Building a Dream House

By Valerie Nye -- Library Journal, 2/1/2003

Building a home begins with the excitement of planning, when anything and everything is possible. As a budget is set, land is purchased, and contractors are interviewed, the harsh realities of construction begin to sink in. The excitement is often overwhelmed by the stress of having to create a functional house within a budget with the best contractors and materials available. Even the most careful planning and communication will be fraught with mistakes and misunderstandings. Therefore, would-be homebuilders need relevant information to help them run their project as smoothly as possible.

In determining which books and other materials to purchase, librarians need to make sure each item is current, accurate, and understandable (especially for novice homebuilders). Also include "real-life" experiences for balance.

Publishers in this area range from McGraw-Hill, which focuses on books for the professional builder (e.g., Residential Construction Databook), to New Society, which features environmental titles for homebuilders (e.g., Prescriptions for a Healthy House: The Energy Saving House).

Sterling, one of the largest houses, produces an extensive collection of do-it-yourself and home design titles, and Taunton publishes an "Idea Book" series as well as titles on construction practice and theory, all written by top names in the field. Creative Homeowner publishes a variety of DIY books, including manuals specifically devoted to drywalling, laying tile, plumbing, wiring, and house framing. Specializing in sustainable living, Chelsea Green covers alternative types of home construction such as solar and straw bale houses.

As for nonprint materials, this writer found, based on her own experience, that most videos on home construction are fun to watch but are not as helpful or as practical to use as books and web sites. Video is not included on this list for this reason. Still, librarians with the budget might consider Taunton's "Do-It-Yourself" tapes, for instance, which include Laying Hardwood Floors, Drywall Hanging and Taping, and many others. (However, these are all backlist; new video clips are available only on the publisher's web site at www.taunton.com). Also, librarians can buy individual episodes of Bob Vila's Home Again program online at www.bobvila.com. Another popular TV show, Hometime produces videos on such topics as drywalling, basements, and windows, as well as the more general Building a New Home and Contracting a New Home (find more information at www.hometime.com).

Home design, philosophy, and building techniques change constantly, so collections should be weeded every six to ten years. Older titles may contain valid information and may be important for research libraries to retain, but patrons involved in the realities of construction will require the most up-to-date resources available.

In building a home construction collection, it helps to break the research materials down into five categories. "Handbooks" are general overview titles that cover everything a patron needs to know when building a home, including buying land, securing a loan, interviewing builders, and hiring contractors. Then there are practical and theoretical "idea books" that feature lots of photographs, floor plans, and design tips to inspire creativity during the design phase of construction.

Traditional DIY manuals on flooring, insulation, and more are especially helpful for those who want to do some of the construction themselves or who at least want to understand what their contractor is doing. Patrons who want to go beyond traditional wood-frame construction will seek materials on such "alternative buildings" as rammed earth homes, adobe houses, houses made of recycled materials, and precut "kit" homes like log cabins. Libraries buying titles in this category should be aware of regional trends

A final category of "regional" titles will not be explored here owing to the large number of books available. Each library will need to consider the types of homes that are popular in their geographic region, such as bungalows, cottages, cabins, and Victorian homes, before making selections.

This article will focus on materials aimed at patrons wanting to be heavily involved in the construction of their home but who will be hiring designers, contractors, and/or builders to do the actual work. However, the starred [* ] titles below will also assist those designing and building their homes on their own. Starred items are core choices for most collections.

Becker, Norman. The Complete Book of Home Inspection. 3d ed. McGraw-Hill. 2002. 289p. illus. index. ISBN 0-07-139125-8. pap. $19.95.
Becker, a professional home inspector, provides the novice homebuilder and buyer with inspection information for roofs, exterior landscaping, plumbing, and electrical, as well as tips on searching for insects and rotting materials. Helpful checklists guide readers in inspecting all parts of a home from the exterior walkway to the interior basement.

Buchholz, Barbara B. & Margaret Crane. Successful Homebuilding and Remodeling: Real-Life Advice for Getting the House You Want Without the Roof (or Sky) Falling In. Dearborn Trade. 1999. 368p. index. ISBN 0-7931-2883-8. pap. $22.95.
Written by two journalists who planned and built their own homes, this easy-to-read guidebook includes advice on prioritizing room space during the design phase, planning a budget, contracts and warranties, getting bids, ideas for interior and exterior design elements, and real stories from readers around the country. There are excellent checklists and questions to ask yourself and others during the building process.

