Tips & Traps When Building Your Home

America's No. 1 real estate expert shows you how to build the home of your dreams from the ground up! You've done it! You've decided to take the plunge and build your dream house. how hard could it be - just build a house with everything you've always wanted in it - simple, right? Wrong! When designing and building their own home, many people fall into a minefield of mistakes that can cost them time and money. There are countless decisions to make and questions to answer before your vision can become a reality. Do you know what to look out for? Should you hire an architect or should you buy stock plans? Do you have what it takes to act as your own general contractor? What are the different types of building materials available and what are their advantages and disadvantages? How do you finance the lot and the construction?Best-selling author of the popular "Tips and Traps" series, Robert Irwin now guides prospective homeowners through every step of the building process. Irwin shares his personal experiences and solid advice with detailed insider information on the in's and out's of home construction. Whether you're building a vacation home or the house of your dreams, don't make another move without this valuable resource!

Getting Started. Chapter 1: Why Build It Yourself? Chapter 2: Designing Your Home. Chapter 3: Building an Energy-Efficient Home. Chapter 4: Finding the Land. Chapter 5: Is the Lot Buildable? Chapter 6: Hiring a Contractor. Chapter 7: Be Your Own Contractor. Chapter 8: Getting the Plans and Permissions. Chapter 9: Getting Accurate Bids. Chapter 10: Cost-Cutting Ideas. Chapter 11: Getting Financing. Construction. Chapter 12: Sitting the House and Preparing the Lot. Chapter 13: Building a Strong Foundation. Chapter 14: Framing and Sheathing. Chapter 15: Roofing. Chapter 16: Electrical and Plumbing. Chapter 17: Drywall and Trim. Chapter 18: Finishing Off the Kitchen. Chapter 19: Finishing the Bathroom. The Aftermath. Chapter 20: The Tax Man Cometh. Chapter 21: Deciding When and If to Sell.