct must be inspected before drywall covers it forever.

Insulation & Drywall
Layer 5

Insulation & Drywall

Insulation fills the wall cavities and attic. After inspection, drywall is hung, taped, mudded, and sanded. This is when the home starts to feel like a home — rooms take shape and surfaces appear. The quality of taping and finishing determines how smooth your walls look for decades.

Interior Finishes
Layer 6

Interior Finishes

Flooring, cabinetry, trim, paint, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. This is the most visible and personal layer — the one you'll live with every day. Quality here is what you see and touch. Choices made in this phase define the character and value of your home.

Section 3 · Process

The 8-Step Build Process

Building a custom home takes 8–14 months. Click each step to see what happens — with photos so you know exactly what to expect at every stage.

Site Prep & Permits
Step 01

Site Prep & Permits

Surveying, soil testing, permits pulled, utilities located and marked. This phase can take 4–8 weeks depending on municipality.

Section 4 · Systems

Get to Know Your Home Systems

Your home has four major systems that need regular attention. Click each one to learn what it does, what to watch for, and how to maintain it.

HVAC
HVAC System

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system keeps your home comfortable year-round. In Minnesota, a well-maintained furnace is not optional — it's survival.

Key Maintenance Tips

  • Change filters every 1–3 months
  • Schedule annual furnace tune-up each fall
  • Keep vents clear of furniture and rugs
  • Check refrigerant levels on AC each spring
Section 5 · Maintenance

Home Maintenance Basics

A well-maintained home saves you money and holds its value. Here's a quick-reference guide organized by how often each task needs to happen.

Home maintenance

Monthly

  • Test smoke & CO detectors
  • Check HVAC filter
  • Run water in unused fixtures
  • Inspect under sinks for leaks

Quarterly

  • Change HVAC filter
  • Test GFCI outlets
  • Check water softener salt
  • Inspect fire extinguisher

Annually

  • Furnace tune-up (fall)
  • AC tune-up (spring)
  • Flush water heater
  • Roof inspection
  • Clean dryer vent

Every 5–10 Yrs

  • Recaulk windows & doors
  • Inspect chimney
  • Reseal driveway
  • Repaint exterior siding
HVAC Service

HVAC Service

Roof Check

Roof Check

Plumbing Inspection

Plumbing Inspection

Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety

Section 6 · Seasonal

Seasonal Maintenance Guide

Minnesota homes face extreme seasonal swings — from -30°F winters to 95°F summers. Here's what to do each season to stay ahead of problems.

Spring maintenance
Spring

6 tasks this season

Spring Checklist

  • Clean gutters after snowmelt
  • Inspect roof for winter damage
  • Test sump pump before rain season
  • Service AC before summer heat
  • Check exterior caulking and paint
  • Turn on irrigation system

Scott's Tip

Spring is the most important maintenance season in Minnesota. Snowmelt can reveal damage that was hidden all winter.

Section 7 · Warning Signs

Don't Ignore These

Some home problems look minor but signal something serious underneath. Here's what to watch for — and when to call a professional immediately.

Foundation Cracks
Act Now

Foundation Cracks

Click to learn more

Tap to expand
Mold & Moisture
Act Now

Mold & Moisture

Click to learn more

Tap to expand
Sagging Floors or Ceilings
Watch It

Sagging Floors or Ceilings

Click to learn more

Tap to expand
Roof Damage
Watch It

Roof Damage

Click to learn more

Tap to expand
Electrical Issues
Monitor

Electrical Issues

Click to learn more

Tap to expand
Plumbing Leaks
Monitor

Plumbing Leaks

Click to learn more

Tap to expand
Section 8 · Reminders

Get Maintenance Reminders

We'll send you a friendly email before each maintenance task is due — based on the schedule that makes sense for your home. No spam, no sales pitches.

Home maintenance reminder
HVAC maintenance
Roof inspection

From Scott & Maria Palmer

MSP Homes · Minneapolis, MN

Pick what you want reminders for:

How often do you want emails?

Select at least one reminder above

Questions About Your Home?

Scott has 20+ years of construction experience. Maria is an expert in the Twin Cities real estate market. Together, they can help you decide what's worth fixing, upgrading, or selling.