DiDonno, Lupe & Phyllis Sperling. How To Design & Build Your Own House. 2d ed. 2002. 373p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-394-75200-7. pap. $26.95.
Much of this title is devoted to the planning stages and design elements for the home builder who wants to be intimately involved in drawing house plans. The book addresses such issues as floor plans, plumbing and electrical systems, and interior finishes. The final chapters provide enough basic information on the building process for an ambitious do-it-yourselfer to begin construction.

*Fields, Alan & Denise Fields. Your New House: The Alert Consumer's Guide to Buying and Building a Quality Home. 4th ed. Windsor Peak, dist. by Publishers Group West. 2002. 384p. bibliog. index. ISBN 1-889392-11-1. pap. $15.95.
Packed with practical advice from the consumer's perspective, this terrific volume addresses working with real estate agents, planning a budget, designing a home, assembling a building team, and understanding home inspections. The authors, who are writers and consumer advocates, suggest elements that are worth spending extra on and advise against "upgrades" that are a waste of money.

*Preves, Richard. New House More House: Solving the Residential Construction Puzzle. Portico. 2002. 256p. ISBN 0-9711044-0-9. pap. $26.95.
An architect who has worked with clients building custom homes, Preves here explains common problems most novices encounter. He familiarizes the reader with the process of building, from design through construction, and outlines the advantages and disadvantages of making specific choices during the process. The appendix includes sample contracts and agreements that will be invaluable for homebuilders getting ready to sign on the dotted line.

*Scutella, Richard M. & Dave Heberle. How To Plan, Contract and Build Your Own Home. 3d ed. McGraw-Hill. 2000. 801p. illus. index. ISBN 0-07-134609-0. pap. $34.95.
Full of basic technical information for the owner who wants to gain building knowledge for a home project, this book goes beyond floor plans and appearances to focus on construction details and considerations, from building a foundation to planning a bathroom or kitchen. Every chapter ends with a "Points to Ponder" section that summarizes what to consider when choosing building methods and addresses details that should be discussed with builders and contractors.

*Thomas, Lawrence with Robert Batcheller. HomeBuilding Pitfalls: Insider's Guide to Getting the Quality New Home You Deserve. 2d ed. New Community Pr. 2003. 200p. index. ISBN 0-9719550-9-3. pap. $24.95.
Aimed primarily at readers having homes built by big builders in planned communities, this volume offers specific advice on researching builders and neighborhoods, understanding the visual traps found in model homes and enticing "upgrades," negotiating the sale of the home and lot, understanding contracts and warranties, hiring a home inspector, and communicating with the job supervisor. A series of good appendixes discuss common problems with moisture, concrete, plumbing, and wood construction.

*Woodson, R. Dodge. Build Your Dream House for Less. Betterway Bks. 1995. 185p. bibliog. index. ISBN 1-55870-383-7. pap. $18.99.
This excellent title, written by a professional contractor, explains the unknown elements of general contracting to the novice homebuilder. The author organizes the building process, proposes ways to save money, and suggests valuable DIY projects for the homeowner.

*Altman, Adelaide. ElderHouse: Planning Your Best Home Ever. Chelsea Green. 2002. 256p. bibliog. ISBN 1-931498-11-3. pap. $19.95.
Written by a professional architect and interior designer, this is a great book for senior citizens moving into a smaller home, baby boomers planning their retirement home, or younger homeowners interested in building a house that will accommodate them for a lifetime. The first section is full of ideas for creating a safe and comfortable home for wheelchair access or for a time in our lives when we are less nimble. The second section addresses the psychology of moving to a new smaller space in the later years of life.

Eck, Jeremiah. The Distinctive Home: A Vision of Timeless Design. Taunton. Feb. 2003. 234p. illus. index. ISBN 1-56158-528-9. $40.
An architect who has designed residential structures, Eck firmly believes it is possible to build creative houses without a large budget. He discusses a home's site placement, examines the flow of activity within a modern home, and encourages the reader to think of rooms beyond their traditional uses. Eck's book encourages creativity and provides a series of color photographs for developing sound ideas.

The Elements of Style: A Practical Encyclopedia of Interior Architectural Details from 1485 to the Present. S. & S. 1997. 568p. ed. by Stephen Calloway with Elizabeth Cromley. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-684-83521-5. $70.
A useful resource for homebuilders, remodelers, interior designers, and those wanting to restore historic elements in old homes, this volume illustrates over 500 years of architectural details, from doors to floors. More than 3000 sketches and engravings, as well as black-and-white and color photographs, provide vivid examples; lists of material suppliers in England and the United State are included.

Friedman, Avi. The Adaptable House: Designing Homes for Change. McGraw-Hill. 2002. 271p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-07-137746-8. $45.
Professional architect Friedman urges the reader to reimagine the traditional static home as dynamic space that changes as the needs of the occupants change. A single house, according to the author, should be able to accommodate an individual and/or family throughout their lives. Friedman examines how space functions within a house and the ways a house can be expanded and contracted based on the needs of its owners.

