Customer Reviews

Build It Right! What to Look for in Your New Home

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There is a lot of good information in this book, but there is also a lot missing as well as some misleading information. I'd recommend this book to someone that was planning on building or remodeling with the caveat that they also read from other sources or better consult with established professionals in each and every trade on the project.

The strong points of this book include good discussion of doorway layouts, spacing in kitchen and baths, things to look out for that could be problems and good questions to ask or things to consider when planning. Pointing out problems and potential problems that a homeowner may face in the future makes this book worth the money, after all, if after reading this book an owner solves or prevents just one simple mistake, the book has paid for itself many times over.

The weak points of this book are why I suggest reading elsewhere or consulting with professionals. I am an electrician by trade so I read the chapter on electrical first. It wasn't that any of the information was really bad or mistaken, but simply that I felt it didn't mention a lot of things that could and should be brought up when planning.

The author makes a point (several times) about having three conductor wire run to any potential ceiling fan location. While this isn't bad advice, it's incomplete. Many of the top of the line fans use remote control switching and don't require an extra wire. The best fans I have installed use a remote that is battery operated and the ceiling fan itself is wired to a two conductor wire that isn't even switched. If an owner picked up one of this fans they would now have a switch on the wall that did nothing or worse a switch that if turned off would cancel out the auto temperature function of the remote.

While pointing out the importance of having an extra outlet outside for things like Christmas lights, he fails to mention the nice addition of eve high outlets wired to a timer.

There are many reasons to consider timer switches, especially for outside wall and path lights. The best is a 7 day 24 hour electronic timer that fits in the space of a regular switch. These can be programed to go off at various times through out the night, a nice feature when on vacation or simply for added security.

The use of lighting controls, dimmers, timers, etc. is barely touched on or not discussed at all. While these systems can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, all but very meager budgets such at least consider the options available because for some applications the extra money can be justified.

The use of dimming xenon lighting for undercabinet use instead of fluorescent is not discussed. I believe it is a much better option.

I also noticed some problems in other trades. The use of insta hot water heaters is mentioned as a good way to save energy in the kitchen because the hot water doesn't have to travel to get there. I am not sure what the author was basing this information on, but it isn't correct. First off he implies that an insta hot can supply water at the sink but he doesn't mention that there are two kinds of systems. One is the insta hot that keeps about a gallon of near boiling water for use in making coffee, tea and instant soups and oatmeal. While this is great for people on the go or someone that doesn't want an elderly member of the family turning on the tea kettle and perhaps forgetting it; it is not an energy saving device. The second kind of insta hot is a small unit that doesn't store any water, it just heats up the water as it passes through the unit. It is really only designed for one purpose only hand washing. In the discussion on supplying extra or insta hot water for bathrooms, the author mentions that planning for the space and supplying electrical or gas are the considerations. But what about venting the unit if it is gas? This is a big consideration and would make adding a second unit not very cost effective. The best solution would simply be to add a circ pump and if necessary increase the size of the water heater. The way the information is laid out in the book would probably just confuse the non-professional.

The biggest problem I had in my reading of this book was when I read the author describe linoleum as the floor of choice in the kitchen. I nearly quit reading right there and then and threw the book in the trash. To his credit he does mention that in certain parts of the country tile is the way to go and if you live in those parts it's ok to go with tile. I happen to live in Southern California where linoleum is the flooring used in apartments and condos and cheap o tract homes. I can't believe anyone would recommend linoleum over tile. Tile stands up for years and if one breaks, which is unlikely, it can be replaced with another tile. If linoleum rips, which it's easy to do when moving appliances around, it is not as easy to fix as replacing a tile and regrouting, it will have to have a seam and seams tend to come apart after time. Plus linoleum over the years tends to get dull with wear while tile can be cleaned and resealed, linoleum is a print on paper and once it wears out or is ripped or scratched it can't be taken back to it's pristine state. While I personally hate the current trend in fake wood floors (laminates) because I think they look fake, I think a compelling argument could be made to use them over linoleum. The author of this book obviously doesn't mind linoleum, which is fine, but he fails to make a case for the other options as well as he could have and should have so that the reader could make informed choices.

Finally I would like to say that despite my misgivings and the problems I found, I'd like to reiterate that anyone going into building or buying a new home wouldn't be hurt by reading this book and even a simple suggestion or solution to a problem would pay for the cost of the book, but don't stop with just this book. It leaves too much out.

The author does an excellent job of walking the reader through the residential build process, beginning with lot selection, choosing an architect and builder, design, and construction. This book is rich with helpful, practical, and useful information on a variety of topics, including windows and doors, the electrical and non-electrical wiring, HVAC, and plumbing. The suggestions offered are straight-forward and are common sense ideas that will help anyone building a new home. Recommendations such as wiring garage door openers to an electrical switch that can be turned off while the house is vacant as a security precaution, installing a basement floor drain for high-efficiency furnaces or if a humidifier is installed, using a mixing valve to bring both hot and cold water to an outside hose bib, are just a few examples that are offered. I found the section on kitchen design/layout, countertop selection, and exhaust systems very useful, as it caused me to alter some of the design I had previously done in the construction of my home, which will prevent me from experiencing certain issues that I may have otherwise overlooked.

