The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Building Your Own Home

Rating:
Summary: Dean Johnson says so.
Review: I *love* Dean Johnson's HOMETIME TV show! He makes an idiot like myself figure out how to do repair jobs around the house. Now he has a rival: Dan Ramsey, author of an idiot's guide to building a home. Dean even wrote the foreword to Dan's book! Lots of practical advice on building a new house including whether to, instead, buy a kit home or a manufactured home. Thanks Dean. Thanks Dan!

Rating:
Summary: home building 101
Review: If you plan to design and build your own home you'll need all the help you can get-and this book is a good place to start. Its set-by-step layout, highlighted notes, detailed glossary and clear illustrations make all those thousands of things you'll need to know very accessible. After reading this book, you'll have a much clearer vision of whether building your own home is a good project for you.

Rating:
Summary: Just OK
Review: This book is strong on charm but weak on expertise. For example I think whenever your explain there are two styles of wood framing, balloon (as in light as a ...) and platform, you should point out the former, requiring studs two stories long, was replaced by the latter a hundred years ago, and is virtually unused today. On the other hand he recommends having a portable toilet on site so as not to "upset your new neighbors". Best as an introduction for beginners. You'll need to read others.