Customer Reviews:
Contracting Your Home.......2007-09-01
This is a great guide to how to build your own home. Their are tips on how to work with subs, local officals. They have a step by step instructions, along with drawings of what the project should look like when finished. The forms listed, through out the book, can help you advoid legal, contract and problems threw out the entire the project.
A great handbook for planning your home building.......2007-07-12
There are so many things covered in this book that a list will be drastically incomplete, but I will give a few:
Deciding if it's worth it to contract your own home. Buying land. PLanning your home for that land (position, site issues), energy saving measures, supplies you need, how to hire contractors and deal with them. Things that can go wrong and what you need to do. What each aspect of building involves and how to prepare for them. Ways to cut costs. Deciding what you want most for your money. How much house you can afford. And many more.
In response to a previous post, there is a small section on ways to save money on construction. Most of them are very simple, some are from official sources (like ways to avoid waste, which also saves money). I agree with the previous post that you should be careful of cutting corners on things you don't fully understand. Like how wide to space supports. Verify with local builders and compare to building code. Something HE also suggests. But with things like plan your house in 4' segments so you waste less drywall (which comes in these widths). You can safely follow advice like that.
This book has many excellent qualities. Unlike most, he's giving your the forms and information you will need to contract your home, not just endless descriptions on why it's great to do it. His timeline showing the time range for each aspect and what needs to be done first is priceless. So many pages I found were "aha" pages where I said to myself "That's JUST what I've been needing to know".
I do agree that you will want more than one book on the subject. This is a huge investment! It's really a great book to keep on hand for helping you plan this experience and do a good job of it.
The book is dated 1997, so some things are going to be dated. He has a small section where he plays up computers and the internet which seems a little dated. Also the $$ amounts given will seem awfully low. Not too many of those, though.
Something this book is NOT is an artisan/artist's guide. For making things beautiful and artistic, you'll want other books to give you ideas.
I've read several books from the library and ones I've purchased, and I'm buying this one first to have my own copy.
Good resource.......2007-05-28
This book is good as a starting point but you need to consult more sources as some of the information is little dated.
Good book but sometimes too basic.......2007-05-09
I only gave this 4 stars because it was not as advanced as I thought it would be. It's a great book for someone exploring the possibility of building their own home, but if you've got any experience or knowledge of the contracting process already then this book may be too basic for you.
Cary.......2007-02-16
I almost didn't buy this book because of some of the negative reviews, but, being a first time home builder, it's exactly what I was hoping for and is helping me greatly. I think if you were more of a professional, then this may be a little basic. I recommend it.
Book Description
Aimed at single contractors and small businesses, Smart Business for Contractors gives readers reliable information on bidding and pricing and offers field-tested ways to handle legal matters that arise during this process. It includes chapters on incorporation, taxes, insurance, disability, and retirement.
Customer Reviews:
Written Specifically for Self-Employed Contractors.......2007-09-21
This book covers everything you need to know as a self-employed contractor through hiring your first employee.
The straightforward language of this book explains the business side of being a professional tradesperson, and shows the benefits of doing things properly. It is backed by many examples of what has worked and not worked for others.
The book also shows how to plan for your retirement and balance your business and personal life.
Whether you are just thinking about going out on your own, or you've been running things by the seat of your pants, this book will help.
Contractor .......2007-02-04
For beginners only. Written as if you don't know anything about the business, so if you don't then buy it. It will not open your eyes to anything new if you're in the business.
Smart Business for Contractors.......2007-01-16
Good solid information on the accounting, legal and business details of a construction company.
Great Contractor Trade Book.......2006-11-15
I am starting an electrical contracting business and needed help with the office/legal side of the business. I read 4 books on starting a business. This book was the most practical and relavent for me as it was written specifically for the contractor trades. This book provides a good overview of the business details that are required for a business to operate and succeed. It contains very practical examples of what to do to before you start your company and as you run your company. Buy this book first and you may not want any others. Good job with this book Jim.
very helpful.......2006-11-05
i am starting a contracting business in the near future and i found this book to be very readable and full of good info.i would highly recomend it!!!
