5 comments about Your New House: The Alert Consumer's Guide to Buying and Building a Quality Home.

1. This is the single best homebuying book we've found. The section on binding arbitration clauses alone is worth the price of the book. Concise, sensible, at times overly cautious -- this book is a necessary skeptical foil to overenthusiastic homebuyers who may be getting themselves into a rotten home or rotten purchase agreement. No, it's not perfect. I'm sure some of the technical information is incorrect. All homebuying books suffer this problem. But the 1-star reviews of this book are inconceivable. Perhaps they were written by shady builders or sellers who are upset that this book is scaring away unwary buyers?



2. I am a first time buyer and wanted to make sure that I was getting the best deal at every end of the process. I read this book and although many parts of it were good, it did not apply to my situation. This book is excellent for those that are building a custom built home with a builder. If you are looking to buy a production home (centex, KB, pulte) this is not the book you will want. I found some of the examples to be informative, but overall I will need another book to answer my questions. I hope my review helped.



3. I read three books: Cellers to Ceilings, Build It Right, and Your New House. All were good, but Your New House was by far the best of the three. Your New House was very thorough with information from beginning to end in building (and buying) a new home. Lots of information to protect the consumer and includes websites for additional information and products. Highly recommended reading!



4. Seven years ago we decided to build a house. I had never, ever heard one person who thought doing so was a good idea. I know the authors of this book seem hooked on horror stories, but it's all to the good because it's all true. In fact, by using the book's suggestions, we not only built a wonderful house, but our builder brought it in at $17,000 under budget. We've lived in the house for seven years and I've recommended this book to countless people. Don't know if it's been updated since I read it and things do change, but if you're a novice at homebuilding and don't want to be taken, this book should be number one on your reading and USING list.



5. I bought this book (2nd edition) to help me as I built a semi-custom home in 1997, after seeing a review of the first edition that emphasized the dark humor. Now I'm updating to the latest version because, quite simply, it's an unmatched, consumer-advocate view of building a house or buying a new house, and we are getting ready to build a custom home. Existing home buyers should probably look elsewhere, because this book focuses on new-construction perils and pitfalls.
   No, it's not a guide for understanding the custom home financing process or even the building process in depth, because custom and semi-custom builders all work a little differently. But taken in a holistic sense, as a guide for intelligent and careful individuals, it's a gem. Dark humor and an Eor-like pessimism is a little hard to swallow at first, but it epitomizes "plan for the worst, hope for the best." I'm an aerospace engineer, a contracts specialist, and a government consultant, but I don't build houses and this book provides the critical path to success.
   I recommend it highly!
   And for all those who took the tone of this book too seriously...try reading its "Deadly Serious Copyright Page" with references to "Mr. Mac N. Tosh" and "Mike Crow Softword" and credits such as "Authors' hair by Carol Crespin and Jack Snook." Bravo to the authors for their insights, intelligence, and dry wit!

No comments about Formwork For Concrete Structures.

No comments about Junk Beautiful: Outdoor Edition.

No comments about Management of Construction Projects: A Constructor's Perspective.

5 comments about The Hip Girl's Handbook: For Home, Car, & Money Stuff.

1. This book is fantastic! I am sending it for Christmas or birthday gifts to all of my married and single friends. It is so practical - especially the car tips - but also just a great book to read. There is definitely no book like this. Most helpful books are boring "how to" books - but not The Hip Girl's Handbook. These authors were able to include helpful information in a clever way so that this book is witty and fun to read. It also has an easy layout so I can reference what it is I am looking for pretty quickly.

   I just wish I had this book years ago when I was first on my own away at college. I would highly recommend this book for any woman (or even young woman) who is, or wants to be, independent!




2. This is a great buy for anyone out on their own for the first time, or for those of us who couldn't quite get it right the first time! Since reading it, I can now boast some stellar Hip Girl tire changing skills. And, just about the only thing clean in my apartment are the pipes which I now routinely tend to because of this book. My plumber boyfriend couldn't be more proud!



