Overview
Don't let your biggest investment become your biggest mistake. Build smart.
Cut the cost of building or remodeling your home in half by doing your homework, shopping smart and swinging a hammer. Builder Michael Conroy constructs house after house for an astonishing $43 per square foot - half the national average! And with the help of this book, you can, too.
So what's the secret? Squeezing a dollar at every stage of the project:
- Location: Make money by buying undervalued land. Get more for less by adding a road, removing trees or subdividing the lot.
- Home Design: Slash costs by adding stories, simplifying the floorplan and adding amenities that cost very little.
- Materials: Do a good job with economical materials; simple tricks like using plywood headers save a bundle.
- Crack the Code: Learn how following the building code to the letter will always save you money.
- Hire the Right Contractors: Find the people who will do the work right and for the right price, too.
- Do Some Work Yourself: Installing your own insulation or roofing won't save you any money, but painting, plumbing and wiring your house will.
Synopsis
While a number of books teach readers how to build houses, no book shows them how to save up to 50 percent while building the home of their dreams until now. In this guide, builder Mike Conroy:
*Gives readers the money-saving know-how to save 50 percent or more while building their home
*Offers insider tips, secrets from the pros, and finance-savvy techniques in an accessible package
*Provides photos, illustrations, floor plans, charts, and budget sheets to make the information accessible to new homeowners
Homeowners who want to build or remodel as well as building professionals will welcome the dollars they save after reading this book.