18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
Building Your Own House: Everything You Need To Know About C, 2001-09-04
Although there was some sound advise, the illustrations were outdated by about 20 years. If I had it to do over again, I would have bought a book that offered more uptodate photos.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
no longer the standard, 2001-08-26
This book started out with good intentions, but is so laughably out of date that it is hard to read with a straight face. The section on windows does not even list vinyl as one of the options. It might be a good starting point for someone with no experience, but it is past time for a serious make over.
55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
mixed bag, 2000-07-12
This book is a combination of two books. The first and largest section is an older, existing book on building a sealed-in structure up to the external millwork. The second section covers the interior, to include mechanicals, drywall, flooring, tilework, and then outside to decking.The first section is older and written from a bit of the "new age" alternative housing viewpoint that was popular in the '70s but has ever since branded builder-owners as kooks. Examples are given of log homes, geodesic domes, and sod houses that may be just a tad tough to get financed and are certain to have your subdivision up in arms. There was no mention of cutting-edge energy-efficient building materials such as SIPs or concrete-filled styrofoam. That being said, the rest of the section is a strong primer on building a stick-built house from foundation to roof with lots of photos.
The second section was more up to date, but not as comprehensive as the first section. Drawings replaced photos. The chapters on indoor millwork, drywall, and flooring are good, but the chapters on electrical and plumbing lack. There is nothing on HVAC.
I will keep this book for the exacting step-by-step tutorial on stick building and interior woodwork.