Build Your Dream Home for Less (Paperback)

~ (Author) "If you're planning to build a new home, acting as your own developer and general contractor can save you a lot of money..." (more)
Key Phrases: damaging subcontractor, fingerjoint trim, power venter (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Betterway Books (September 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558703837
• ISBN-13: 978-1558703834
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #384,262 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

154 of 161 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars flawed but helpful, November 23, 2005

By	JC (Northern Ohio) - See all my reviews

As a licensed builder, developer, broker, and appraiser with 30+ years of experience, I will tell you that homebuilding is one of the most complicated tasks the average person might ever attempt. There are a multitude of products and processes that need to come together in the correct manner, or else the results can be disasterous (mold, water damage, foundation problems, etc ---why do you think builders have more lawsuits today than even OB/GYN's?)

If you want to build your own home for the personal satisfaction and for the control of your project then I would encourage you to do so.

However,if you believe you will save 20+% in doing so, you are in for a suprise. Most custom builders work on a margin of 7-18%. Consequently, at best, therein lies your savings---unless you plan on doing a lot of the labor yourself (and have the expertise to do it). However, thinking logically, the custom builder has both experience and established relationships with the trades for many years. He knows which subcontractor has EARNED a good reputation. When you attempt discover who is best, you are starting out at a distinct disadvantage. Even if you do discover a trade with a good reputation, that person is analyzing YOU---"am I going to get repeat business, is this person's inexperience and lack of knowledge with other trades going to disrupt my schedule, etc." You can well imagine that your price will be substantially higher and your control over the subcontractor will be substantially lower. The end result is that often, you assume the risk of the builder, do the work of the builder, have little recourse if something goes wrong, and can actually spend MORE for the priviledge of it!

The author does a good job of explaining the building process. However, in an attempt to cover everything, he simplifies to excess. In addition, some statements are downright misleading. As an example, the front cover states that you can "get your plans drawn for free". I found nowhere in the book to explain how that is done. Your own "kitchen table" drawn plans will not suffice. Unless you are in a rare part of the country with no governing juristiction, Code officials usually require certifications from an architect, engineer, truss manufacturer, etc., that demonstrate that the structure will perform to code.

If you are going to build a home soon, read the book. It will give you a good overview of the building process. Also read books that focus on the concept of "building science". Most are geared to a particular climate, so you need to choose one that matches your area (suggest books by Joseph Lstiburek).

Then, armed with a good working knowledge of the building process, interview some custom homebuilders and get estimates from them. If you then are still convinced that you want to experience the trials and tribulations of being your own general contractor, you WILL be prepared for the experience!

75 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!!! Very straight forward., July 17, 2001

By	M. Graham "breckbordr" (Saint Petersburg, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I lost the first copy after reading the entire book and I have bought it again. This is an excellent book for those who want a book that lists by chapter, everything you need to build your own home. This book is for you if you have a basic knowledge of construction techniques and need a book that doesnt try to go so in depth that it just wastes space. I have read 2 other books and they were filled with useless info. The author gives personal accounts of errors he has made while building, and how to avoid them. The book is straight forward and concise. I highly recomend it.

65 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just do what the man says, May 1, 2003

By	misterbeets "misterbeets" (Safe Harbor, MD USA) - See all my reviews

Very good advice throughout from an experienced builder, written in a relaxed and straightforward way. Offers his opinion on the myriad choices--crawlspace vs. basement, ashphalt vs. wood roof, fiberglass vs. steel bathtub--that are usually just provided without guidance by other authors. Knows which choices will return your investment on appraisal.