Building your own home can be an exciting, and daunting, endeavor. Not to mention the time and effort, there are the decisions: style, materials and how much of each, etc. If you're set on raising your own home, you're probably prepared for, and, most likely, are looking forward to, the actual construction involved ? the work. And there will be an abundance of work.

But what about all those steps that come before you build, before you ever touch a hammer? The hours of selection and hauling, and days of measuring, marking and cutting. In this age of ease and efficiency, there should be a way to simplify the process, to compromise. A way to build your own home, lay your own hands to the foundation and frame, that's a little easier, maybe even a little faster.

The answer is the kit home, and while current kit manufacturers claim ease and efficiency, kit homes have been around since the early 1900s.

Kit homes come in a variety of packages. You can choose a kit with pre-cut pieces or opt to trim and cut some pieces yourself. They range from first home designs to deluxe show home packages.

The amount of work you're willing to contribute directly effects the endprice; though, if you're inexperienced, mistakes can be costly. If you're planning to execute much of the work personally, you'll need time, construction experience and the ability and skills to rely on yourself.

There are four main categories for kit homes: log, timber-frame, domes and panelized. A few companies offer combination packages.

• Log Homes
  Log homes are the dream for many; rustic, lasting and inviting. Log home kits can come with whole logs or with dried, milled logs. A skilled supervisor is often provided to help raise the structure shell. When selecting a log home kit, ask about the quality of the materials and for a list of local builders experienced with kit homes. Keep in mind that log homes often shrink significantly in height after they're finished, so you must plan plumbing and wall openings accordingly.
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• Timber Frame
  Timber frame (or post-and-beam) homes offer almost endless options for the interior. Their self-supporting structural frame allows the builder to move rooms around according to taste. The opportunity for large and multiple windows makes this an excellent choice for passive solar design.
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• Domes
  Dome kits are comparatively easy to build and stand up better than many other structures in earthquakes and hurricanes. Roomy, well-lit and quickly constructed, domes certainly have their advantages. However, the finishing details often demand more time because of the unusual shape of the shell.
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• Panelized
  The fundamental elements of panelized home kits are factory-manufactured. Panelized kits offer a multitude of options, such as high-performance insulation, trusses for the roof or even complete finishing materials. These require quick construction, so the builder and crew need to ready to go when the kit arrives. Panelized homes can be highly energy-efficient and require less wood, less building time and can be ultimately less expensive than today's standard stick-built homes.
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  You can find more about kit homes in Greg Pahl's article from Mother Earth News magazine, 'Kit Homes.'
  
  This tip is adapted from here by Greg Pahl.