The Complete Guide to Building your Own Home and Saving Thousands on Your New House

by Hollowell, Jennifer

• ISBN13: 9781601382436
• ISBN10: 160138243X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-12-30
• Publisher: Atlantic Pub Co

Summary

This new book takes you through all the steps of building. Learn how to choose a site, draw up a construction time line, apply for loans, obtain insurance information, work with subcontractors, comply with building codes, select features, prepare plans, and get permits. This book will detail money-saving options and environmentally friendly techniques, while allowing you to monitor the materials and the workmanship, fine-tune the design, and make sure the results are what you envisioned.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 13
Getting Started	p. 17
Why Build Yourself?	p. 17
The Benefits of Building Yourself	p. 21
Misconceptions About Building Yourself	p. 25
Your Role as the General Contractor	p. 32
Finding and Managing Subcontractors	p. 36
Going Green and Environmental Considerations	p. 39
Preparing for the Process	p. 43
Planning and Organizing	p. 43
Budgeting Your Project	p. 46
Hiring a Contractor	p. 48
Dealing with Insurance Issues	p. 52
Planning and Scheduling	p. 57
Planning a Timeline	p. 57
What Types of Schedules Are There?	p. 60
Why Should You Plan Accordingly?	p. 63
Act As If You Are a Business	p. 65
Planning Steps	p. 68
Essential Tools and Equipment	p. 70
Financing Your Project	p. 75
Types of Construction Loans	p. 75
How to Use Debt to Your Advantage	p. 78
Shop for the Right Terms	p. 79
Finding a Building Lot	p. 83
Location and Geography	p. 83
Finding the Perfect Building Lot	p. 86
What is the Difference Between a Lot and Land?	p. 91
What is the Value of Your Building Site?	p. 92
Should You Deal With Tearing Down Property?	p. 95
Buying Your Building Site	p. 98
House Plans	p. 105
Designing Your Home	p. 105
Determining Your Requirements	p. 108
Obtaining Accurate Bids	p. 111
Getting the Plans and Permissions	p. 114
Finding the Right House Plan	p. 117
Heating and Cooling	p. 121
Types of Heating	p. 121
Types of Heating Systems	p. 124
Types of Cooling Systems	p. 127
Air Cleaners and Humidifiers	p. 132
Ceiling Fans	p. 134
Fireplaces	p. 136
The Beginning of Your Castle (Phase One)	p. 143
Permits, Building Codes, and Inspections	p. 143
Groundwork and Excavation	p. 145
Foundations, Footers, and Slabs	p. 146
Underground Plumbing	p. 150
Backfilling, Drainage, and Landscaping	p. 152
The First Nail (Phase Two)	p. 157
First Things First	p. 157
Frame Your House	p. 158
Cap it Off: Roofing	p. 162
Windows and Exterior Doors	p. 167
Decks and Porches	p. 171
Siding and Trim	p. 173
It Looks Like a House! (Phase Three)	p. 177
Electrical and Plumbing	p. 177
Insulate	p. 181
Drywall and Trim	p. 182
Finish Off the Kitchen	p. 188
Finish Off the Bathroom	p. 190
Working the Walls	p. 195
Flooring	p. 195
Kitchen Cabinets and Counterpoise	p. 198
Bathroom Vanities	p. 201
Finish Plumbing and Electrical	p. 204
Stairways	p. 206
Lighting, Hardware, and the Accessories	p. 211
Types of Light Sources	p. 211
Home Lighting Uses	p. 213
Lighting Terms	p. 217
Hardware: Doors and Drawers	p. 220
Interior Priming and Painting	p. 223
Appliances	p. 225
The Final Inspection	p. 231
Landscaping, Your Drive, and Walkways	p. 235
To Pave or Not to Pave	p. 235
What to Know About Driveways	p. 236
Paving Materials	p. 237
Walkways	p. 239
Traditional or Xeriscaping	p. 241
Ponds and Pools	p. 242
The Finish Line	p. 245
Preparing for Taxes	p. 245
Punch List	p. 247
Moving in and Managing Your Investment	p. 249
Setting up a Maintenance Plan	p. 254
Spending Now or Later	p. 259
Case Studies	p. 260
Conclusion	p. 263
Interview Questions	p. 267
Sample of a Subcontractor Suggested Interview Questions	p. 267
Sample of a General Contractor Interview Questions	p. 268
Checklists	p. 271
Sample of a Financial Inspection Punch List	p. 271
Worksheets	p. 277
Sample of a Budget Worksheet	p. 277
Sample of a Lien Waiver	p. 278
Sample of a Monthly Planning Worksheet	p. 279
Sample of a Weekly Planning Worksheet	p. 279
Bibliography	p. 281
Biography	p. 283
Index	p. 285
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.