Book Description
Contractors need more than trade skills to be successful — they also need business acumen and managerial skills. The Builder's Guide to Running a Successful Construction Company is a comprehensive, detailed guide for building a thriving business in any economic climate. It covers all the basics including bids, schedules, contracts, finance, safety, and insurance, and features charts, sample forms, and a list of resources.
Customer Reviews:
Advice from the Author.......2003-02-17
I do like this book, but I am prejudice. I wrote it. I want you to know that it is out of date. It was written roughly twelve years ago when, among other things, computers were hardly in use in construction company offices. If you are seeking a book to help you organize your own company, I strongly urge you to buy the updated version of my book -- titled Running a Successful Construction Company as opposed to The Builder's Guide to Running a Successful Construction Company, the title of the old version. You will find the new version much more useful. Good luck!
Wish I had had it sooner.......2001-07-07
I found this book in the course of starting up a small landscaping business, after I had the client from hell. If I had read Gerstel's passages on qualifying projects and clients, I would have saved myself from six months of trauma and near-bankruptcy.
I have benefitted greatly from Gerstel's step-by-step, commonsense advice. My little business is now profitable and pleasurable.
Builder's Guide to Running a Successful Construction Company.......2001-04-14
Very helpful and good book, for any small building contractor. I am building contractor my self for 8 years now and I found that info in this book is still very helpful and absolutely necessary for anybody who wishes to start his or her own construction company. I will definitely recommend it to anyone. Down to earth and very useful. Thank you David.
Outstanding.......2000-10-02
Gerstel's book is full of insightful information that an up-and-coming contractor can use. His candid reveiw of his own pitfalls and successes along with pointers on how to avoid common headaches prooved a valuable tool for our company. We have grown to over a million dollars in volume a year and are still growing strong. We continue to adapt using many of Gerstel's suggestions. Definitely a good source of information for any new contractor.
Useful, but limited in scope.......1999-11-02
The information presented here is very useful IF you want to run a *small* construction company, specializing in single-family remodeling projects, just as the author has done.
Unfortunately, that wasn't what I was looking for. If you need information on how to branch out into other types of projects -- commercial or industrial -- or how to expand your business, you'd better get a different book. If you want to keep your company small and focused, however, this book would be a good place to start.
Book Description
If you're planning any kind of home improvement, from having a room painted to adding a three-room wing to your house, you need How to Be Your Own Contractor, the complete guide to hiring and overseeing the work of more than fifty different contracting specialists. It covers:
- finding the right contractor for the job
- comparing estimates
- negotiating a contract
- checking a contractor's licenses and insurance
- obtaining building permits
- working on-site with the contractors
The Hamiltons discuss:
- design professionals
- mechanical systems contractors, like plumbers and electricians
- interior specialist contractors, such as carpenters, paperhangers, and tile layers
- exterior specialists, such as roofers, deck builders, and excavators
- yard contractors, like swimming pool builders
- maintenance contractors, such as exterminators
Customer Reviews:
Superficial treatment.......1997-04-18
This book provides a few of the basics that you will need to know if you are contemplating a small remodeling project.
If you are planning on contracting your own house, this volume will not help you much. It provides only very superficial coverage of the information needed to intelligently communicate your requirements to subcontractors and evaluate their responses.
