Be Your Own House Contractor

Simple language with no technical jargon. (The New York Times) This excellent book offers the average person a way to say 25% of the high cost of a new house. Recommended. (Library Journal) For those who are considering building a home (or addition) this book is a must! (American Homeowners Foundation) If you can balance a checkbook, read, and deal with people in a fair manner, you can build your own house or addition. You don't need any technical knowledge or building skills - in fact, you'll never pick up a hammer. With veteran contractor Carl Heldmann as a guide, you'll learn that you can get exactly the house you want, done the way you want it, for less. In this completely revised and updated fourth edition of his classic how-to book (more than 185,000 copies in print), Heldmann gives an overview of all the steps of building and includes a glossary of building and business terms and sample contracts. He tells how to: Select land Secure financing Develop house plans Establish schedules Identify cost-saving options Select subcontractors Negotiate contracts Buy materials and supplies Estimate building costs