Resources
Build Smarter.
Avoid Costly Mistakes.
Expert insights and actionable guidance for homeowners building or renovating in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
May 5, 2026
Setback Requirements Explained: How Close Can You Build to Your Property Line?
A builder's plain-English guide to residential setback requirements — front, side, and rear. What they mean, how to calculate buildable area, and why they matter more than square footage when choosing a lot.
Read More
May 5, 2026
Montgomery County Building Permits: The Homeowner's Survival Guide
Montgomery County's permit process is one of the most complex in the Mid-Atlantic. Here's the guide that every builder keeps to themselves — written for the homeowner who refuses to be kept in the dark.
Read More
May 4, 2026
How Big of a House Can I Build on My Lot? Zoning, Setbacks & Coverage Explained
The complete guide to calculating maximum home size on any residential lot. Zoning codes, setback requirements, building coverage, and height limits — explained by a licensed builder with real examples from Bethesda, Potomac, and the DC suburbs.
Read More
May 3, 2026
Can I Build on This Lot? How to Check Before You Buy
The complete guide to evaluating whether a lot is buildable before you buy. Zoning, setbacks, flood zones, soil, utilities, and the constraints that kill deals — from a builder with 300+ projects in the DC suburbs.
Read More
April 28, 2026
What Does a Luxury Custom Home Actually Cost in the DC Suburbs?
Transparent 2026 cost data for building a custom home in Bethesda, Potomac, McLean, Arlington, and Chevy Chase. Land, soft costs, hard costs, and the number nobody tells you.
Read More
April 21, 2026
How to Manage Subcontractors on a Custom Home Build
The #1 fear of acting as your own GC is managing subs. Here's what actually matters — and what doesn't — from years of residential construction in the DC suburbs.
Read More
April 16, 2026
How Iron Gate Uses AI + Human Intelligence to Help You Build a Custom Home
Discover how Iron Gate Development combines AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Monday.com with 20+ years of human construction expertise to help owner-builders save $150K–$300K on custom homes.
Read More
April 14, 2026
Teardown Lot Guide: How to Buy and Build in the DC Suburbs (Bethesda, Potomac, McLean & Arlington)
No empty lots exist in Bethesda, Potomac, McLean, Arlington, or Chevy Chase. If you want a new home in a top school district, you're buying a teardown. Here's the complete guide to not losing your shirt in the process.
Read More
April 13, 2026
The Complete Guide to Being an Owner-Builder: How to Save Up to $150K–$450K on Your Custom Home
Learn how to act as your own general contractor and potentially save up to $150K–$450K on your custom home. Expert guidance from Iron Gate Development.
Read More
April 1, 2026
The Real Cost of Builder Markup: What DC Suburbs Homeowners Pay (And How to Keep That Money)
Custom home builders in the DC suburbs mark up construction costs 20-32%. On a $1.2M build, that's up to $384K. Here's exactly where that money goes — and how to keep it.
Read More
March 21, 2025
The Elevator Mistake That Almost Happened (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)
A real field note from a new construction project where a missing elevator machine room was caught early - and what it means for custom home planning.
Read More
March 20, 2025
Owner-Builder Insurance: What Your Builder Won't Tell You (And What You Actually Need)
Owner-builder insurance explained simply. Learn builder's risk, liability, and workers' comp so you don't risk costly mistakes during your build.
Read MoreThinking About Building or Renovating?
Send us your plans and we'll review them and flag any major risks before you move forward.
Schedule Your Free Consultation