Average customer rating:
- The First Book a Contractor Should Read
- Required Reading
- A must read for everyone in the construction industry
- CONTRUCTION CO. SURVIVAL BY EXAMPLE NOT PHILOSOPHY.
|
Construction Contractors' Survival Guide
Thomas C. Schleifer
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
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Strategic Management in Construction
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Construction Accounting and Financial Management
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Markup & Profit: A Contractor's Guide
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Running a Successful Construction Company (For Pros by Pros)
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The Contractor's Legal Kit: The Complete User-Friendly Legal Guide for Home Builders and Remodelers
ASIN: 0471513245 |
Book Description
The turnover rate for companies in the construction industry is high. This book identifies the ten key elements of contractor failure and shows how to avoid them. Each element of failure is defined, illustrated by real examples, and ways are discussed to avoid or minimize the risks involved. The final chapter shows how to bring all these elements together to develop a positive and workable management strategy. This survival guide should prove invaluable to the 1.4 million individual construction-industry businesses in this country.
Customer Reviews:
The First Book a Contractor Should Read.......2007-02-01
"Your management decisions alone determine whether you will succeed or fail in the construction business." As a general contractor, my attention was caught by this the opening sentence in Thomas C. Schleifer's "Construction Contractor's Survival Guide". After reading the book I ordered a copy for every one of my project managers and other key staff and continued using it for training throughout my construction career. Schleifer was formerly a consultant to the surety industry, where it was his business to understand the causes of contractors' failures, and it is from this perspective that he describes in his book the ten most common causes of contractor failure and how a contractor can avoid them. No contractor should be without this book.
Nick B. Ganaway
General contractor and author of "Construction Business Management, What Every Construction Contractor, Builder and Subcontractor Needs to Know"
Required Reading.......2006-07-17
Anyone interested in going into the construction biz should make this required reading. If you are already a contractor then this book reminds you how difficult our line of work is and gives you some ways to limit the dangers.
A must read for everyone in the construction industry.......1999-10-02
Reading this book makes one rethink "the bigger the better" philosophy. In this book, Tom discusses from his experinces as a consultant as to why there are so many companies that fail in the construction industry and what could be done to prevent the cash flow problems...
CONTRUCTION CO. SURVIVAL BY EXAMPLE NOT PHILOSOPHY........1999-06-05
THE WISE MAN LEARNS FROM OTHER PEOPLES MISTAKES ,THIS BOOK OPENS YOUR EYES TO THE MINE FIELD THAT YOU FACE WHEN RUNNING A CONSTRUCTION CO .IT HAS HELPED ME TO SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT. K MALONE
Amazon.com
For most people, the mere thought of hiring a contractor is enough to induce nightmares of epic proportions--crazed contractors showing up late, leaving early, and offering shoddy workmanship at best, all to the tune of some figure that's 10 times what was originally promised. If this sounds all too familiar, and you're looking at diving into a home-improvement or remodeling project, pick up Duncan C. Stephen's The Unofficial Guide to Hiring Contractors. Stephens, who lived through the complete remodel of his 750-square-foot ranch-style home--now a 1,600-square-foot Cape Cod--knows whereof he speaks. From finding a contractor and surviving the remodeling ordeal to controlling the work and wrapping up the job--as well as additional in-depth discussions of specific remodeling projects, a resource guide, and helpful charts and checklists--Stephens's expert advice will get you on the road to the home of your dreams.
Book Description
Millions of dollars are spent on home renovations each year. . . and millions more on lawsuits over poor workmanship, scheduling, or contract terms. So when the roof needs re-shingling or the kitchen has to be painted, how does a homeowner get the work done without being taken to the cleaners?
The Unofficial Guide to Hiring Contractors teaches readers to assess their needs, research their options, and make decisions that can save them a bundle. It addresses the homeowner's concerns by giving them the low-down on finding a contractor, interviewing him or her, understanding fees, and confronting issues of quality, timeliness, and organization. It also reveals what contractors won't tell you -- and shows how to avoid getting burned.
Customer Reviews:
The Book You Must Have.......2003-05-22
This book is a gem. If you are thinking about remodeling, buy the book and read it before you do anything! I used this book as my guide to remodeling my 1000-sq-foot ranch, improving the kitchen, baths and windows. This book was at its best when it came to tips about dealing with contractors and builders (and what the differences are!!) I believe that my wife and I would be much more out of pocket and out of temper if we hadn't followed Mr. Stephens' sound advice.