3. To a girl on her own for the first time, every small catastrophe is a threat to her burgeoning independence, even to her sense of identity and self. Corny as the title (and cover, fonts, and optimistic writing) may be, "The Hip Girl's Handbook for Home, Car, & Money Stuff" is a godsend and lifesaver. As a perpetually frazzled young woman who has been on her own for a couple years now, I can sincerely tell you that every new, horrifying experience in maintenance has been its own trauma worth calling the police department or landlord over (like the time I smelled gas, frantically called the fire department, and they laughed as they relit the pilot on my stove, for instance). But Jen Musselman and Patty DeGregori take the horror out of the inevitable, giving young women the power and knowledge to take on each catastrophe with a clear head.
   
   The book is arranged just as the title implies: the 'home' section talks about picking out a home, navigating the breaker box, and unclogging pipes--things no girl should have to turn to a repairman or neighbor for. The 'car' section lends comprehensive advice as to the maintenance and repair of every gal's automobile, as well as how to recover control of the car in times of enormous distress (and the section delegated to Road Tripping alone nearly one-ups Cameron Tuttle?s "Bad Girl's Guide to the Open Road"). And lastly, the 'money' section pares down managing a checking account, as well as combating identity theft, into equally understandable, dare I say manageable, scenarios.
   
   Not two days after I'd purchased my own copy of the book, I bought one for my best friend; do the same for the gals in your life. This is the one book every girl should keep front-and-center. The information jam-packed into this smiley little reference book is outright empowering: knowing how to take on every circumstance, no matter how wee or how devastatingly harrowing, gives a young woman both the confidence to take matters into her own hands, and consequently the blessing of new independence.



4. I bought this book thinking that it would be a nice guide to have after reading all the other great reviews. However, this book is not all that. Most of the stuff in it I already knew. It is a good book if you are completely clueless about this stuff, however, for those that know SOME stuff about the subjects I recommend that you pass on it and find another book.



5. This is an essential for the independent Hip Girl who needs answers quick. A very fast and entertaining read. I highly recommend it!

5 comments about Commercial Refrigeration for Air Conditioning Technicians.

1. this book i a very comprehensive and well rounded in the real work workings of referation. I would recomend this book to anyone that is interested in furthing there knowledge in refrigeration field.



2. If you are looking to move from air-conditioning to refrigeration service,all the information you need is inside this book!!



3. If you've done some HVAC work but find yourself stumped the first time you work on a freezer or frig, then you need this book!. This is a world of oil losses, hard to know line pressures, strange refrigerant valves and controls and head masters, etc. And this book will explain them all to you with lots of plain talk, plain examples, great drawings, and even a cd-rom of animation. And best of all, it has a page of "Rules of Thumb", such as; High Efficieny (seer) condenser splits = 20 degrees and below. And since refrigerant recovery of freezers and frig's are far more common place than HVAC work, it covers several methods of evacuation and recovery. This book has lots of troubleshooting notes and lots of pictures and all the basics of refrigeration from motors, capillarys, TEV'S and defrosters through superheat and critical charging and so much more. I own many hvac books and this one absolutely stands out as a 'must have' book ! Another good book to have when you want to "master" the trade, is Technician's Guide to Refrigeration Systems'by Corinchock. And of course, Troubleshooting and Servicing Modern Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems by Tomczyk. Warning that Tomczyk's book is sold as several books, each with a few chapters, so only buy the complete book I mentioned above, else you will have duplicate text.



4. the book is well put together and provides well thought out information, as well as being in depth enough to help anyone serious about the HVAC/R trade. I hate spending money for bad books and am happy to recommend this book for purchase. Buy it.



5. book not what I anticipated, not much on refrigerated systems, good if you want to learn the overall operation on normal hvac systems. expected much on refrigeration systems, got disapointed, not worth the cost of book.

1 comments about Architectural Trim: Ideas, Inspiration and Practical Advice for Adding Wainscoting, Mantels, Built-Ins, Baseboards, Cornices, Castings and Columns to your Home (Home Design Details).

1. I found Nancy Berry's Architectural Hardware such a great design tool that I had to have this book as well. Great series!

5 comments about The New Yankee Workshop.

