About Build Eastside

Sharing what I’m learning about building a house on Seattle’s Eastside

Who is behind this?

Hi, I'm Will!

I’m not a realtor. Not an architect. Definitely not a lawyer.

I'm just a homeowner building a new house on Seattle's Eastside and googling zoning codes, permit rules, and why trees somehow have more rights than people.

Why this blog exists

When I bought my teardown, I thought I had it all figured out. Spoiler: I didn’t.

Here’s what I learned the hard way:

Agents focus on closing deals, not saving you money
Critical information like WA's free oil tank insurance somehow never comes up
Surprise costs are everywhere but many are avoidable

So, I started this site to document my learnings and, hopefully, help others avoid the same headaches, save money, and stay sane.

What you’ll find here

Unfiltered advice on buying teardowns, new construction, and navigating regulations
Money saving tips realtors, architects, and builders don't always share
Learnings from the trenches (aka me figuring this out the hard way)

My promise

No fluff. No sales pitches. No BS.

Just the stuff I wish someone had told me sooner.

Join The Community

Meet others who are navigating the same process.

Ask questions. Share advice. Crowdsource solutions.

No spam. No pressure. Just real, useful info.

Got Tips, Stories, or Regrets?

I’m learning as I go and I’m sure you are too.

Got a suggestion, horror story, or money saving tip I should share?

Shoot me an email at [email protected]

I read them all. Even the long ones.

Important disclaimer

I’m not an expert. I’m just sharing what I’ve learned along the way.

So if you see something I got wrong or have a tip, question, or experience to share, leave a comment or suggestion!

We’re all learning here.

PS: If a realtor sends you this site, they’re probably one of the good ones. There are maybe three in the entire Eastside.