*Jacobson, Max & others. Patterns of Home: The Ten Essentials of Enduring Design. Taunton. 2002. 282p. illus. ISBN 1-56158-533-5. $34.95.
Three architects argue that there are ten essential elements that comprise a well-designed home. These include the placement of the house on the site, creating rooms both inside and outside, the balance of quiet space and communal areas, the use of lighting, and the proportion of interior spaces. Each pattern's philosophy is explained and further illustrated with beautiful photographs. Readers can consider the functions of a home from a philosophical perspective and then design concrete elements around the suggested patterns.

*Jordan, Wendy A. Taunton's Kidspace Idea Book. Taunton. (Idea Book). 2001. 168p. photogs. bibliog. ISBN 1-56158-352-9. $29.95; pap. ISBN 1-56158-617-X. $24.95.
A senior editor at Professional Remodeler and coauthor of Great Kitchens, Jordan believes that functional space should be designed for children and adults throughout the house. Large and colorful photographs illustrate details described in the text. Ideas include creating fun yet safe bathrooms, dynamic and playful bedrooms, and built-in storage space. Taunton's "Idea Book" series also includes titles on kitchens, bathrooms, built-in furniture, storage, and workspaces.

Small House Designs. Storey Bks. 1997. 192p. ed. by Kenneth R. Tremblay Jr. & Lawrence Von Bamford. illus. pap. ISBN 0-88266-966-4. $19.95.
This compilation of small house designs by architects participating in the American Institute of Architects design competition features 34 floor plans and exterior sketches or photographs for each design. Also included are the square footage, estimated cost to build, and a short description of special or hidden elements. While not a book of ready-to-use designs, it is a good idea book for individuals looking for creative suggestions for small city lots.

*Spence, William P. Constructing Bathrooms. Sterling. 2001. 128p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-8069-8103-2. pap. $14.95.
A detailed idea book for new home construction or home remodeling, this volume contains no DIY information but is replete with ideas for bathroom design, materials, lighting, layout, counter heights, storage suggestions, hardware, and fixtures. The book also addresses issues to consider when designing for wheelchair accessibility. Sterling has a recommended similar title for kitchens.

Susanka, Sarah. Not So Big Solutions for Your Home. Taunton. 2002. 155p. illus. ISBN 1-56158-613-7. pap. $22.95.
This collection of articles originally written for Fine Homebuilding magazine's "Drawing Board" column offers valuable ideas for new construction and remodeling projects. Susanka, a working architect, considers the flow of life within a house: she focuses both on creating intimate spaces and accommodating workflow, while providing specific details on such situations as furniture and television placement to designing spaces for sorting mail and sitting in the sun.

Wedlick, Dennis with Philip Langdon. The Good Home: Interiors and Exteriors. HarperDesign: HarperCollins. 2001. 239p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8230-2096-7. $50; pap. Apr. 2003. ISBN 0-06-054926-2. $35.
Wedlick, an award-winning architect, and architectural writer Langdon draw from the past, examining some of America's 18th- and 19th-century homebuilding styles in order to create ideas for building character and integrity in modern homes. They introduce a design vocabulary for interior and exterior elements and illustrate trends and techniques with beautiful photographs of modern homes using traditional designs. A wonderful idea book for the homebuilder wanting to create a timeless design.

Wydra, Nancilee & Lenore Weiss Baigelman. Feng Shui: Principles for Building and Remodeling. McGraw-Hill. 2002. 232p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-8092-9738-8. pap. $19.95.
The ideals of feng shui fit in with the current trend of creating open spaces and unrestricted movement between rooms. Wydra, author of Feng Shui: The Book of Cures, and architect Baigelman describe feng shui's history and explain how the philosophy can be used in designing a new home or remodeling an existing one. They have included 75 floor plans based on feng shui principles, and they also discuss designing room spaces and rethinking spaces in bathrooms and closets.

Bukowski, Steven J. Flooring: Instant Answers. McGraw-Hill. 2003. 285p. illus. index. ISBN 0-07-140204-7. pap. $49.95.
This ready-reference covers flooring materials (marble, hardwood, carpet, and vinyl), installing procedures, layout, and more. For each material there is a discussion of the varying qualities of products as well as information on installation, maintenance, and repair. A companion volume is Terry Kennedy's Roofing: Instant Answers .