1. I've built the blanket chest, bookshelf and chest of drawers. The only problem I had was with the chest of drawers. The dimensions allow for only an eigth inch overhang on each side of the drawer front. By adding one eigth to each side of the drawer width, you only get the width of the opening, not an overhang, and a lot of side-to-side play in the drawer. You need to make the drawer about 1/2" wider than the plan. Other than that (which should of been caught by Norm's general caveat of measure twice, cut once), I really like the book and the narratives that go along with the project. Compared to the measured drawings that you can buy directly, you are better off buying the book and interpolating a few measurements.



2. I think others have gone over this before. A few of the projects have some errors in the lay out. Kind of bad IMO, but is made up for in the very pleasing aesthetic of these items. I have made a few of them and all I can say is they look very nice when done. They have a clean Shaker style that works well in most homes and IMO is fun to make. Most items are not difficult to build and while they have some fun design elements that can make you work a bit, are not hard for the average woodworker to finish. As others have noted, Norm like the power tools. That is not a big deal, in that just because he uses them does not mean that you have to. I approached this book is like most "how to books". You look at the pictures, take what you like and discard the rest. How you put it together depends on the type of tools you have and what techniques you like to use in the shop. I do not think the average woodworker will have much problem with these projects and the beginner will have lots of fun building very respectable things that will look nice in the house.



3. As always and as expected if you have watched his shows, Norm Abram has done a really good job explaining how to put together really nice pieces of furniture.



4. This is one of those books I've never regretted buying. Norm Abram has this way of describing the operations that makes you feel like you can do it. He makes everything look easy.
   
   One thing he does that gives me the willies is a lot of plunge cuts with the table saw, circular saw, and router table. Many of us wouldn't try it, but then again, many of us weren't professional carpenters first. ;) Be aware of that and consider alternate methods.
   
   This book is refreshing because it was early enough in Norm's career that he didn't have big sponsorship, and he had a lot of more humble tools like the normal guy can afford. Most of it is old & worn, but of good quality. It gives us average guys hope that outstanding furniture can be made with a more modest budget.
   
   The overall style of the furniture is old American; lots of Shaker stuff. (simple, but slim, boxy, tapered legs) If you don't like this style, be sure to find the book in the flesh before deciding whether to buy it or not.



5. this book is recomended for the more advanced wood worker. it requires you to have a more skillfull knowledge of woodworking. a dove tail jig is a must and a clear knowledge of tools is highly recommended for many of these projects in this book.

No comments about The Complete Guide to Outdoor Wood Projects: Step-by-Step Instuctions for Over 50 Projects (Black & Decker Complete Guide).

5 comments about Excavation and Grading Handbook.

1. This is a book written for apprentice operating engineers. As such, it teaches the basics of road survey, grading, compaction, pipe laying, stakeout, drainage. It goes into detail on how to read survey stakes, mark and read witness lath, calculate differences in height, read and use a hand level, stake slopes, layout a subdivison, find the bottom elevation of pipelines, proper compaction of road base, and just about anything else a road worker could think of. This is an easy to use paperback book with many drawings which help explain the text. I can't tell you how useful this book has been to me.For those readers that are involved with excavation, survey, inspection (me), contracting, this book IS MUST HAVE.



2. Like one of the other reviewers I am a homeowner/handyman I was hoping to find a book on the proper way to grade, dig, etc...
   
   This book is for the civil engineer, or project manager. It gives a good overall idea on the general concepts on how to do things related to grading/excavation. However, this book will not give you enough knowledge to do a project without additional experiences/references.
   
   If you were a contractor who was getting ready to start a new job and needed to gain some general knowledge on a type of job you do not normally work, this book would be a good starting point.
   
   If you are not a contractor, unless you are about to start a REALLY BIG job, with multiple pieces of large equipment, this book is of the wrong scope for you.



3. A great book for those who are new to site work on construction sites. Some things are outdated, esp. pictures, but it is a must have. Look for a survey 101 book as well.



4. This book will help answer questions you might have about
   about survey stakes ane plan reading. I reccommended to every operator outthere.



5. The only book of any kind that I have ever returned. Appears to have been written in the 60's. Revision must have been just to update the copyright date. A complete waste of my time!