This book helps the reader save a great deal of money by demonstrating how to manage the project and act as one's own contractor.

A Homeowners Guide to the Custom Home Building Process introduces the new homeowner to the paperwork and processes that it takes to build a home from the ground up. The Homeowners Guide walks you through contractor selection, bidding and contract administration, all the way to project completion. You will learn of some warning signs along the way, so you dont get taken advantage of. Building your new home can be an enjoyable experience, by educating yourself, staying positive, and visualizing the outcomeyour dream house. I have personally known Christy for over twenty years. Christy is very personable, honest, hard-working, and dedicated. She has an excellent understanding of the construction industry and associated paperwork, and her estimates have always been accurate. Paul U. Dritenbas, AIA, principal architect

-- Covers the subject from land issues, through the entire construction process, all the way to plandng the lawn.-- Contains anecdotes, real life examples, diagrams, applicable political comment and special exposition on such subjects as basic electricity, Radon, energy saving, windows and much more.-- Written for the aspiring home owner, but is equally valuable to building professionals and real estate agents.

You deserve a home that meets your specific needs and desires! If you find yourself dreaming of the perfect patio, the ideal kitchen, and inviting rooms where you love to spend time, it might just be time to start building! With Building Your Custom Home For Dummies, you won’t have to feel intimidated as you plan, finance, and oversee construction on your new oasis. You’ll learn what it takes to build a custom home, including which pros to call and when. This updated edition also covers the latest in real estate and home construction trends, including smart homes, green building, and banking options. It's more important than ever to live in a home that’s truly how you want it, truly your own. Now is the perfect time to get started—if you’re still in the dreaming stage, this book will help you identify your style and articulate your vision. If you’re further along in the process, you’ll benefit from checklists and pointers on reviewing architects’ plans, evaluating contractor bids, flipping the home you build, and more. The latest guidance on building a beautiful home on any budget New ideas for high-tech homes with low carbon footprints Step-by-step instructions for securing financing, hiring architects, and finding reliable contractors Advice on how to invest your home-building budget wisely and plan for the future Building Your Custom Home For Dummies takes you from finding the perfect homesite through laying the foundation to framing and finishing—in the friendly Dummies style you can trust.

Keep construction on track with helpful checklists Turn your dream of a custom home into reality! Thinking about building your own home? This easy-to-follow guide shows you how to plan and build a beautiful home on any budget. From acquiring land to finding the best architect to overseeing the construction, you get lots of savvy tips on managing your new investment wisely -- and staying sane during the process! Discover how to: * Find the best homesite * Navigate the plan approval process * Obtain financing * Hire the right contractor * Cut design and construction costs * Avoid common mistakes

Shows homeowners how to stay within one percent of their budget Delivers the perfect balance of information--covers everything homeowners need to know without overwhelming details Ready-to-use worksheets save time and money Tells homeowners who to meet with, when to meet, and how to track progress and control costs

Save 30% on home construction! Whether you want to take on all the responsibility of contracting your home or simply want to intelligently communicate with your homebuilder, The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home can help you save 30% or more on the cost of home construction by teaching you the ins and outs of managing your construction project. Learn how to get your project off to a solid start. Get financial and legal details in language you can understand. Learn what to consider when selecting a lot and how to deal with suppliers, labor and subcontractors. Gain understanding of building codes and inspections so you can manage with authority, confidence, and efficiency. This extensive guide walks you through each phase of construction including preconstruction, foundations, framing, roofing, plumbing, electrical, masonry, siding, insulation, drywall, trim, painting, cabinetry, countertops, flooring, tile and landscaping. Completely revised and updated, this edition includes a new section on sustainable building as well as the most comprehensive building resources section ever compiled. You'll find schedules, order forms, control logs, contracts and checklists to help keep your project on track.

You can have the home of your dreams! This comprehensive guide walks you through every decision and addresses all the details that most homeowners don't even know to consider. In this step-by-step, room-by-room handbook, Susan Lang considers every aspect of your homebuilding or remodeling project, such as how to Hire the right architect, interior designer, and builder Design each room to perfectly fit your family's lifestyle Plan ahead so all your storage needs are met Determine the perfect placement for light fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets Save money by avoiding costly design revisions or building change orders You'll find helpful forms and checklists that will keep you organized and assist you in clarifying your needs. And if you're worried that building your dream home might turn into a nightmare, Designing Your Dream Home covers the most common mistakes that homeowners make and shows you how to avoid them. Susan Lang has thought of everything, so you won't have to.

Lockhart and Carroll take readers step by step through a series of helpful illustrations that present solutions for building a home.

Build a quality home - and save money at every stage of construction! &break;&break; You dream about building a perfect home. But you just don't see any way to come up with that kind of money. &break;&break;So bring down the cost. Be your own general contractor and save on every aspect of building your home. Do some of the easier work yourself and the savings can soar even higher. You can do it without compromising quality. &break;&break;Part-time work, big-time equity! &break;&break; Build Your Dream Home for Less is jammed with construction information, including the smallest money-saving detail. Keep your regular job, work on the side as general contractor, and build in equity as you build your home. &break;&break;Woodson has organized his book to match the progress of your project, from weighing the decision about wearing the general contractor's hat all the way to moving in without marrying anything. Here's just a taste of what you'll find inside: &break;All you need to know about being your own general contractor &break;How to work with materials suppliers &break;What to keep in mind when selecting subcontractors &break;A close, cost-conscious look at each phase of construction &break;Materials options, and pros and cons of each &break;An appendix with sample forms and contracts &break;&break;You dared to dream, dare to try? &break;&break; This is a dollars-and-cents book. And a build-it-right book. You'll learn how to recognize quality at each stage of construction. Build Your Dream Home for Less is the book you need to make your goal a reality.