*Kitchens: Plan, Remodel, Build. Creative Homeowner. 2002. 240p. illus. index. ISBN 1-58011-049-5. pap. $19.95.
This valuable guide offers ideas and illustrations for the layout and design of various kitchen spaces, along with information on lighting, countertops, storage options, windows, and doors. A significant portion of the book is devoted to the kitchen do-it-yourselfer and includes projects from drywalling to installing appliances.

Nash, George. Do-It-Yourself Housebuilding: The Complete Handbook. Sterling. 1995. 704p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8069-0424-0. pap. $24.95.
Written by an experienced carpenter and the author of Renovating Old Houses, this is for people who want to build their own home, without using contractors or at least minimally. It is also an excellent reference for those who want to be intimately familiar with wood-frame construction techniques. Useful for understanding problems encountered during the construction process and for facilitating communication between the owner and builders, the book also familiarizes its readers with differences in building materials' qualities, which is extremely helpful for those making product selections.

Spence, William P. Encyclopedia of Construction Methods and Materials. Sterling. 2000. 608p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-8069-6851-6. pap. $24.95.
This technical reference book provides sketches and photographs to illustrate construction methods. Spence (Residential Framing: A Homebuilder's Construction Guide) covers such topics as insulation and refrigeration, as well as analyses of building sites. This is not a DIY manual but rather a guide to assist homebuilders in understanding the components of construction and the varying qualities of materials.

Inwood, Robert & Christian Bruyere. Creative Country Construction: Building & Living in Harmony with Nature. Sterling. 2000. 288p. illus. index. ISBN 0-8069-7115-0. pap. $19.95.
Combining two classic books, In Harmony with Nature and Country Comforts, into one updated volume, this is not a specific how-to book but rather a general resource with illustrations depicting various construction practices derived from the building techniques of early American homesteaders. Chapters focus on stone masonry, wood-frame construction, log homes, and post-and-beam construction.

Kennedy, Joseph F. & others. The Art of Natural Building: Design, Construction, Resources. New Society. 2002. 291p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-86571-433-9. pap. $26.95.
The authors, who are practitioners in the natural building movement, introduce a variety of nontraditonal construction options, including underground building and building with alternative materials such as adobe, recycled agricultural materials, rammed earth, and straw bale. They also address energy efficiency, design, and the desire to create a healthy environment. The final chapters include case studies.

Watkins, A.M. Manufactured Houses: Finding and Buying Your Dream Home for Less. 5th ed. Dearborn Trade. 1994. 189p. photogs. index. ISBN 0-7931-1149-8. pap. $14.95.
This volume discusses types of manufactured houses available from mobile homes to precut "kit" homes such as log homes and dome homes. The author covers floor plan designs and ways to reduce energy costs and briefly looks at choosing land and a suitable builder. He also includes a list of home manufacturers in the United States and Canada.

Fine Homebuilding. 8/yr. $37.95. 63 S. Main St., PO Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506; 800-477-8727; www.finehomebuilding.com. ISSN 0273-1398.
Each issue focuses on a particular aspect of home construction or remodeling, with annual special issues on exceptional homes and a separate issue on kitchens and bathrooms, written by professional builders. There are also large full-color photographs, tips for DIY projects, product recommendations, and floor plan suggestions. Taunton's new CD-ROM ($150) of The Best of Fine Homebuilding archives more than 600 articles from 21 years of publication. This will be particularly useful on account of its full-text search capability and "Tips and Techniques" sections.

*American Institute of Architects
www.aia.org
The organization's site provides up-to-date architectural news and is linked to a database that allows patrons to search for architects by geographic region, services provided, and/or building focus.

*American Institute of Building Design
www.aibd.org
The AIBD provides information on the services a designer can provide and has a listing of member designers by state. Prospective clients can check out a gallery of award-winning designs, and homeowners can also order a free copy of the group's A Guide to Residential Design Specialists.

*American Society of Home Inspectors
ashi.com
ASHI's homepage provides a list of standards and practices of home inspectors and a glossary of home inspection terms. The site has a database of home inspectors, searchable by ZIP code.

FindLaw for the Public—Real Estate
public.findlaw.com/real_estate
This site contains articles pertaining to laws that are relevant to homebuilders, buyers, and owners and a database that allows patrons to find a real estate attorney within a specified state or ZIP code.

* Home Builder Guide
www.home-builder-guide.com
This is a site valuable for patrons working as their own general contractor. The site allows for searches by ZIP code for subcontractors, materials, and suppliers.

*Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings
www.hadd.com
This consumer protection site is full of information for the homebuilder who has experienced problems or wants to avoid problems during or after construction. Among the many services provided is a list of builders who have had complaints filed against them along with an explanation of the complaint, faulty materials and building techniques, and articles about all aspects of home construction.