Help for the helpless.......1999-02-27
If I ever do any remodeling again, I'm handing a copy of this book to the contractor! It's so clear on what you should expect from your contractor, and what you can do to make the job move smoothly -- and what to do when the inevitable problems creep in. Speaking of creeps, the contractors I used when I renovated my NYC co-op were the worst -- the work looked great, but they were from Long Island and had failed to do the work to NYC code! The problems wound up costing me hundreds of dollars and hours of time, and the contractors had disappeared by the time the bills came due, even after they swore they'd make the changes themselves at no cost to me. Did I ever have the kind of binding contract this book talks about? Contract -- what's a contract? I was foolish, yes, but I won't be caught in this bind again, thanks to the Unofficial Guide.
Book Description
Get 1,500 Construction Questions and Answers to Help You Pass the National Contractor's Exam with Flying Colors!
Turn to the National Contractor's Exam Study Guide to acquire the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to ace this important exam on the first try. The book contains 1,500 questions and answers—presented in the same format used on the actual exam—plus numerous references to the 2006 International Building Code and many helpful illustrations.
Written by renowned construction author R. Dodge Woodson, this career-building resource reviews every topic covered on the National Contractor's Exam. The National Contractor's Exam Study Guide features:
- Over 1,500 exam-style multiple choice and true/false questions and answers
- Numerous references to the 2006 International Building Code
- Detailed illustrations that help clarify complicated codes and show how to use local codebooks to solve exam questions
Master Every Topic Covered on the National Contractor's Exam:
• Use and Occupancy Classification • General Building Heights and Areas • Types of Construction • Interior Finishes • Fire Protection Systems • Means of Egress • Accessibility • Interior Environment • Energy Efficiency • Exterior Walls • Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures • Structural Design • Soils and Foundations • Concrete • Aluminum • Masonry • Steel • Wood • Glass and Glazing • Gypsum Board and Plaster • Electrical • Mechanical Systems • Plumbing Systems • Elevators and Conveying Systems • Safeguards During Construction • And Much More!
Average customer rating:
|
A Guide to Successful Construction
Arthur F. O'Leary
Manufacturer: BNI Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1557013136 |
Book Description
This updated edition, based on the newest AIA documents, is designed to help construction professionals successfully manage projects through effective contract administration and minimize disputes and litigation. O'Leary defines the roles and responsibilities of the contractor, architect, owner/developer and even the construction attorney, and includes step-by-step procedures for resolving conflicts and handling the threat of legal action.
Customer Reviews:
The best contracting book I have seen!.......2003-02-09
This book is well organized with a huge amount of helpful information. The author takes you step-by-step through the building process. After reading this book, you will have the knowledge needed to plan and complete your own construction project. This book should be considered required reading for anyone interested in construction.
Easy reading with a daily step-by-step guide........1998-07-08
My wife and I have read several publications for supervising, and contracting a house. We found "Contracting Your Own Home" (ISBN) 0-7737-5801-1) easy to read and provided us with step-by-step construction guides. This is a book for people with no previous experience with construction. We now know what the builders know -- and more.
Easy reading with a daily step-by-step guide........1998-07-08
My wife and I have read several publications for supervising, and contracting a house. We found "Contracting Your Own Home" easy to read and provided us with step-by-step construction guides. This is a book for people with no previous experience with construction. We now know what the builders know -- and more.
Customer Reviews:
Author clearly well informed.......1998-06-17
Vary helpful and well written, no doubt. Mr. Kennelly is clearly well informed about the subject of his new book, The Homeowners' Guide to Hiring Contractors. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Trace Boyd San Jose, CA
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- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying Foreclosures
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- The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels
- The Four Elements of Success: A Simple Personality Profile that will Transform Your Team
- The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun
- The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site
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