What Your Contractor Can't Tell You is a comprehensive guide to getting the best results while building or renovating a home. Most homeowners spend about 20% of their time on the plan and 80% of their time on a messy, traumatic, expensive construction phase. Pros spend 80% of their time on the plan and 20% on a smooth construction phase. But the homeowners can't know what goes into a solid plan unless someone tells them. This book is based on a simple premise...if homeowners knew even 10% of what the professionals in the construction field know, they could avoid 90% of the problems. Creating a dream home shouldn't be a nightmare. Hiring a contractor is an enormous investment and a high-risk endeavor involving decisions that will last forever. This book equips homeowners with the information and strategies needed to turn their vision into a home or a renovation that can be built on time and within budget. Chapters give detailed coverage of critical topics: design; selecting and supervising the architect and contractor; cost estimates; budget; plan specifications; contracts; dealing with town officials; and keeping track of everything along the way. For each stage of the project, there is detailed information on common pitfalls and how to avoid them, as well as insiders' tips which reveal what most contractors can't tell you. This book was previously published by Warner Books (2004) and titled What the "Experts" May Not Tell You About Building or Renovating Your Home.
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About the Author
Amy Johnston is a Construction Manager and Owner's Representative based in Burlington, Vermont. She grew up renovating homes with her family and went on to build and renovate several of her own. For her clients, she has spent the last twenty years managing the design and construction or renovation of residential homes, affordable housing projects, historic downtown restorations and commercial spaces, totaling over a hundred buildings. As liaison between the parties on so many projects, Amy enjoys a unique perspective on the dynamics of successful design and construction. She is also the owner of Dreamhouse Institute,(dreamhouseinstitute.com), offering training seminars in construction management for both professionals and homeowners. It was her students in these seminars who insisted she write this book. Amy also speaks publicly on the topic and appears regularly on CNN's Open House.
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First Sentence
This chapter takes the broad view of the project and answers a lot of important questions. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
This chapter takes the broad view of the project and answers a lot of important questions. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Jokanuk
Format:Paperback
As the owner of a Design Build Company I receive numerous queries from friends and colleagues about renovating and building. In my role within the company I spend 20% of my time educating people I meet (both prospective leads and paying clients) about the processes of design and construction. I was looking for a resource I could pass along to friends and clients to assist them (and me) as they prepare for the long journey they about to undertake. Having read through this book over the course of a weekend I have to say this is one of the better books available. It's takes a far more holistic approach than any of the others I have perused. As with all "help" books not everything applies and as is stated within - always make sure you understand the requirements of your jurisdiction.
If you are planning to do a renovation over $50,000 or have a house built, you should read this book. An educated consumer is a better consumer!
If you are planning to do a renovation over $50,000 or have a house built, you should read this book. An educated consumer is a better consumer!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is a great book for anyone considering renovating or building thier home! The language is easy to understand, the organization is easy to follow and I cannot even count how many pitfalls we avoided by following her advice. Thanks so much!!!
Format:Paperback
Many kudos to Amy Johnston! I now know the "language" and what to expect in my quest to remodel a kitchen. Countless magazines and $ spent could not even touch the amount of solid and very readable information that this book has to offer.
This unassuming paperback is where I should have started months ago. Better yet, it has a sense of humor!
This unassuming paperback is where I should have started months ago. Better yet, it has a sense of humor!
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