The Classic Blueprint for Do-It-Yourself Homebuilders Updated to Reflect the Latest Materials, Techniques, and Options!
Covering everything from hiring the right vendors to choosing fixtures, this information-packed guide is a step-by-step roadmap for building a new home or remodeling an existing one. The heavily-revised Fourth Edition focuses on the latest technologies, materials, money-saving options, and environmentallyfriendly methods, allowing homeowners to save money, get more for their money, maximize their usable space, decrease maintenance costs, and choose from an exciting array of new options.
- Save and get more from your money
- Pick the perfect site
- Minimize maintenance cost and effort
- Maximize indoor and outdoor space
There are countless reasons why building your own home makes good sense. But for most people, the chance to create the home they've always wanted is #1 on their list. And this all-in-one guide can help you every step of the way toward realizing your vision -- from hiring the right vendors to picking fixtures.
Whether it's basic planning ("What's your move-in date?") or construction methods ("Wood or steel?"), this trusted reference, now fully updated to cover new materials, techniques, energy-saving options, and environmentally friendly technologies and methods, is the most complete source for homebuilders available.
Written by experienced instructors and builders, and used by thousands of savvy buyers of custom and not-yet-built homes, How to Plan, Contract, and Build Your Own Home will help you:
- Select the right site and supervise its preparation
- Make wise decisions on floor plans, types of construction, framing, and foundations
- Plan for home office use, communications upgrades, "smart house" technology, and a home that will serve your needs throughout your life
- Choose the newest and most economical and efficient types of insulation, roofing, plumbing, wiring, and more
- Select amenities such as decks, patios, gazebos, sidewalks, and driveways
- Evaluate doing it yourself vs. subcontracting
- Know when you'll move in with a helpful calendar-style checklist
- Select the right mortgage
About the Author
Richard M. Scutella (Erie, PA) has written several books on new construction, home buying, home maintenance, and safety, including both editions of
Homebuyer's Checklist. He has designed and supervised the construction of many new homes, and is a member of the Handyman Club of America and the Quikrete Company's Home Projects Council.
Dave Heberle (Erie, PA) is the author of McGraw-Hill's Construction Safety Manual, and co-author of all three previous editions of How to Plan, Contract and Build Your Own Home. He's written numerous articles on home-building, and is a former realtor who has also designed and built homes. He currently is a consultant on environmental safety and health issues.
