Product Description

This book should be required reading for anyone who is thinking about building or renovating a house. The savings involved can make the difference between just dreaming about that dream house and actually building it.

The primary message behind Be Your Own House Contractor is “You can do it!” According to construction expert and author Carl Heldmann, anyone can oversee the building of a house and save up to 25 percent by acting as the main contractor. This popular book has sold over 268,000 copies since it was first published in 1982.

Written for those with little or no experience in the building trades, Be Your Own House Contractor clearly and simply lays out the steps involved in home construction and answers the many questions that arise. Concise chapters deal with:
•Locating and purchasing land
•Procuring financing
•Estimating costs and staying within a budget
•Hiring subcontractors and finding suppliers
•Building the house
•Restoring an existing structure

An extensive appendix contains examples of the forms, certificates, and permits that are required, as well as sample contracts and plans.

The 5th edition has been fully updated and includes Carl Heldmann’s new Web site, where readers can get loan information, daily updates on interest rates, and cost estimate worksheets for planning and tracking building expenses. Other new features include new chapters on renovating and restoring an older house and a Spanish glossary of common building terms.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22810 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Review
“If you are bound and determined to plunge ahead…pick up a copy of this little book before you start.”—Gordy Holt, Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Gordy Holt Seattle Post-Intelligencer )

“If you are thinking about building a new house, or renovating your current home, first read [this book].”—Robert Bruss, San Diego Union-Tribune (Robert Bruss San Diego Union-Tribune )

“If you’re intrigued by the idea of being your own contractor for your dream house, here’s where to begin.”—Marcia Schnedler, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Marcia Schnedler Arkansas Democrat-Gazette )

"…Heldmann offers something that you can hold dear for a lifetime: the skinny on homebuilding."—Mike McCarthy, Timber Home Building, December 2006 (Mike McCarthy Timber Home Building )

Heldmann offers something that you can hold dear for a lifetime: the skinny on homebuilding.Mike McCarthy, Timber Home Building, December 2006 (Timber Home Building )

If you are bound and determined to plunge aheadpick up a copy of this little book before you start.Gordy Holt, Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle Post-Intelligencer )

If you are thinking about building a new house, or renovating your current home, first read [this book].Robert Bruss, San Diego Union-Tribune (San Diego Union-Tribune )

If youre intrigued by the idea of being your own contractor for your dream house, heres where to begin.Marcia Schnedler, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette )

About the Author
Carl Heldmann is a construction loan consultant and an expert on residential construction costs. A licensed homebuilder and real estate broker, he is co-founder of the Michigan School of Home Building and founder of the North Carolina School of Home Building. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Customer Reviews

Be Your Own House Contractor
Very up-to-date publication. Author's web site provides much additional information. I plan to build using ICF's and Geothermal heat source. Good information available through both the book and the web portal. Clearly the best and most current of the 4 similar books purchased at the same time.

Very Helpful book....
This was a great purchase that I made based on other reviews. I am using this as a template for our new construction. I would recommend this to anyone interested in building with or without a general contractor. It gave me the confidence (this and 2 other books-see my other reviews) to general our home. Make sure you order the latest edition (5th, I think). I read the reviews and all the reviews were under both the 1st and 5th edition. I have both...dont make that mistake.

Great Book!
Be Your Own House Contractor: Save 25% without Lifting a Hammer
I have read several books on this subject. This one offered the best information for the beginner. I would recommend this book for anyone considering building their own home.