A unique title that combines cost information with guidance and comment in the fast growing selfbuild arena. Now in its 5th edition, the Housebuilders Bible is fully up to date on recent building reg changes for the UK mark This is one of those books that has become a cult hit despite the publishing and bookselling trades. Self published because no publisher was originally interested in the concept, sold via mail order because bookshops don't like to deal with one man and a dog publishers, it first appeared in 1994 with a print run of just a few hundred. The print run on this edition (the 5th) is over 20,000 and it regularly appears in Amazon's top 100 titles. So who is buying it and why? The majority of purchasers are drawn from Britain's growing army of selfbuilders, people building new homes or renovating existing ones, who appreciate the frank and at times brutal appraisal of their efforts. However there is also a large number of architects, surveyors and builders who sing its praises. The information in the book is detailed and infomative yet the presentation is succint and often witty. If you just want to find out how the British build houses, this is a fascinating read. If you want to actually build one yourself, then frankly you'd be nuts not to have read this book from cover to cover. It's 240 pages are packed with information on all aspects of homebuilding and renovating including 60 tables which detail current construction costs on everything from drains to hanging curtains. Even if the only tools you ever lift are your chequebook and your credit card, you will stil
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About the Author
Mark Brinkley, b 1953, is a full time writer and lecturer on housebuilding topics. Previously he built houses for a living for 15 years until he began writing about the process in 1994. He writes regular columns for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine and in 2002 he won the Halifax Laing Homes award for Consumer Title Journalist of the
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
220 of 220 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been interested in building my own house for at least 20 years and in that time I have read many books and countless magazine articles on the subject. Initially, most of the stuff I could find was american - often inspiring and very much geared to hands on do-it-yorself types but so far removed from the reality of building in bureaucratic Britain as to be almost useless. I have read books recently, written in this country, of a much more sober sort. They are often written by architects and, although many contain excellent advice on planning and contracts and garantees, there is often surprisingly little about the actual building process.
Mark Brinkley's book is different. It is immediately clear that this is written by a man who really knows about house building, both as a professional and a self-builder. He explains simply how houses are built, what choices there are to be made and what follows from them. Even better he explains why bulders, developers and the various subcontractors behave the way they do.
Building is not rocket science but there are many things that need to come together for it to work. Even if you don't intend to lift so much as a shovel in the process of your house build, you need to know the information in this book. It is clearly presented and easy to follow and cuts through the spin that various intrest groups put 'facts' and figures leaving you in a good position to make informed decisions.
For a book that contains so much information and insight, it is very easy to read and even entertaining in places and on top of that it really gives you a feel for what it is like to build your own house. I am 60% through the process of building my own house and still refer to this book often - if you only buy one book on self-build this should be it.
Mark Brinkley's book is different. It is immediately clear that this is written by a man who really knows about house building, both as a professional and a self-builder. He explains simply how houses are built, what choices there are to be made and what follows from them. Even better he explains why bulders, developers and the various subcontractors behave the way they do.
Building is not rocket science but there are many things that need to come together for it to work. Even if you don't intend to lift so much as a shovel in the process of your house build, you need to know the information in this book. It is clearly presented and easy to follow and cuts through the spin that various intrest groups put 'facts' and figures leaving you in a good position to make informed decisions.
For a book that contains so much information and insight, it is very easy to read and even entertaining in places and on top of that it really gives you a feel for what it is like to build your own house. I am 60% through the process of building my own house and still refer to this book often - if you only buy one book on self-build this should be it.
112 of 112 people found the following review helpful
By Rick Hughes
Format:Paperback
This is probably the first book purchase that any SelfBuilder should make. I speak form experience - I bought the last 2 versions of it.
This title may mislead you to think this is a practical book, it isn't. However it is an excellent book, it has tables which allow you to work out the material and labour costs for just about every individual task involved with building a house. Rates are given in PC sums or as square or cubic metre rates.
I have prepared the detailed costings for my build using Marks tables, and it brings out many things which might have slipped by in my calculations. The cost per lightfitting to the charge per linear metre for scaffolding.
