Habitat for Humanity: How to Build a House: Revised and Updated
Product ID: 2616923
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The essential, single-volume resource from the world's leading authority on community home building: Learn to construct a durable, energy-efficient, quality house from foundation to finish. Whether you are a dedicated Habitat for Humanity volunteer, a first-time DIY homebuilder, or a professional looking for efficient construction methods, this comprehensive manual is your indispensable guide. Written by veteran carpenter and long-time Habitat volunteer Larry Haun, t his book distills decades of on-the-job experience into simple, manageable tasks that anyone can follow. Aligning perfectly with Habitat's mission to provide safe, affordable housing, this book emphasizes quality craftsmanship and cost-saving techniques. It is the best single-volume resource to empower you to contribute to a building project or take on the monumental challenge of constructing your own home with confidence. This revised and updated edition features over 350 color photos and 100 diagrams to provide crystal-clear, step-by-step guidance on every critical phase of construction. Key features: Step-by-step guidance : Learn every stage of home building, from site preparation and laying the foundation to framing, roofing, siding, and finishing touches. Expert advice from a pro : Larry Haun, with decades of experience in construction and working with Habitat for Humanity, provides easy-to-understand instructions along with insider tips and best practices for quality workmanship. Illustrations and diagrams : Packed with detailed illustrations, photos, and diagrams, the book breaks down complex processes into simple, manageable tasks that anyone can follow. Updated methods and materials : Reflecting the latest in c onstruction techniques and sustainable building practices, this updated edition includes information on energy-efficient materials and eco-friendly building methods. Perfect for volunteers and DIY builders : Whether you're volunteering with Habitat for Humanity or building your own home, this book is designed for those who want to learn how to construct a durable, affordable house with minimal experience. Pre-Construction Essentials: Expert advice on site evaluation, understanding permits, handling residential codes, and choosing the right tools and materials for the job. Review: Best Book for Home Building Basics - I'd have given 4 1/2 stars if I could. I've built part of my tiny home using mostly this book. It was the best book (by far) I found for a novice builder. I think it would also be great for anyone wanting to know the basics of building- a habitat volunteer or budding carpenter/ apprentice. It's easy to read and It seems quite thorough for basic building but not so comprehensive that it's overwhelming- just right in my opinion. Its conciseness and readability means that there are compromises made in detail that limit it's application to basic practices. I've found (the hard way) that building even a tiny house is complex and there are often different ways to do things and it can be hard to know what's best. Often this book will explain the differences but sometimes (again for brevity) not so much. For one example, I found a window flashing method that I like better than Haun's in The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling, by Charlie Wing (another good companion to Haun's book as is: Working Alone, by John Carroll). For the most part though, this book is an invaluable resource. Ideally, use this book along with one or more others (such as the others I referenced) and, if you're lucky, enlist the aid of a trustworthy builder for consultation when questions or problems arise. I needed all of these for building my house but this book has been the most valuable and trusted part of the "team". Haun also has some youtube how tos and another book or two that are helpful. Review: Best beginner book for building houses! - This is the best book to learn the basic overview and steps of how to build a house! There's more information in this book than some $200 courses! I give this 6 stars if I could. Lots of pictures and detailed insights, pro tips, money saving tips, and helpful insights and wisdom in this book.
| Best Sellers Rank | #45,404 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #14 in Carpentry #40 in Home Design & Construction (Books) #54 in Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 522 Reviews |
J**S
Best Book for Home Building Basics
I'd have given 4 1/2 stars if I could. I've built part of my tiny home using mostly this book. It was the best book (by far) I found for a novice builder. I think it would also be great for anyone wanting to know the basics of building- a habitat volunteer or budding carpenter/ apprentice. It's easy to read and It seems quite thorough for basic building but not so comprehensive that it's overwhelming- just right in my opinion. Its conciseness and readability means that there are compromises made in detail that limit it's application to basic practices. I've found (the hard way) that building even a tiny house is complex and there are often different ways to do things and it can be hard to know what's best. Often this book will explain the differences but sometimes (again for brevity) not so much. For one example, I found a window flashing method that I like better than Haun's in The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling, by Charlie Wing (another good companion to Haun's book as is: Working Alone, by John Carroll). For the most part though, this book is an invaluable resource. Ideally, use this book along with one or more others (such as the others I referenced) and, if you're lucky, enlist the aid of a trustworthy builder for consultation when questions or problems arise. I needed all of these for building my house but this book has been the most valuable and trusted part of the "team". Haun also has some youtube how tos and another book or two that are helpful.
J**N
Best beginner book for building houses!
This is the best book to learn the basic overview and steps of how to build a house! There's more information in this book than some $200 courses! I give this 6 stars if I could. Lots of pictures and detailed insights, pro tips, money saving tips, and helpful insights and wisdom in this book.
B**N
Can't Wait to Build Our House!
My husband and I are thinking about building our house and Habitat for Humanity's 'How to Build a House Revised & Updated' is an invaluable guide, offering clear, step-by-step instructions for anyone interested in home construction. The book's commitment to empowering individuals to create sustainable, affordable housing aligns perfectly with Habitat's mission. A must-read for aspiring builders and community advocates alike!
N**N
Helpful but some places need more detail
It gives a good overview for many options, but in the pieces I needed in my project it was not quite all I needed (slab for example). Still well worth purchasing gave me ideas and things to think about
J**H
Well written, covers how to build a shell.
Very informative. Focuses on framing and some foundation stuff; doesn't cover electric or plumbling systems. I have a much better understanding of the process and terminology.
G**.
Worth the money
Great book with clear, color photos and is professional quality printing, it may not cover every little thing for every situation but it certainly has enough information to assist a do-it-yourselfer to build a house,
A**R
Useful
Bought this for my husband. He found it very useful.
W**.
This is a Great "How to" Book.
This book is well-written and includes high-quality photos and diagrams. It teaches the vocabulary and has "Tips" inserted at critical points as well. Very helpful.
D**O
Buch: How to Build a House
Sehr interessante Buch wenn man sich für amerikanischen Holzbau interesiert. das Buch ist in englischer Sprache. Gute Englisch Kenntnisse erforderlich.
M**S
Comprehensive and useful guide.
Comprehensive and useful guide for the novice builder. Don't know if I'll ever use it build a full size house but I have recently build a summer house and this book to give me lots of hints and tips. Having this as a go to guide made some of the building processes so much easier and I've found myself wanting to build more. So much so I've offered my services to my family and friends. Would really recommend to anybody wanting to build anything from a summer house like myself to a full size wooden building.
R**T
Very good book
Would be nice if they published an updated version with some of the newer technology that go into new homes, but this book is written very well for people wanted to build (or follow along with someone else building) their house.
G**V
Bueno
Muy buen libro de referencia, no profundiza de manera técnica en el tema, pero explica de una forma práctica y fácil de entender el proceso constructivo de una vivienda de madera. Recomendado para arquitectos, diseñadores, carpinteros, constructores, etc. En lo personal es un tema que me interesa mucho. 10/10
A**O
セルフビルドの勉強になりました
セルフビルドの勉強になりました。 日本でもこういう風に、誰でもオープンに住宅を作れたらいいですね。
Trustpilot
1 month ago
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