Buy this book with What Your Contractor Can't Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating by Amy Johnston today!

Buy Together Today: $23.73

Home Renovation Checklist: Everything You Need to Know to Save Money, Time, and Your Sanity by Robert Irwin  (1)  $12.95

Tips & Traps for Hiring a Contractor (Tips & Traps) by R. Dodge Woodson  (3)  $11.53

The Homeowners' Guide to Hiring Contractors by Bertt P. Kennelly  (1)  $16.95

On Time and On Budget: A Home Renovation Survival Guide by John Rusk  (7)  $19.00

THE Survival Guide: Home Remodeling by Diane Plesset  (10)  $29.95

› Explore similar items : Books (49)

From Library Journal
Gonzalez, a certified residential contractor, tells consumers how to avoid the pitfalls of home improvement and construction. He argues that consumers must educate themselves and specify exactly what they want, make their own choices, and have realistic expectations. Gonzalez discusses the essentials of selecting a contractor, negotiating contracts, and avoiding scams and provides rudimentary information about liens, insurance, bonding, and consumer rights. He also devotes one chapter to the art of writing specifications. The numbers and addresses of consumer protection agencies are listed state by state, as are construction regulatory offices. Good, basic information on this complex subject plus checklists and sample forms make this a useful tool for the beginner. Recommended for public libraries.
Judith M. Nixon, Purdue Univ. Lib., West Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
In the halcyon, largely imaginary days of yore, hardy Americans would have a few neighbors over to slap together the house or addition thereto, but now home building and remodeling are major professional undertakings. Indeed, one of the few constants left in American life is rising construction costs. The escalation of materials and labor prices shows no sign of abating, and as building codes grow in complexity and extend to previously unregulated areas, the cost of merely doing business rises, too. Into this world of hurt and need comes Gonzalez's primer on hiring contractors. Gonzalez advises on what to look out for during every construction stage, from planning to financing to complaints after completion. He offers five essentials to observe in the selection of a contractor, explains contracts and lien laws in lay terms, and covers warranties, bonding, service contracts--in short, all the ancillary stuff consumers often don't think about until it's too late. Well organized, easy to understand, this adviser is a highly usable resource. Mike Tribby --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

First Sentence:
Getting involved. That's what it takes to get your project done the way you want it done, with lasting quality. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Department of Commerce, Electrical Contractors, Notice of Commencement, East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, Notice of Completion, Public Reference New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Search Inside This Book: