The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home: A Step-By-Step Method for Managing Home Construction

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.


About the Author
Kent Lester got his start in construction by designing and building his own home at age 25. In recent years, he has build and remodeled homes professionally, sold accounting and CAD software to builders, and now provides consultation and we development services to businesses and construction firms.

Dave McGuerty built his own custom home and is currently a data processing consultant in California.