So You Want To Build A House A Complete Workbook For Building Your Own Home

Posted In: Home Construction

Gabriele Manning says...

I think this is a pretty good book, and I would recommend the print version.It sounds like the Kindle DX version may also be good.



However, the whole point of the book is the worksheets.I suspect you'll want to photocopy these and play with different options as you figure out how to build your house.



The worksheets are pretty much illegible on the original Kindle (1.0 or 2.0), and even on the DX, I think they would be awkward to photocopy.



Other than that, this is a reasonably useful book, content-wise.I also recommend Building Your Own Home for Dummies (Brewster) and Designing Your Own House (Hirsch).Both of those titles are fine on the Kindle (no worksheets).

Posted on May 20, 2011

Kelvin Halliwell says...

AS a construction project manager and author, myself, of a book on that subject ("Get Paid for a Change", subtitled, "The Contractor's Blueprint for turning Extra Work into Extra Money--through Change Orders", I was very interested in this book.I live constructionproject management every day, and really am aware of what happens on virtually every building project:changes to the original design and unanticipated site conditions.In fact, this is so prevalent that my columns "Full Contact Project Management" are carried in four trade magazines.



To that end, this book is a real help to the would-be owner-builder.I believe that you can never have too much information on a subject, particularly when you are about to risk your own money on it!This book will go a long ways toward helping you make informed decisions.Even if you just decide after reading this book that you are NOT going to build it yourself, but will hire a builder, or that you should hire a superintendent, you will soon realize that the $20 you invested in this book paid huge dividends.You really need this book!



Gary Micheloni

Posted on May 20, 2011

Jannet Hilzer says...

With the seemingly endless upward trend of real estate pricing, potential homeowners are constantly on the lookout for cost-cutting tips and organizational ideas to help them make the right decisions during the construction of their "customized dream house."



And this title, "So... You Want to Build a House," by J. M. Gore and William Null does just that by providing readers with useful information about subjects such as: the "perfect house;" consulting with realtors, architects, and subs; controlling both hard and soft expenses; finding the value of an upgrade; learning how that "one little change" can impact the overall outcome; and more.



But the book also helps guide the reader through the complicated process of building by including over a dozen worksheets specifically designed to help with the planning, budgeting, and building process--covering most every stage from the purchase of the land all the way through to the closing.



With all of this workbook's tips and insight, this proves to be a helpful text for anyone who may be considering a home building project (even though the inclusion of an additional set of the planning sheets or duplicates would have been appreciated).



But overall, "So... You Want to Build a House" is still a solid workbook and a great reference for anyone who's even thinking about any kind of residential project (whether they're building by themselves or through a professional)!



Good Job!

Posted on May 21, 2011

Mariann Tezak says...

Written by a real estate broker and a builder/developer, this book informs the reader on page 11 that "When you hire an architect or a draftsman to design a house, the house plan becomes your property." Not So! The AIA Document B151 tates that the plans are "instruments of service." It goes on to say that "The architect and the architect's consultants shall be deemed the authors and owners of their respective Instruments of Service and shall retain all common law, statuary and other reserved rights, including copyright." So much for the real estate broker and builder's advice!

Unike most of the miriad books advising people on the subject, however, the authors at least suggest that the owners might want to "get aquainted with an architect." They point out that "... some circumstances or communities may require a [architect's] seal for your house."

This is definitely not a book for anyone with a serious interest in architectural design. There is nothing about what an architect does to increase the value of your investment.

John Milnes Baker, AIA (author of "how to Build a House with an Architect" and "American House Styles: A Concise Guide)

Posted on May 21, 2011

Lissa Ghane says...

J.M. Gore is a realtor & William Null a builder, and together they have written a very helpful book.From the introduction--where you learn the importance of gathering information to make decisions, staying in your budget, and avoiding delays--to the comprehensive workbook (plenty of room for schedules, materials, subcontractors, etc.) and index, this is a useful book; and it also includes samples of the various forms you'll work with. The authors cover the basics of surveys, soil testing, easements, architects, house plans/blueprints, construction loans, liens, hard & soft costs, the importance ofthe value of houses in your neighborhood, resale and upgrades values, etc.; and they list and discuss the things that add to your construction cost: roof pitch, gables, plumbing and wiring, ceilings, fixtures, cabinetry, flooring, and change orders!



Having written a book myself about building a house, Building a Cool House for Hot Times without Scorching the Pocketbook, I was impressed by their book; they cover what you need to know, and they also point out that each house and property is unique, plus they've included examples of problems that homeowners have had to deal with.I learned a lot, including pitfalls I missed, fortunately.I'm keeping this book for building my next house.

Posted on May 21, 2011

Traci Puent says...

I bought this book to see what the process of building a house is all about and this book provided just that, a brief overview of whats involved. I finished this book in about half an hour (didn't do the worksheets) and while its helpful, it lacked the specific information I was looking for (for ex., where should I submit the house plan? what exactly is a lien?). For first timers like me, this book generates more questions than answer. Overall a good starting point, with the dozens of worksheets which may prove to be helpful later on, but if you are looking for detailed information... you need another thicker book.

Posted on May 21, 2011

Anthony Echelberger says...

I know absolutely nothing about building a house and my realtor told me about this book.The book has all the categories from property selection thru flooring selection and made it so easy to figure out and create a real budget for my new house.I followed all the tips and filled-out the forms in this book and took them to the bank when I applied for my construction loan -- the bank was so impressed - they knew I had a handle on my budget for my house.The book made it really easy to do and took me step-by-step through the entire process.It has an area to record everyone I needed permits and inspections from and helped me keep everything so organized.There are even forms to compare prices of things like cabinets and itemize every detail of everything needed for construction.It made my construction project a lot easier - the book helped me because I went over budget in one area, but I was able to adjust another area as the book suggested so I stayed on my budget.I used the info in the book to decide where to cut some costs and wher I could spend more so my appraisal would be good.And I did a schedule and knew when the house would be finished.My construction budget was $350,000 and the final price on my house was $352,530 -- my banker couldn't believe it - he said no one ever stays so close to their budget.I told him it was because this book broke everything down and was so easy to follow.It even has forms to keep the phone numbers of everyone who worked on the house so I have an easy reference sheet if I need to contact anyone.People usually say they will never build again, but I definitely will and use this book again.

Posted on May 21, 2011

Alise Hanagami says...

I recently bought this book to get a general idea of what it takes for a first time home builder and the $20.00 dollars I spent saved me more time, money and hassle than I can describe. I would recommend this book to anyone who is even thinking of the adventure of house building.



$20.00 will save you Thousands!!!!!

Posted on May 22, 2011

Hershel Lidstrom says...

This book was an easy read and had some good information in it.It also has helpful worksheets that I intend on using as a template to make my own.

Posted on May 22, 2011

Selina Askin says...

This book is too basic with not enough real substance.There are certainly valuable points, insights, and recommendations, however there isn't enough "meat" in the book compared to other books on the market.I would not recommend this book unless it were only going to be used to add to an already well-read library on the topic.If you're looking for "the" book on building/designing your own custom home, look elsewhere.

Posted on June 3, 2011