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Before You Hire A Contractor: A Construction Guidebook For Consumers
by Steve Gonzalez
Available from Amazon
$12.95
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Features
Paperback: 182 pages
Publisher: Consumer Press November 30, 1999
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1891264656
ISBN-13: 978-1891264658
Product Dimensions:
8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
From Library Journal
Gonzalez, a certified residential contractor, tells consumers how to avoid the pitfalls of home improvement and construction. He argues that consumers must educate themselves and specify exactly what they want, make their own choices, and have realistic expectations. Gonzalez discusses the essentials of selecting a contractor, negotiating contracts, and avoiding scams and provides rudimentary information about liens, insurance, bonding, and consumer rights. He also devotes one chapter to the art of writing specifications. The numbers and addresses of consumer protection agencies are listed state by state, as are construction regulatory offices. Good, basic information on this complex subject plus checklists and sample forms make this a useful tool for the beginner. Recommended for public libraries.
Judith M. Nixon, Purdue Univ. Lib., West Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
In the halcyon, largely imaginary days of yore, hardy Americans would have a few neighbors over to slap together the house or addition thereto, but now home building and remodeling are major professional undertakings. Indeed, one of the few constants left in American life is rising construction costs. The escalation of materials and labor prices shows no sign of abating, and as building codes grow in complexity and extend to previously unregulated areas, the cost of merely doing business rises, too. Into this world of hurt and need comes Gonzalez's primer on hiring contractors. Gonzalez advises on what to look out for during every construction stage, from planning to financing to complaints after completion. He offers five essentials to observe in the selection of a contractor, explains contracts and lien laws in lay terms, and covers warranties, bonding, service contracts--in short, all the ancillary stuff consumers often don't think about until it's too late. Well organized, easy to understand, this adviser is a highly usable resource. Mike Tribby
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reader Reviews
My highlighter got quite a workout during this easy to read book. Tells about disastrous contractor scenarios, and how they could have been avoided. Lots of matter of fact warnings about contracts, even gives a sample one. There is a very useful section on specifications. He stresses the importance of VERY specific specifications -- right down to how many layers of tar paper. I felt much more nervous after finishing the book because I realized the phenomenal number of decisions ahead of me, but once I started making my list with the help of the book, I felt like I had a handle on it. The list of things to specify could have been a little more complete, which is why a 4 instead of a 5 rating.
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