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by: Fernando Pages Ruiz
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Book Description -- The first comprehensive guide of its kind, Building an Affordable House is for homeowners and building contractors who want to incorporate proven cost-saving techniques into their projects. Written by a contractor who has been nationally recognized for his innovative approach to cost control, this book shows readers how to generate significant savings on major projects such as building a new home or adding on to an existing one. The first section provides an economical approach to planning projects, while the second reveals the quality-conscious, cost-cutting strategies the author has uncovered through direct construction experience and extensive consultation with industry experts. The third section covers finish details from drywall to flooring, with emphasis on saving money without compromising quality or distinctive results. Handy features include floor plans, resource listings, and project management tools.
Easy to Understand -- As a builder, I have often looked at a set of drawings, or a budget versus job cost report, and thought to myself, "There has got to be a better way." I could only wonder how much time and money the inevitable scheduling problems, subcontractor conflicts, and ever-growing trash pile was costing me. I knew that our practices were wasting time, money, materials, and resources, and that ultimately we would all pay for it. But understanding that there is a problem is a long way from knowing what to do about it. Earlier in my career, I would have paid dearly for the knowledge contained in this book. Come to think of it, I did.
Architect, designer, builder, subcontractor, or prospective homeowner -- you owe it to yourself to read Building An Affordable House. The modest price of this book is the only way I know of in construction that you can easily get a 100 to 1 return on your investment.
Although this book is easy to understand and conveniently organized, it is not just a collection of tips and tricks. It is a comprehensive examination of the residential construction process from foundation to roof, with practical techniques that you can take to work with you tomorrow, and philosophy you can consider for the rest of your career.
It is the unusual builder who can simultaneously cut the price while improving quality, but Fernando Pages Ruiz shares decades of diligent study and hard-won professional experience to teach anyone how to do just that. I have used many of the ideas and techniques described in this book, and many more were new to me. Every one of them contributes to the process of building a comfortable, durable, and more enjoyable home at a lower cost. The importance of high-quality affordable housing for the health and happiness of families and communities cannot be overestimated, and this book makes a significant contribution toward that goal.
Dave Crosby builds affordable, green-built houses in New Mexico and writes for the Taunton Press and Hanely-Wood
Readable, informative and revealing -- As a builder, I have often looked at a set of drawings, or a budget versus job cost report, and thought to myself, "There has got to be a better way." I could only wonder how much time and money the inevitable scheduling problems, subcontractor conflicts, and ever-growing trash pile was costing me. I knew that our practices were wasting time, money, materials, and resources, and that ultimately we would all pay for it. But understanding that there is a problem is a long way from knowing what to do about it. Earlier in my career, I would have paid dearly for the knowledge contained in this book. Come to think of it, I did.
Architect, designer, builder, subcontractor, or prospective homeowner -- you owe it to yourself to read Building An Affordable House. The modest price of this book is the only way I know of in construction that you can easily get a 100 to 1 return on your investment.
Although this book is easy to understand and conveniently organized, it is not just a collection of tips and tricks. It is a comprehensive examination of the residential construction process from foundation to roof, with practical techniques that you can take to work with you tomorrow, and philosophy you can consider for the rest of your career.
It is the unusual builder who can simultaneously cut the price while improving quality, but Fernando Pages Ruiz shares decades of diligent study and hard-won professional experience to teach anyone how to do just that. I have used many of the ideas and techniques described in this book, and many more were new to me. Every one of them contributes to the process of building a comfortable, durable, and more enjoyable home at a lower cost. The importance of high-quality affordable housing for the health and happiness of families and communities cannot be overestimated, and this book makes a significant contribution toward that goal.
Reviews:
Chock full of good ideas -- This book has snappy writing and good ideas, but seems to suffer from "magazine-frenzy-layout." By that, I mean there is at least one color picture per page (even gratuitous ones), stylish diagrams, pull-quotes, and sidebars. But sometimes this is just distracting. Some of the ideas are not explained or pursued, which leads me to suspect that portion of the text was lifted as-is from a magazine article. The book is only 200 pages (light-weight pages considering so many extraneous pictures.)
