The updated 5th edition of Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings identifies the most energy-efficient home appliances by brand name and model number. Reader-friendly and packed with illustrations, this handbook helps any homeowner save energy and money. Chapters include: -- energy use and the environment -- insulating and sealing air leaks -- new window options -- space heating -- cooling and air conditioning -- water heating -- refrigeration -- lighting...and much more This book is as compact and efficient as its subject matter. Its 274 pages are crammed with money-saving information. A directory of manufacturers helps the reader access purchase information on recommended appliances.
In a savvy and thorough guide to remodeling and building homes, architect and project manager Kristina Leigh Wiggins guides us through every step of the daunting process. Whether your project is indoors or outdoors, long term or short term, big or small, you¿ll want to have Building Your Home: A Simple Guide to Making Good Decisions by your side to help you achieve the home of your dreams.
From one of the most prestigious nonprofit organizations devoted to environmental issues comes a clear, practical, and rational overview of the relationship between consumers and the environment. Paper or plastic? Bus or car? Old house or new? Cloth diapers or disposables? Some choices have a huge impact on the environment; others are of negligible importance. To those of us who care about our quality of life and what is happening to the earth, this is a vastly important issue. In these pages, the Union of Concerned Scientists help inform consumers about everyday decisions that significantly affect the environment. For example, a few major decisions--such as the choice of a house or vehicle--have such a disproportionately large affect on the environment that minor environmental infractions shrink by comparison. This book identifies the 4 Most Significant Consumer-Related Environmental Problems, the 7 Most Damaging Spending Categories, 11 Priority Actions, and 7 Rules for Responsible Consumption. Learn what you can do to have a truly significant impact on our world from the people who are at the forefront of scientific research.
Buying a new home can be an expensive endeavor. Many people dream of building their own home but mistakenly believe that doing so is not cost effective. However, you can save 20 to 40 percent or more by building your own home. In The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Home and Saving Thousands on Your New House you will discover that your dream can become reality. From basic planning to construction methods, this new book will take you through all the steps of building your own home. You will learn how to: choose a site, draw up a construction time line, apply for construction loans and financing, obtain essential insurance information, buy or prepare inexpensive plans, find and negotiate with subcontractors, comply with building codes, select features and fixtures, choose the style of the house, decide on the size of the rooms, and get building permits. You will learn about building materials and foundations, floors, walls, paint, windows, decks, garage doors, roofing, flashings, chimneys, plumbing, wiring, ceilings, floors, railings, and attics. In addition, you will learn how to design a home that will meet your needs, perform constructions tasks safely, and build amenities. This book will inform you about common problems to watch for, including foundation, roofing, walls, stairs, sidewalks, driveways, heating and cooling, electrical capacity, and wiring. This book will detail money-saving options and environmentally friendly techniques, while at the same time allowing you to monitor the quality of the materials and the workmanship, fine-tune the design, and make sure the results are exactly what you had envisioned. Atlantic Publishing is a small, independent publishing company based in Ocala, Florida. Founded over twenty years ago in the company president's garage, Atlantic Publishing has grown to become a renowned resource for non-fiction books. Today, over 450 titles are in print covering subjects such as small business, healthy living, management, finance, careers, and real estate. Atlantic Publishing prides itself on producing award winning, high-quality manuals that give readers up-to-date, pertinent information, real-world examples, and case studies with expert advice. Every book has resources, contact information, and web sites of the products or companies discussed.
Building Your Own Home A Step-by-Step Guide "This is an impressive undertaking. I've seen plenty of books about home construction techniques but this is the first one I've seen that packages construction information with the whole process of acquiring the property." --P. Gilbert Mercurio, Executive Vice President Westchester County Board of Realtors "Written by an expert in both design and construction, the book is highly readable and addresses each aspect of the home building process in terms of cost-effectiveness, quality and aesthetics." --Michel Sargious, PhD, P.Eng. Professor Department of Civil Engineering The University of Calgary Now Building Your Own Home puts complicated material into terms anyone can easily understand. From managing the construction process like a pro to mastering every legal and financial detail, you get step-by-step instruction to guide you through the entire construction process. It explains with 132 clarifying photographs and illustrations how each part of the house is built. You'll learn how to: * find a good lot and select an appropriate design * apply for a building permit, secure the best financing terms as well as the best insurance coverage * handpick top-notch independent contractors--and successfully manage their work * control every stage of construction, from door knobs to deck installation to the plumbing and electrical work Easy-to-read and filled with practical information, Building Your Own Home contains everything you need to build a customized house of your dreams.
Learn how to identify, locate, and effectively use alternative building materials, including cob, adobe, rammed earth, bamboo, cork, wool carpeting, and more. You will also learn about the structure, climate control, siting, foundations, and flooring options you gain when using these materials. Ultimately, you will come to understand that these materials are cheaper, easier to build with, stronger, more durable, and more fire resistant.
