Customer Reviews

Working Alone

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been in the remodeling business since 1975, and have worked most of this time by myself.

I'm just finishing a 10 x 20 room addition for a customer. I purchased this book at the beginning of this project and have found Mr. Carroll's book refreshing and informative. There were many ideas and suggestions that were benificial. I found the rafter layout-jig very useful.

His suggestions about the "math" of the rafter was very useful, and increased my capacity to complete the job in a timely maner which helped my bottom line.

I appreciated his easy reading style and found his book enjoyable.

I wish his information on the cornice system had been a little more detailed, but found his explanations sufficent.

I found his information about clamps and holding jigs to be of special interest and enjoyed all of his book. I even bought his other book, "Measuring, Marking, and Layout", which I also found enlighting, enjoyable, fun, and benificial, to my professional standing as a remodeler.

Thanks for two great books, that help take the mystery out of some of the more complex parts of our profession.

Respectfully

Reeder Lyons IMH Remodeling & Repair

It has been some 30 years since I first helped build a 4 car garage and there have been many "working alone" projects, ranging from additions, to decks, to complete home remodels since. I'm completely remodeling a house now... Over those years I figured out many of the tips in the book myself. However, it would have been far more efficient to have had the book 30 years ago. The book somewhat makes up for not having a mentor... i.e., someone to "cause [you] to be taught Informed and Instructed in the Trade, Art and Mystery of a [builder]." (Paraphrased from an 18th century apprenticeship agreement). I'm about to order another copy for my brother...

this book was extremely helpful to me in building a detached room for my son. The book was recommended from a website about building small houses, so I reserved it through our library. Having read the book, I found the tips and explanations for framing rafters provided clarification for the sketchy instructions from the 5 other books we have about building outbuildings. Perhaps using clamps and homemade jigs to support work is a given for a professional, but it was an eye-opener for me! I did extensive renovation on my historical house, but had help from friends to do it. Building this room from the ground up mostly alone is a different matter. I wish we had this book when we were trying to square the foundation. I am now ordering the book for myself, as the library wants their own book back!!

This book should be called "101 Uses for C-clamps and yard sticks".

That might sound like a negative statement considering that I gave it 4 stars. On the contrary... this is a VERY helpful book.

My only complaint would be that the author recycles the same methods over and over again in a book that is structured to follow the phases of construction.

If the book is actually intended for an experienced builder, it would save time to describe a particular method and then discuss it's various uses.

Instead, this book goes phase-by-phase through the construction process. Utilizing many of the same techniques over and over again. Yet I felt compelled to keep reading in case there was something new around the corner. There wasn't.

I think this book is a "must read" for anyone who's looking to tackle a project on their own. Or a professional who's looking for some new ideas. It's full of great ideas that only come from necessity, and I fully intend to employ many of them at the first opportunity.

That being said; once you've mastered the concept of site-built brackets and using clamps as extra hands, the biggest contribution this book makes is in some of the author's solo-measuring procedures.

All three are worth the price of the book, just don't get so caught up that you think there's more in store "in the next chapter".

As a guy who spends every weekend and nearly every vacation working on my home, this great little book is a godsend. With three kids at home under the age 10, my only possible helper--my wife--spends all her time taking care of them. That leaves just me to get the work done and,frankly, it's not easy doing all this by myself. Then along comes John Carroll to show the way. Carroll has figured out ways to do things without a helper that would've taken me a century of weekends to figure out. Thanks.

I have been working on old houses almost all of my life(60 years). Had a new house once but found it was pretty boring stuff. One thing I have learned from Mr Carroll's book is: most projects can be done alone if you are willing to plan them through... I look forward to putting some of the techniques described in this book into practice soon. Thanks

Anyone who has tried to stretch a tapemeasure over 8 feet in the wind or on a ladder can appreciate this book. These tips are all helpful. You may not use them all right away, but when it's time, you'll be glad you had this book. I wish I had it before I built my two story shop. I recently purchased it before working on my deck and it's great.

Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it,

and I shall move the world. -Archimedes

If you are the type of person that likes to GET IT DONE, then this book is for you. The techniques in this book are so good, I feel like I should go study to become a general contractor.

The techniques are eye-opening and the positive attitude in which this book is written will give you the confidence and ability to tackle some tough projects.

Now go and build something great!

[...]

Excellent information for those sparetime home improvement people like me who enjoy working alone. I really liked the section on decks. I added a deck to my home and ofcourse made several key mistakes. Mr. Carroll's book has provided the info., plus good illustrations to make the improvements I need to make. I will use this book a great deal. Thanks.

As a homeowner who does almost every project by myself,I found this book to be a valuable source of information and tips. The authors methods are proven in the construction field and will not only work for anyone, it will start the thought process of how can I use the tools I have better and more efficiently for myself. I really liked his method of roof framing and it has lead to a new entry way idea for our current home. I would recommend this book to anyone who builds or enjoys working on their homes.