Building Your Own Home For Dummies (Paperback)

by Kevin Daum (Author), Janice Brewster (Author), Peter Economy (Author) "Most people at some time in their lives desire owning a custom home..." (more)
Key Phrases: custom home process, custom home project, construction loans can, Getting Started, All You Need Is Dough, Financing Your Custom Home (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Keep construction on track with helpful checklists

Turn your dream of a custom home into reality!

Thinking about building your own home? This easy-to-follow guide shows you how to plan and build a beautiful home on any budget. From acquiring land to finding the best architect to overseeing the construction, you get lots of savvy tips on managing your new investment wisely -- and staying sane during the process!

Discover how to:
* Find the best homesite
* Navigate the plan approval process
* Obtain financing
* Hire the right contractor
* Cut design and construction costs
* Avoid common mistakes

From the Back Cover
Keep construction on track with helpful checklists

Turn your dream of a custom home into reality!

Thinking about building your own home? This easy-to-follow guide shows you how to plan and build a beautiful home on any budget. From acquiring land to finding the best architect to overseeing the construction, you get lots of savvy tips on managing your new investment wisely — and staying sane during the process!

Discover how to:

• Find the best homesite
• Navigate the plan approval process
• Obtain financing
• Hire the right contractor
• Cut design and construction costs
• Avoid common mistakes

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (February 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764557092
• ISBN-13: 978-0764557095
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,542 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #40 in	Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > Design & Construction
  #42 in	Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Do-It-Yourself
  #88 in	Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Household Hints

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for a beginner, April 28, 2005

By	K. Major (York Beach, Maine) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the best book on the market if your thinking of, dreaming of, or even starting to build your own home. It's the perfect book for someone not so well versed in the complicated art of getting a home built. I found so much information I don't need to buy any other books! From the steps you need to take in getting permits, choosing stick-built or pre-fab, dealing with contractors and banks, to recommendations for square footage of rooms (I re-drew my home plans because of those little tips), what to expect when, and insider tricks on saving money. This book has way more information than I ever thought I'd find in one book. When my dream home building process gets underway, this book will be my Bible! I highly recommend it!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Building Your Own Home For Dummies, August 10, 2006

By	Kathie R. (Calif) - See all my reviews

I have 3 degrees, but I did not know the 1st step about buying raw land, building a home, and getting a construction loan. I read this book from start to finish and could not imagine going through the process without using the guidelines in this book. I learned what questions to ask the broker about the loan and what questions to ask my contractor about the construction. It is so important to go into this kind of huge project knowing what check lists to take care of and have some kind of timeline. Nice to know what is around each new corner! I think this is a must have book if you're planning on building a home!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Building your own home for Dummies, April 12, 2005

By	Jennifer E. Adams (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am finally ready to begin my dream of building my own home. This book is helping me to avoid many mistakes. It has also provided a terrific point of view on areas I had not considered before, such as how large my kitchen should be. Mr. Daum seems to know his stuff and has written a concise book that has been easy to read and understand.