Cob, a structural composite of earth, water, straw, clay, and sand, has been used for centuries, in virtually all parts of the world, to create homes ranging from mud huts in Africa to lavish adobe haciendas in Latin America. This practical and inspiring hands-on guide teaches anyone to build a cob dwelling.
Hundreds of thousands of us renovate, convert, extend and improve our homes each year, and one-third of all new detached homes are self-built. If you're looking to build your own property from scratch or work on your existing home, this is the book for you. Home building expert, and bestselling author David Snell draws on his expertise and personal experiences of building his own bungalow to bring together the essential information that you need when building your property. Covering everything from budgeting and finance, to evaluating the land and dealing with suppliers this comprehensive guide takes you through the basics to ensure that you are well-equipped to deal with any challenges or problems that may arise. Fully up-to-date and packed with authoritative advice, this practical handbook is essential reading for everyone from those building their own home, to anyone planning some home improvements.
"I began building tiny houses back in 2009 when I built one for my mom. The house she was living in was starting to fall apart and become unlivable, so I knew I had to find her alternative housing. After researching various options I discovered the tiny house movement and realized that it was the perfect solution for her. A tiny house could be constructed to very high standards and still be affordable, plus it can be easily moved"--Author
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.
If you are one of the more than five million South Africans who are deeply in debt, or would like advice on how to become and stay debt-free, this is the book for you ... Figures from the National Credit Regulator Credit Bureau Monitor show that more than 9.5 million people have bad debt records, as they have fallen behind on their repayments. And this figure is bound to increase as many more turn to credit to survive rising food and fuel costs. A bleak picture indeed. But much-needed and timeous help is now at hand with this useful guide to eliminating personal debt. This condensed but highly informative book will help you to assess the extent of your debt and what to do about it; assist you in drawing up a budget and sticking to it; and provide you with options on how to best pay off your debt and create new spending habits in order to live debt-free. It is essential reading for each and every South African who finds him- or herself trapped in debt, whether you are just starting out, are in mid-career or facing retirement. Because it is possible to live a debt-free life, and live it well!
From the bestselling author of The Small House Book, comes a collection of designs for tiny homes with “instant curb appeal.” (The New York Times) From internationally recognized small living expert Jay Shafer, who has been featured on CNN, Oprah, Fine Homebuilding, and This Old House, a revised edition of his bestselling book, Tumbleweed DIY Book of Backyard Sheds and Tiny Houses. Ranging in size from 100 to 120 square feet, these tiny backyard buildings can be used as guest cottages, art or writing studios, home offices, craft workshops, vacation retreats, or full-time residences. This book is filled with photos, elevation drawings, and door/window schedules for constructing six of the handsome little buildings, plus an extensive how-to set of instructions that can be applied to any backyard building project. This revised edition contains many new photos of buildings designed by Jay Shafer. Praise for Jay Shafer and Tumbleweed Tiny Houses: "... guru of the small house movement." —John Blackstone, CBS "Move-in ready gems." —Better Homes and Gardens “Astounding." —Oprah Winfrey "A visionary designer ..." —Domino Magazine "100 square feet of bliss." —Thelma Guiterrez, CNN
This fully-illustrated guide offers a quick and easy visual reference for installing electrical systems. Whether you're installing a new system or repairing an old one, you'll appreciate the simple explanations written by a code expert, and the detailed, intricately-drawn and labeled diagrams. A real time-saver when it comes to deciphering the current NEC.
Being a homesteader today may seem difficult; the world is full of so many gadgets and conveniences, many of which most of us consider necessary to live a full and happy life. In this collection, edited and arranged by Jay Cassell, you’ll see that going off the grid, adapting to your surroundings, and depending on yourself and your land is really not as challenging as one may think. With the information and tips you learn in this book, you’ll easily find success as a modern-day homesteader. The essays featured in The Ultimate Guide to Self-Reliant Living were written by some of today’s most respected outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen, nature enthusiasts, agricultural professionals, and successful homesteaders. Through the information on these pages, you will learn the best techniques and approaches concerning: Hunting, fishing, and trapping Foraging Growing and preparing your own food Animal husbandry Living off the grid Building barns and outbuildings Green living Country skills Alternative energy, such as solar panels and windmills Primitive survival skills, such as making fires and finding shelter