NAHB's Residential Construction Performance Guidelines were created to offer a third-party view of quality issues in residential construction (both new homes and remodeling). The Consumer Reference makes it easy to provide a copy of the guidelines to every customer. Sold in affordable packs of 10, the Consumer Reference is a great addition to your warranty claims process and: Help customers understand the basics of a properly constructed home and how it should perform during the warranty period Take action to resolve customer concerns before they escalate to complaints Exhibit your professionalism by showing that you consistently meet or exceed accepted industry guidelines Includes Residential Construction Performance Guidelines for: Site Work and Foundation Floors, Walls, and Roofs
The Complete Home Building Guidebook, written by Howard Zuckerman is based on the last 35 years of experience in building homes in the Atlanta, GA marketplace. Written in easy to understand language, this book will take the reader through each phase of the home building process. This guidebook includes numerous bullet points, charts, illustrations, photographs, checklists, forms and documents. Each of the chapters presents information that can potentially save or earn the reader thousands of dollars.CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO HOME BUILDING: This chapter discusses: -What this book will discuss-The traits of a home builder-The 4 P's of Marketing-The day to day life of a small builderCHAPTER 2: TYPES OF HOME BUILDERS AND MARKET SEGMENTATION: This chapter discusses: -The types of home builders-The types of housing marketsCHAPTER 3: LAND: LOCATING, CONTRACTING AND DUE DILIGENCE: This chapter discusses: -How to find a suitable parcel of land-How to contract for the land-Methods of purchase the land-The due diligence processes-Property issues-Legal issues-TeardownsCHAPTER 4: ASSEMBLING THE HOME BUILDING TEAM: This chapter discusses: -How to assemble the best home building team and who the various players areCHAPTER 5: DESIGNING THE HOUSE PLANS: This chapter discusses: -Finding the right house plan to fit the market and the lot-Reviewing the local demographics-What goes in a great house plan-How to find the best designer-Various types of home styles-Siting the house on the lot-Efficient floor plans-Design features-Universal design-Smart homes-Green homesCHAPTER 6: WORKING DRAWINGS: This chapter discusses: -How to find the right architect/designer-Questions to ask the architect/designer-Reading the working drawings-What to know about house plan copyrights-Items to review in the working drawings-Landscape designCHAPTER 7: SELECTING THE VARIOUS MATERIALS: This chapter discusses: -Reviewing the features of comparable homes-The house plan specificationsCHAPTER 8: ESTIMATING, BIDDING & DOCUMENTATION: This chapter discusses-How to estimate the working drawings-Various methods to estimate-The various components to estimate-How to value engineer-Estimating mistakes-How to find suitable subcontractors and vendors-How to get the various quotes-How to contract for the workCHAPTER 9: CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS: PREPARING THE BUDGETS & PROFORMA: This chapter discusses: -The price per square foot costs-Soft or indirect costs-Hard costs-Profit margins-How to determine what you can pay for the dirt-The risks associated with building-The Go or No decisionCHAPTER 10: FINANCING THE PROJECT: DEBT & EQUITY: This chapter discusses-Lot loans-Acquisition & development loans-Construction loans-Equity requirements-Construction & permanent loansCHAPTER 11: THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS: This chapter discusses: -Pre-construction-Scheduling-Construction starts-Gantt charts-Reviewing the subcontractor's work-Quality assurance-Performance testing-Potential construction issues-Safety in the workplaceCHAPTER 12: DEALING WITH SUBCONTRACTORS, VENDORS AND INSPECTORS: This chapter discusses-How to find the best trade partners-InspectorsCHAPTER 13: THE SALES PROCESS: This chapter discusses-How will the home builder market the house?-Models vs staging-Professional photographs-Curb appeal-Home builder branding-How to price the home-The monthly costs for the home buyer-Real estate commissions-Seller closing costs-When to list the home-Price negotiations-Negotiating strategies-Earnest money-Allowances-Standard upgrades-Change orders-Dealing with the purchaser's appraisal-The sales office-Traffic reports-Comparable studies -Sales techniquesCHAPTER 14: WORKING WITH THE HOME BUYER: This chapter discusses: -Types of home buyers-Pros and cons of customer home building vs speculative building-Pre-sale buyers-Types of contract-Selection of materials-Walk through of the house-Construction draws-Dealing with the home buyer's inspector-Warranty-Dealing with difficult home buyers-Dealing with real estate agentsCHAPTER 15: PRE-CLOSING, AT THE CLOSING & POST CLOSING: This chapter discusses: -Pre-closing-At the closing-Post-closingCHAPTER 16: THE BUSINESS END OF HOME BUILDING: This chapter discusses: -Setting up the new ownership entity-Licenses requires-Business plan and mission statement-Setting up your office-Employee manual-Bookkeeping/Accounting-Insurance and bonds-Accounting reports-Software-Filing system-Organizational chart-Meetings-Membership-Subscriptions-Time management-Successful business practices to followCHAPTER 17: LOT DEVELOPMEN T: This chapter discusses: -Lot development-Feasibility studies-Scaling up the home builder's expertiseCHAPTER 18: ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS: This chapter discusses: -Items to include when pricing the job-Kitchen renovations-Bathroom renovations-Basement additions-Expanding the footprint-Adding a second story-Other areas to renovate -18 Renovation mistakesPPENDIX: This section includes-A glossary of terms-Types of construction equipment-Resource links-Photography of the home building processThis book is targeted towards: -Entrepreneurs who want to enter the home building business-Small home builders who want to organize their business for profitability-Production builders who want to have a training tool for their employees-Fix and flip renovators who want to elevate their game-Individuals who want to build their new home and want an understanding of the process-The various team players in the home building process that want to make themselves more valuable to their clients-Real estate sales agents that want to understand the home building process
