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Product Description
Product Description
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EDITION HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE SEVENTH EDITION WHICH IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON ISBN 9780954867447
About the Author
Mark Brinkley, 49, lives and works in the house he built for his family in Cambridgeshire. He worked as a carpenter and a housebuilder for 15 years before he wrote this, his only, book which has now established him in a new career as a writer. He is a regular contributor to the selfbuild magazine, Homebuilding & Renovating and an occasional contributor to many more.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
202 of 202 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.
109 of 109 people found the following review helpful
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.
118 of 119 people found the following review helpful
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
Good, but no cigar
This is a great book. If you are thinking of building your own home, this along with 'Build Your Own House' Haynes manual will give you a pretty good picture of what to... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Geoff
housebuilders bible
bought this book as a christmas present for someone intending to build their own house, im very pleased with its contents.It is a very detailed book but easily understood.... Read more
Published 5 months ago by eatmorecake
House builders bible
Very good book, But needs make it easier to understand regarding its pricing. But all in all will be very useful to me.
Published 8 months ago by STEVEN
Mystique out of Building
If like me anything to do with building jobs scares you silly this is the book for you. It explains all aspects, including the mindset of builders, & gives you that bit of... Read more
Published 8 months ago by DavidCoulsdon
Housebuilders Bible
The book is superb. I have learnt so much by reading it. I would advise anybody who is not just building a house but even if you are buying one already built to buy this book. Read more
Published 9 months ago by L. G. Foley
Housebuilders Bible (9th Edition)
An excellent read for those wanting to get a quick grasp of the financials and practical considerations for a self build in the UK
Published 10 months ago by Hollow Legs
Better than the real thing
I bought an earlier edition (Old Testament?) back in 1998 for my first barn conversion - it was good then, but it's even better now. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Billy Bosworth
My husband loves it
I bought this for my husband as a birthday present a month ago. Since then, he is reading the book everyday. He said it is very useful.
Published 12 months ago by Hannah
Great book but not ideal for extensions
This is a great book if you want to build from scratch which is what the main selling point was I believe. Read more
Published 12 months ago by gaude50
Excellent Book - go buy it
I have never written a review on here before, but I have been reading this book for the last couple of weeks and feel compelled to sing the books praises. Read more
Published 15 months ago by yarn
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