Build It Right: What to Look for in a New Home

by Myron E. Ferguson

Book Overview

Completely rewritten and updated, the revised edition of Build It Right! is more useful than ever to people building or buying a new home. An improved format and many more illustrations make the book... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0965485609
• ISBN13: 9780965485609
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Home User Press
• Length: 315 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

One of the best books I've read on building a new house ...

The author does an excellent job of walking the reader through the residential build process, beginning with lot selection, choosing an architect and builder, design, and construction. This book is rich with helpful, practical, and useful information on a variety of topics, including windows and doors, the electrical and non-electrical wiring, HVAC, and plumbing. The suggestions offered are straight-forward and are common sense ideas that will help anyone building a new home. Recommendations such as wiring garage door openers to an electrical switch that can be turned off while the house is vacant as a security precaution, installing a basement floor drain for high-efficiency furnaces or if a humidifier is installed, using a mixing valve to bring both hot and cold water to an outside hose bib, are just a few examples that are offered. I found the section on kitchen design/layout, countertop selection, and exhaust systems very useful, as it caused me to alter some of the design I had previously done in the construction of my home, which will prevent me from experiencing certain issues that I may have otherwise overlooked.Having built 2 homes previously and having read 4 books on this topic in the past 2 months, I can tell you without reservation that this is the most-comprehensive, organized, and easy-to-read book I have found available on this topic thus far. I would highly recommend the material for anyone who is either building a new home or planning to undergo a renovation of their existing house. For first-time home builders, you will find this book invaluable.

The best book written for the first-time builder!

Not only was this book easy to ready, but it was extremely informative. I bought several books after my husband and I decided to build a new home and this was the best. Whether you're doing your own contracting or hiring one, this book explains, in detail, what makes a good home and what is sloppy or poorly designed construction. It makes you think of things you might not have -- such as leaving enough clearance when building cabinets so you can walk around the open diswasher, or checking to make sure the interior doors all swing the right way so they don't open into each other. It talks about insulation, cabinets, heating and air vents, placement and number of electrical outlets you should have, etc. Truly, a wonderful book. I followed almost every suggestion that applied to our construction.

I am so glad I read this book before buying a house!

Thanks to super low inventories of resales in our region, it looks like we will be forced to build our new home. Since this is a new experience for us, we have dozens of questions and concerns. After reading this book, I was able to get a good night's sleep for the first time in a week!I felt like I had become a more informed consumer. The book by no means replaces a reputable home inspector but I don't feel so overwhelmed about design choices and construction practices.We borrowed this book from the library but we will be buying our own copy.

Attention to Detail

This book points out all the major and minor problems to avoid when laying out each room in a house. Excellent insight and reasoning behind why a builder does things one way and the home owner finds out it should have been done another. Good suggestions on phases of construction to scutinize.

An essential aid for home buyers and first-time builders.

I am writing as both a book publishing consultant and a former builder, with experience working on new custom homes and tract condos, as well as remodeling. From a publishing perspective, Myron Ferguson has done a very capable job of creating a title that is well-designed, well-written, and clearly illustrated. You will find it simply organized and easy to use. From my experience as a builder, I have to say that this is one of the most informative and valuable aids a home buyer or first-time builder is likely to find. Myron's engineering background is apparent, but just as evident is his common sense about how to put the parts of a house together so they work for you, instead of against you. There is great detail here, and all of it is useful. This book will turn the casual reader into an instant expert, supplying him or her with savvy that would take many years to acquire on the job. Buyers or builders, do yourself a favor and read this book !