Having built 2 homes previously and having read 4 books on this topic in the past 2 months, I can tell you without reservation that this is the most-comprehensive, organized, and easy-to-read book I have found available on this topic thus far. I would highly recommend the material for anyone who is either building a new home or planning to undergo a renovation of their existing house. For first-time home builders, you will find this book invaluable.

Not only was this book easy to ready, but it was extremely informative. I bought several books after my husband and I decided to build a new home and this was the best. Whether you're doing your own contracting or hiring one, this book explains, in detail, what makes a good home and what is sloppy or poorly designed construction. It makes you think of things you might not have -- such as leaving enough clearance when building cabinets so you can walk around the open diswasher, or checking to make sure the interior doors all swing the right way so they don't open into each other. It talks about insulation, cabinets, heating and air vents, placement and number of electrical outlets you should have, etc. Truly, a wonderful book. I followed almost every suggestion that applied to our construction.

This book points out all the major and minor problems to avoid when laying out each room in a house. Excellent insight and reasoning behind why a builder does things one way and the home owner finds out it should have been done another. Good suggestions on phases of construction to scutinize.

I am writing as both a book publishing consultant and a former builder, with experience working on new custom homes and tract condos, as well as remodeling. From a publishing perspective, Myron Ferguson has done a very capable job of creating a title that is well-designed, well-written, and clearly illustrated. You will find it simply organized and easy to use. From my experience as a builder, I have to say that this is one of the most informative and valuable aids a home buyer or first-time builder is likely to find. Myron's engineering background is apparent, but just as evident is his common sense about how to put the parts of a house together so they work for you, instead of against you. There is great detail here, and all of it is useful. This book will turn the casual reader into an instant expert, supplying him or her with savvy that would take many years to acquire on the job. Buyers or builders, do yourself a favor and read this book !

Thanks to super low inventories of resales in our region, it looks like we will be forced to build our new home. Since this is a new experience for us, we have dozens of questions and concerns. After reading this book, I was able to get a good night's sleep for the first time in a week!

I felt like I had become a more informed consumer. The book by no means replaces a reputable home inspector but I don't feel so overwhelmed about design choices and construction practices.

We borrowed this book from the library but we will be buying our own copy.

I was skeptical after reading some of the other reviews. But when "Build it Right" came, I devoured every page in one sitting. Being a previous home owner in the market again, I realized that I had made some major mistakes the first time. Reading this book will prevent you from making those same mistakes. Whether you are looking at resales or building a new custom or tract-style home, this book will help you IMMENSELY. I walked into some builders show-homes and immediately was able to decide whether they were a good builder or not after having read the book. The section on kitchens is particularly helpful. It is amazing how many kitchens are designed poorly--something I would not have picked up without this book. ONe builder proudly proclaimed that he "specialized" in kitchen design and construction. His kitchens were designed with the builder in mind, not the consumer. Get this book--it is an investment that will save you $1000's of times its value in real dollars and time.

This book contains hundreds of ideas to make sure that you buyor build a good house. From design to advice about material selectionto building tips, it has it all. The only shortfall is that it does not have specific brand recommendations. I guess this ensures an unbiased opinion.

For every dollar you pay for the book, you will get sigificant savings, more enjoyment of your house and less aggravations and distress with future problems. One advice: If you buy this book, read it and take notes. Nothing will make you mad at yourself when you find a problem with a new house more than having good information and not reading it. END

Some of the information is very helpful for buyers of new homes, but in many instances the author makes statements about topics which he clearly doesn't know anything about or doesn't like, and make them appear as fact. He is definetely mis-informed about hydronic radiant heating. There is good information but I would warn every buyer to use their judgement, and take much of the author's opinions as just that. The buyer should be aware that there are many new advances in materials being used to build homes, and the author doesn't seem to take this into account, or makes it sound like a bad idea if he doesn't agree. Some of the auther's design ideas are truely opinions(such as in the kitchen), and not based in fact but his likes and dislikes. He also includes some really good information, i.e. when he talks about the placement of the dishwasher in relationship to a corner sink.

There are lots of books about design and what makes a good home. This book is okay, but ! do not make it your only design guide.

This book is about the pieces-parts (as the commercial used to say). There are little sections on just about every piece in the house: plumbing, countertop material, HVAC, security etc. It also talks quite a bit about proper design, such as: which way a door should swing,; when to use pocket doors; where to put the dishwasher (better yet: where NOT to put the dishwasher); how to vent the dryer; what size kitchen hood to use; etc.

As I mentioned, he writes one or two pages on nearly every visible or finish piece in the house (notable exceptions: framing materials and foundation). His primary focus is functionality and user-friendliness of the house, followed by quality and durability of the materials.

Buy this book BEFORE you decide on a floorplan. It will help you spot design flaws. As you move through the building process, refer to it often as you are required to make decisions on materials, surfaces and appliances. A great reference source but not a "how-to" or "construction timeline" book.