Rating: 
Summary: You'll be wishing you didn't
Review: This book is an absolute joke. For professionals save your money, I wish I had. I bought Mr. Carroll's layout volume and thought he did a fair job of presenting the subject. On this one he should have worked alone for a few more years. Actually he should have consulted with more profesionals who have way more experience and ideas of getting the work done, staying safe, and doing it professionally. I cannot recommend this book to profesionals or homeowners.
Rating: 
Summary: A Thing Well Done
Review: This book is marvelously well illustrated and the text is very lucid and conversational. I think there is not a wasted sentence in the entire book. Clear explanations throughout. Interestingly, the last 8 pages deal with the limitations, when the author recommends NOT working alone, and he explains his reasons completely and convincingly. Throughout the book, he explains not only how but why, in terms of relating his experience.
Rating:
Summary: Speaking as a novice...
Review: this book was extremely helpful to me in building a detached room for my son. The book was recommended from a website about building small houses, so I reserved it through our library. Having read the book, I found the tips and explanations for framing rafters provided clarification for the sketchy instructions from the 5 other books we have about building outbuildings. Perhaps using clamps and homemade jigs to support work is a given for a professional, but it was an eye-opener for me! I did extensive renovation on my historical house, but had help from friends to do it. Building this room from the ground up mostly alone is a different matter. I wish we had this book when we were trying to square the foundation. I am now ordering the book for myself, as the library wants their own book back!!
Rating:
Summary: Speaking as a novice...
Review: this book was extremely helpful to me in building a detached room for my son. The book was recommended from a website about building small houses, so I reserved it through our library. Having read the book, I found the tips and explanations for framing rafters provided clarification for the sketchy instructions from the 5 other books we have about building outbuildings. Perhaps using clamps and homemade jigs to support work is a given for a professional, but it was an eye-opener for me! I did extensive renovation on my historical house, but had help from friends to do it. Building this room from the ground up mostly alone is a different matter. I wish we had this book when we were trying to square the foundation. I am now ordering the book for myself, as the library wants their own book back!!
Rating: 
Summary: The pros are right.
Review: While I don't do so at the moment, I have made a living as a contractor. This book may be great for a novice but if you're a pro and don't know most of this stuff already maybe you should find someone to apprentice to...I did learn one or two things, but this book is no where near the tome of magic answers some of the reviews imply it is.
Rating:
Summary: The pros are right.
Review: While I don't do so at the moment, I have made a living as a contractor. This book may be great for a novice but if you're a pro and don't know most of this stuff already maybe you should find someone to apprentice to... I did learn one or two things, but this book is no where near the tome of magic answers some of the reviews imply it is.
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