Be Your Own Home Renovation Contractor: Save 30% Without Lifting a Hammer [Paperback]

Carl Heldmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 1998

How to appraise a restorable structure, obtain financing, and hire subcontractors.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One of the surest ways to save a bundle of money on any serious home renovation is to be your own contractor. However, if an individual embarks on this effort not armed with all the facts and formalities, it can also be the proverbial primrose path to financial hell. Becoming your own contractor is neither as simple as it might seem, nor as potentially intimidating as worst-case scenarios might leave one to believe, if you have the facts and information you need before you begin.

Heldman, the author of Be Your Own House Contractor, one of the classics in the field, lays out how to evaluate your structure, estimate costs, negotiate loans as needed, and hire subcontractors; he also gives a thorough look at the forms and legalities involved in taking on this task. Done knowledgeably, with this book as a guide, a homeowner can save many thousands of dollars on renovation costs.

Heldmann provides savvy advice on whether certain kinds of projects are advisable under certain circumstances, whether renovations are financially practical for increased value, and approaches the subject with full knowledge of the kinds of disruption and confusion home renovating projects can cause in peoples' lives. This book will likely become yet another Heldmann classic for do-it-yourself home renovators in years to come. --Mark A. Hetts

Review

"Written in simple reassuring language, the book is replete with sample contracts and sensible advice." -- Ruralife

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; Rev Upd edition (January 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580170242
• ISBN-13: 978-1580170246
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,518,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carl has been a licensed home builder and licensed real estate broker for over 30 years and a construction loan consultant to credit unions for 20 years. He has personally helped thousands of folks like yourself build their dreams. He is also the founder of two schools of homebuilding, a former newspaper housing columnist, and author of several books on building your own home whose aggregate sales are more than ' million copies.

You can find out more about Carl Heldmann and the free advice he provides on his website, Build Your Own House, at www.byoh.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not perfect for a partial remodel, April 23, 2005

By 

M. Gould (CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Be Your Own Home Renovation Contractor: Save 30% Without Lifting a Hammer (Paperback)

I bought this book because I am remodeling my basement. I find about 1/3 of the book to be useful, maybe a bit more.

There is a lot in here about purchasing a home for the purpose of remodeling, and those who would make such a purchase appear to be the target audience. For me, much of that content is not necessary because I am remodeling part of a home that I already own. There is also unneeded content about financing and making a real estate purchase. All this in a book that is only 106 pages plus appendices (contracts, forms, and sample blueprints).

24 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars book saved us thousands of dollars, May 20, 2000

By 

Anne Rappold - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be Your Own Home Renovation Contractor: Save 30% Without Lifting a Hammer (Paperback)

My husband and I made a bid on a foreclosed property. The same night I ordered "Be Your Own Home Renovation Contractor." We read through the book when it arrived and because of the tips and expert advice of the author, we were able to spot major (hidden)defects in the house that would have cost us thousands of additional dollars to repair. Needless to say, we did not buy the foreclosure. We have since found another house and again, we have saved money using the author's tips and techniques.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, January 8, 2012

By 

Joan J. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Be Your Own Home Renovation Contractor: Save 30% Without Lifting a Hammer (Paperback)

This book provides excellent step-by-step advice on how to evaluate, select and renovate an older home, or simply a home that needs remodeling. It also gives a job description of the general contractor, which made me realize that I CAN be my own general contractor. This book has given me the confidence to begin my second home renovation project as the GC, not just the homeowner. Easy to read and understand, too.