Customer Reviews
Common Sense....... 
2007-11-23
I came about this title from a seminar with SMA Consulting Group in Utah. Working in the residental sector, I feel it is imperative to understand and grasp the concepts outlined in this book. From prelim all the way through, having the mindset up front to reduce costs and refine construction should be a must for anyone in any type of market, custom to production. Many of the items dicussed are currently in use with some of the larger builders in the nation and the returns from those practices are proof that this elements can used and applied across the board. Even if you think your business must design and build inefficient homes in order to make the sell, you are missing the point and potential. Any market can do this, it just requires you to be creative within a framework. Reducing material waste and labor costs can be done by using some of these simple and common sense practices. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to increase their margins and reduce their costs. If your designer cannot work within these ideas and concepts, maybe it's time for a new designer!
Not very useful for an owner builder 
2007-10-28
I bought this book and "The Owner Builder Book" before I started building my own house. "The Owner Builder Book" was a very useful tool while this book mainly served to warn me about building techniques used by some contractors to save money, barely meeting minimum building codes. I'd recommend looking at this book in a library before buying to see some of the house pictures. If they look like things you'd be happy with (uncased doors and windows, carpeted stairs, closets without doors, wire closet shelves, stairs with knee walls instead of balustrade, laminate counters and fewer doors and windows to save money), then buy it. It could save you some money.
One of the Best Books on Home Building 
2007-09-18
If you are planning on building your own home, reading this book is a must! This book goes beyond the typical how to be your own contractor. You will find very valuable information on how to get the most house for your money. Unlike many other books, it gives information on specific building products and lists the pros and cons. I have read many books on this subject and this was by far the most useful.
The only item I completely disagree with in this book is the portion in which the author recommends using a "Wood Foundation". If you every lived in a home that had termites, the last thing you want is wood touching dirt.
The author writes the book from a builder's perspective. His intent appears to be helping other builders find a niche in building a high quality home at the lowest possible price. If you want information on the most luxurious products and home plans, you will not find it in here. Regardless of the book's focus on value, it contains copious amounts of useful information for all people who are considering building their own house or having a home built for them.
A must have resource for anyone planning to build 2007-05-28
Both beginners and experienced professionals should feel the contents very easy to understand. It is filled with lots of illustrations and as the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words".
A big bonus is all the illustrations in color that bring alive various arguments made by the author. I may not agree with all the suggestions from the author 100% but I can say that I would have been "flying blind" without this book.
In about 200 pages, this book pretty much summarizes what you need to do control your budget and to catch the low-hanging fruit first.
Many options, use selectively 2007-01-07
This book presents a wide range of cost-saving options on the foundation, framing, insulation, and other components of a new house. You have to pick and choose the ones that work for you. For example, if you have a beautiful view and a mild climate, you may not want to cut costs by reducing the number of windows.
Instead, you can (for example) avoid a costly over-built foundation that is designed for more demanding climates.
The author does not advocate building a "cheap" (sub-standard) house. In fact, in some parts of the book he recommends avoiding choices that would reduce up-front costs (for instance, by laying polyester carpet over an inexpensive foam pad, or by installing an electrical panel with room for fewer breakers).
Many of his suggestions simply challenge conventional practices that have no engineering rationale (spacing studs 16" oc instead of 24", using 3-stud corners) or alternative products (such as Insulating Concrete Forms) that are not necessarily cost-effective.
I think this is a very helpful book. If nothing else, it can alert you to the kinds of details that periodically need re-thinking when you follow one construction practice over another. Then if you want to put more money into an extravagant staircase or other detail, you'll have some ideas about how to pay for it without going over budget or cutting dangerous corners.
Luke warm 
2006-11-02
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.
Author defends premise 2006-08-10
I have read the critical reviews, and they state in general terms that the advice given in my book helps builders save building costs at the expense of energy efficiency and durability. This puzzles me, given the emphasis I place stressing the difference between cheap housing and housing that achieves a high value in relationship to its cost. This book was not written by a journalist, but a builder. A builder in a small community where a people know you by name, and can find you at home. If I built low quality homes, my business would end within a year. Instead, I win awards, municipal contracts to build high profile projects and enjoy an excellent reputation. All my houses qualify for Energy Star certification. Because of my reputation and track record, HUD chose my company to build the 2006 Concept House--a house that showcases the best in modern construction methods. In fact, I live in one of my own homes and in one of my own neighborhoods. How many developers can face their buyers on a daily basis? Having practiced the trade of affordable homebuilding for most of my life, my book simply offers a trade memoir of my experience along with information gathered among the best builders in the nation--the kind that set the standards. The approach I outline in the book certainly applies to affordable housing, but it works at any price point. It is a method to achieve the best value for each dollar spent. You, the reader, set the "value" standard. For example, as a homeowner, I used the methods prescribed build my house at a cost of about 75-percent of its value, allowing me to afford a much nicer home than my income would suggest--affordable to me. And in an extreme climate, my utility costs remain negligible. My book will not help you build a cheap house, but it will help you save money while building an energy efficient, durable home.
Fernando Pagés
Brighton Construction Company
1941 K Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
402-434-2456
Fax-434-2458
Conflicts of Interest 2006-08-09
There seems to be a bit of a difference in opinion in the reviews listed here as to whether or not this book is mainly of benefit to contractors, or to homeowners and do-it-yourselfers. My impression of the book is that it is aimed largely at the contractor who wishes to cut as many corners as possible in order to get-in the lowest bid or come-in under budget.
With that said, I will not argue that any of these cost-cutting measures actually results in a weaker structure or building of lesser quality. I am simply not qualified to give an opinion, as I am not a structural engineer. However, focus here seems to be on the minimum allowable standards that will get the job done.
Probably the most important single thing worth mentioning here is the fact that many of the cost-cutting tips mentioned are not in the best long-term interest of the homeowner. It might save the contractor money, but the homeowner will ultimately end-up paying the price through increased energy usage, a shorter building life-expectancy, and decreased resale value. Let's face it, a neighborhood with well-built homes in it is going to attract a different type of buyer (with more money), as opposed to a neighborhood full of cheaply-built, small "affordable housing". In real estate, it's all about "location", and I wouldn't want my home in the same neighborhood as someone with a cheaply built house.
The author occasionally delves into issues involving the real cost of the methods suggested, which I would equate with Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Unfortunately, the TCO concept is not mentioned at all for most of his tips. Just for example, he suggests reducing the number of windows in a home, because it initially costs more money to install windows than walls. Sounds great, but the amount of energy that could be saved over the lifetime of the home by careful placement of windows that provide a home with passive heat from the sun make this a penny-wise, pound foolish proposition. Besides that, if you happen to be building in an area with a great view, a lack of windows will greatly reduce the home's resale value. Of course, none of the above is of any concern to the professional contractor, who just wants to build a house as cheaply and quickly as possible.
There were some really good tips in this book. It is unfortunate that most of them were only based upon initial building costs and not TCO. This conflict of interest between the contractor and the homeowner really makes it of limited use for the latter group.
Excellent, worthwhile book 2006-02-24
This is the best book for an owner/builder with no construction experience I've read. It clearly explains a lot about construction, and when and how cutting costs will impact only the bottom line, not the quality of the finished product. I feel that I've gained a great deal of knowledge that helps me make decisions on what's important to me, and I know this knowledge will be invaluable in my home design and acting as general contractor for my home.
Great Book for Building Your Own House 2006-02-02
The author has many significantly valuable insights that are usable if you are considering building or building your own house. His information is up-to-date and the book offers plenty of illustrations. I plan to use many of his ideas in the home that I am planning on building this spring.
