Neenah Public Library

How to be your own contractor and save thousands on your new house or renovation while keeping your day job, with companion CD-ROM, Tanya R. Davis

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

How to be your own contractor and save thousands on your new house or renovation while keeping your day job

bibliographyhandbooks

903709367

Tanya R. Davis

with companion CD-ROM

In this completely updated and totally revised second edition, you will learn how to choose a site, draw up construction time line and flow charts, apply for construction loans, obtain essential insurance information, buy plans, find and negotiate with subcontractors, and comply with building code, inspection, and permit requirements. The ins and outs of self-contracting are explained, combined with the experiences of others, and with dozens of forms and checklists at hand, you will learn all about: building materials and foundations, windows, decks, roofing, plumbing, heating, wiring, air-conditioning, and much more. There are hundreds of tools, contracts, and checklists to help you get your project organized and save you thousands! The companion CD-ROM is included with the print version of this

Introduction: -- Your objectives -- Focus -- Are You Ready To Tackle The Custom Home Process?: -- Can you design your own home? -- Myths about building your own home? -- What it takes to DIY -- Your responsibilities -- Your attitude -- Can I save money? -- Common problems -- Advantages -- Create a workbook -- True financial ability -- Set a budget -- Decisions, decisions -- Choosing a lot: what to look for -- Lay of the land -- Budgeting for land purchase -- Checklist for buildability verification -- Checklist for the lot you are considering -- Home design checklist -- Chapter 1 checklist -- Plans: -- Where to find house plans -- Draw your own -- Design software -- Architect versus designer -- Architects and remodeling -- Building green -- Green building room by room -- Electricity -- Indoor air -- Green floors -- Outdoors -- Green remodeling -- Placing your house on the lot -- Contents of house plans -- Design considerations -- Potential problems -- Basements: how important are they? -- Designing to save money -- Seven steps to the perfect home design -- Chapter 2 checklist -- Pre-Construction Activities: -- Steps of construction -- Draw up the construction schedule and flow charts -- Many steps involved in construction -- How to form a construction schedule -- How to form a construction flow chart -- Cost estimation -- Chapter 3 checklist -- Financing: -- Prequalification -- Shop around -- Your shopping list -- Loans and points -- Which loan is better? -- Draws -- Types of loans -- When to apply -- Obstacles -- Checklist for construction loan documents -- Chapter 4 checklist -- Financing For Remodeling: -- Financing a remodeling project -- Applying for the loan -- Chapter 5 checklist -- Insurance: -- Title insurance -- General liability insurance -- Worker's compensation insurance -- Course of construction insurance -- Other insurance -- Homeowner's insurance -- Ensuring safety on the job site -- Offer supplies onsite -- Safety inspections -- Chapter 6 checklist -- Find And Negotiate With Subcontractors: -- Importance of the subcontractor -- Where to find potential subcontractors -- Bidding process -- How to check out your contractors -- Selecting the right sub -- Contractual language -- Paying subcontractors -- Getting results from your subcontractors -- Paperwork -- Contractor checklist -- Chapter 7 checklist -- Renovating A Home: -- Home appraisal -- Home inspection -- Environmental testing -- Extreme makeovers -- Return on investment for some remodeling projects -- When feelings interfere -- Remodeling checklist -- Chapter 8 checklist -- Comply With Building Code, Inspection, And Permit Requirements: --Design review: understanding what is allowed -- Building permits -- Permit checklist -- Inspections -- Chapter 9 checklist -- Building Materials And Foundations: -- Where to purchase building materials -- How to save on building materials -- Sample take-off list -- Siting the house on the lot -- Readying the site for construction -- Foundation -- Chapter 10 checklist -- First Stages Of Construction: -- Framing -- Floors -- Walls -- Roof framing -- Roof materials -- Saving money on roofing -- Roof overhang -- Flashing -- Chimneys -- Gutters and drainage -- Ventilating the roof -- Exterior walls -- Exterior finishing checklist -- Plumbing -- Plumbing checklist -- Electrical -- Lighting -- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning -- Electrical checklist -- Chapter 11 checklist -- Kitchens: -- Remodeling a kitchen -- Chapter 12 checklist -- Bathrooms: -- Bathroom sizes -- Simple or elaborate -- Tile work -- Chapter 13 checklist -- Putting On The Finishing Touches: -- Drywall -- Painting and finishing -- Ceilings -- Woodwork and railings -- Garage doors -- Pools and equipment -- Decks -- Chapter 14 checklist -- Potential Hazards And How To Prevent Them: -- Radon, asbestos and lead -- Mold -- Termites -- Carbon monoxide testing -- Chapter 15 checklist -- Potential Problems And Common Mistakes: -- Designing a house that is too unique -- Financing -- Project is taking too long -- Subcontractors did not finish the job -- Money ran out -- This project is putting strain on my marriage/family -- Lesser evils -- Getting it wrong -- Controls -- Conclusion: -- Final word about saving money -- Appendix A: Resources: -- Websites -- Magazines -- Associations -- Other good stuff -- Appendix B: Sample Forms Checklist -- Appendix C: House Building Glossary Terms -- Index