There is a fair amount of background detail to various stages of the build and to who does what and how to organise things. With plenty of examples of the various methods of achieving the results i.e. drylining costs and plastering costs are detailed.
It does take some getting used to, you need to look at the front example build find the relevant chapter and look at the breakdown and then find the relevant table to see the full breakdown of material & labour costs.
A very good book and a must if you want to know what you should expect to pay.
I now have the 98/99 version and the book although not greatly changed remains an indispensable item for those who are Selfbuilding rather than just taking a turnkey package from a company.
Still a little lean on timber frame details, but at least some new data in this version.
I can honestly recommend this book for anyone interested in carrying out a Selfbuild.
This title may mislead you to think this is a practical book, it isn't. However it is an excellent book, it has tables which allow you to work out the material and labour costs for just about every individual task involved with building a house. Rates are given in PC sums or as square or cubic metre rates.
I have prepared the detailed costings for my build using Marks tables, and it brings out many things which might have slipped by in my calculations. The cost per lightfitting to the charge per linear metre for scaffolding.
There is a fair amount of background detail to various stages of the build and to who does what and how to organise things. With plenty of examples of the various methods of achieving the results i.e. drylining costs and plastering costs are detailed.
It does take some getting used to, you need to look at the front example build find the relevant chapter and look at the breakdown and then find the relevant table to see the full breakdown of material & labour costs.
A very good book and a must if you want to know what you should expect to pay.
I now have the 98/99 version and the book although not greatly changed remains an indispensable item for those who are Selfbuilding rather than just taking a turnkey package from a company.
Still a little lean on timber frame details, but at least some new data in this version.
I can honestly recommend this book for anyone interested in carrying out a Selfbuild.
122 of 123 people found the following review helpful
By SimonL
Format:Paperback
If you're attempting a full house build or just extending or renovating, read this book.
It provides practical and objective information about all aspects of house building; it is easily understood by the lay person, without any 'dumbing down', and a useful reference for beginners and professionals alike.
It clearly lays out all the options and costs for each stage of building, allowing you to make informed decisions on how to proceed.
Whether self-building or employing builders, don't consider embarking on any building project without reading it first.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Full of good advice and tips. Easy to read.
Full of good advice and tips. Easy to read. Great detail well presented. I ve done a few minor developments but found this book has expanded my knowledge
Published 4 days ago by Top Pot Supplies
5.0 out of 5 stars
Invaluable planning tool
For a non professional, this is a comprehensive and easy to understand layout and text. It covers all aspects of building technology, regulation and tax. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Frank Alexandre
1.0 out of 5 stars
The drive by the publisher to save costs by producing an inferior...
This used to be a great book, full of colour graphs and photos, now its all Black and White.This is what happens when a company forgets its buyers and just focus's on the bottom... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Fiction
4.0 out of 5 stars
Useful Building Information
A good book, full of information, but unfortunately not quite what I was after
on this occasion, but maybe in the future.
on this occasion, but maybe in the future.
Published 19 days ago by Walter Forsyth
1.0 out of 5 stars
Great content, presented horribly compared to previous editions
So disappointed! As the proud owner of the Sixth edition, which was an all round quality product, in colour and presented with neat tables, high quality photo's and smooth,... Read more
Published 19 days ago by C. Haynes
5.0 out of 5 stars
just the job
needed some guidance on house building - so went for this book based on other recommendations - got me started just the job
Published 26 days ago by andrew fulcher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Excellent, this is a must have book if you are a builder and it is so helpful with costings an absolute must for a builder
Published 1 month ago by cbeatty
4.0 out of 5 stars
good reading
Well worth the price as you will save many times that on the building costs by following it's advice.
Very small text though ( and i have good eyesight!)
Very small text though ( and i have good eyesight!)
Published 1 month ago by d j evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Informative
A very comprehensive book which provides you with an insider look at builders costs and very handy things to watch out for and advice which is invaluable, pitfalls and the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by B Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uptodate, relevant, indespesable for self builders
If you are a self builder you must buy this book. Very simply written in plain language and packed with good advice an essential tome for budding self build project managers. Read more
Published 1 month ago by R. Robinson
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