If you buy only one housebuilding book it better be this one!

books:

	• Do-It-Yourself Housebuilding: The Complete Handbook George Nash Sterling, 1995 - 704 pages average customer review:based on 22 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Dreams Can Become Reality

My husband and I DID build our own house over fours summers with a hammer in one hand and nails in the other. I am sitting in it right now at my computer.

We began with old versions of Sam Clark's and Robert Roskind's self-builder books. (The new versions have much expanded chapters on interior finish work.) They are very good for FUNDAMENTAL concepts such as design, load limits, materials and tools needed, time estimates, etc. But it was Nash's that really gave us the DETAIL we needed to do so many of the jobs required of us, ranging from stair building to laying tile to putting up interior tongue-and-groove wall board to installing hardwood flooring. Of course, the book doesn't cover everything you MIGHT want to do. For instance, we put a concrete counter top in the kitchen and had to go to Fu-Tung Cheng's book for advice and direction.

The point is that housebuilding is a BIG commitment. If you wish to, or have to, do it yourself, it will take SEVERAL BOOKS AND RESOURCES. My advice is to look at various books at your local public library then purchase the ones you think best for you.

But rest assured, housebuilding is a realistic endeavor for any healthy individual. Even people over 50! But for every hour spent building, back it up with a couple hours researching. The research is invaluable and I highly recommend Nash's Do-It-Yourself Housebuilding as your point of reference.

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Everything you need to know.

This book contains everything you need to know about building most homes. If you want to be the contractor, I recommend that this book be acccompanied by "The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home" by McGuerty & Lester. It has sample schedules, contract, etc. But I use this book more for the know-how of building a home.

THIS IS THE BOOK TO OWN IF YOU WANT TO TALK INTELLIGENTLY TO YOUR BUILDER AND KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR DURING CONSTRUCTION! It will tell you EVERYTHING! I started out with a builder that was planning to be shady and knowing stuff in this book scared him off. I knew too much for him to cut important corners. I asked specific questions and he fled. My current builder and I have good relations and we can intelligently talk specifics of the trade because of this book.

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If you buy only one housebuilding book it better be this one!

Comprehensive! I built myself a house and am now happily working in the construction trade. If you are planning on building a stick-built house this book will serve by itself--if you buy multiple books it will be the one you keep referencing. Sam Clark's "Indepedent Builder" is helpful for design ideas (and is stronger in that area) and general contemplation, but Clark does not provide the details you need to know when you finally put your tool belt on and start building. I don't understand other reviewer's complaints about the (high) level of detail or the lexicon involved. If you are about to build a wall you should want to know everything you can about it--Nash leaves extremely little guess work. Every sentence tells something worth knowing. If you are working with all the various structural and decorative pieces that make up a house you want to know what to call them, and Nash employs a reasonably consistent terminology. The black and white pictures might be a little dark but there are plenty of very helpful and clearly drawn line drawings--parts are labeled and you can get the lingo down quickly if you really want to. Overall, you just couldn't ask for a more patient, thoughtful, and thorough writer--any gripes are so minor they aren't worth voicing. I am grateful to have this book!!

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Great Book for DIY enthusiasts

George Nash has written a number of great books on carpentry around the house. This is a great book to have for those who love to understand how their house is built and how they can fix things.

Wow! It's the best.

For the Owner-builder, or others doing very advanced home building/repair. Actual hands-on building, limited designing sections. Very condensed explanations on the various different construction techniques. Does not get 5 stars until it's updated with modern materials; i.e. SIPS and encapsulated concrete walls. Plus more on PEX plumbing and Cat 5 wiring needed. Overall, excellent reference shelf staple.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

?Clearly written text is complemented by nearly 1,800 illustrations as well as a solid index. A great introduction to the issues of housebuilding. Recommended.??Library Journal. ?The most complete one-volume work that I?ve seen on how houses and their systems are put together.? ?Fine Homebuilding.

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