Sorry for so much griping, but I have come to expect more from Taunton Press, and it is sad to see their quality slipping.
HAVING SAID all that, I still liked the book and highly recommend it. It is refreshing to have such forward-thinking ideas presented all together in one place and compared. I appreciated especially the chapter on insulation for its side-by-side analysis of several alternatives to the "standard" fiberglass batts.
Best construction book on the market -- As a residential designer of green homes I am always struggling with showing my clients how building green is a good investment. This book gives you the information you need to make a strong resource efficient home that saves the client money.
I will be using the information in this book for the rest of my career. Everyone in the building trades owes it to themselves, their clients and the planet to read this book and implement its techniques. With any luck this book will also help to change the archaic building codes which infest the building department of every county and city in the US.
Buy it and encourage your building associates to buy it too! You will be so glad you did.
Building an Affordable House
Fernando Pagés Ruiz
Trade secrets to high-value, low-cost construction
If you are a builder, developer, or homeowner intent on getting the most from your new home construction or remodel budget, you need Building An Affordable House. This book gives you the insider techniques used every day by the best homebuilders in the country to save thousands of dollars on the cost of every home they build.
Building An Affordable House will help you:
. Add curb appeal on a budget
. Cut costs and keep quality
. Build savings into blueprints
. Learn secrets of reducing material costs
. Get subs on board from the get-go
About the author
Fernando Pagés Ruiz is a builder with nearly 30 years experience designing and building high-quality, affordable homes. He is a regular contributor to Fine Homebuilding magazine and hosts a weekly radio show on home building and maintenance issues
Building an Affordable House
Fernando Pagés Ruiz
Trade secrets to high-value, low-cost construction
Foreword
How to Use This Book
1. Money Matters
A Hard-Dollar Cost Approach
The Affordability Equation
Achieving Blueprint Democracy
Every House Can Be Built Better
Great Expectations
2. Design
Building a Better Box
Using a Modular Planning Grid
Inner Space
Lot Basics
The Language of Affordability
3. Foundations
Concrete Is the Traditional Choice
A Soils Test Is a Good Investment
Concrete: More than the Basics
Do You Really Need a Footing?
Consider Alternatives to Conventional Foundations
Slab-on-Grade Foundations Are Affordable
Sealing Foundation Walls
4. Framing
Optimum Value Engineered Framing
Building Walls the New Way
Prefabrication Is the Future
Alternatives to Wood Walls
Floor Framing
Stairways
Girders, Beams, and Posts
Installing Subfloors
Engineered Floor Systems
Framing the Roof
Installing Framing Connectors
5. Plumbing: Less May Be Better
Smart Layout Cuts Costs
Rethinking Supply Lines
Choosing Drain, Waste, and Vent Lines
Saving with Stainless Steel Gas Tubing
Shopping for Fixtures
6. Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning
Take an Active Role in Planning
Selecting the Right Equipment
Sizing Equipment for the House
Planning the Network of Ducts
Fresh Air Is Important, Too
7. Wiring and Light Fixtures
Fine-Tuning the Site Plan
Devising a Smart Floor Plan
Reducing Lights and Switches
Choose Wire Gauge Carefully
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters
Consider Aluminum Wire
Recessed Fixtures Save Money
8. Insulation
Making the Building Tight
Plug the Small Gaps, Too
The Airtight Drywall Approach
Choosing the Right Insulation
9. Windows, Doors, Driveways, and Walks
Pitched Roofs Are Better
For Siding, No Maintenance Is Best
Economizing with Doors and Windows
For Walks and Driveways, Skip the Concrete
10. Interior Finish
Design One Detail at a Time
Making the Most of Drywall
Choose Paint Carefully
Installing Interior Trim and Millwork
Saving in the Kitchen
Flooring Makes a First Impression
Appendices
Index