Reviews (5)

Handbook of Construction Contracting: Estimating, Bidding, Scheduling, Vol. 2
Good Book with Clear Illustration of Estimation & Bidding for Residential Projects

A Seasoned Veteran
When I started contracting nearly 30 years ago this book was quite useful in moving me from trades person to business person, the required move to be successful. It's still here and just as good for introducing the basics of construction contracting.

A must for construction specialists and tradesmen
This is vol 1 of a 2-vol work that takes the guess work out of estimating,designing, and planning a construction project. Whether building as atradesman or contractor--or even as someonesuch as a homeowner wishing tocontract the building of his house, this book is a must. I have been in theconstruction business for years and these two books are a must in my officeand in my truck. I require all my key personnel to study them, a policythat saves money, time, and eliminates guesswork. On a scale of 1-10, Irate both a 10! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Building Construction    3. Building Construction Costs    4. Construction - Contracting    5. Estimates    6. General    7. Handbooks & Manuals    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. House construction    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Technology   

Reviews (1)

An estimating book for all industry
I have used this book since 1986. It has been the cornerstone of my pipe estimating. It is easy to use and in most cases you can narrow a seemingly complicated estimating job down to a few tables. I recommend this book to any estimator charged with providing accurate budgets in industrial construction.
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Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Business & Economics    4. Business/Economics    5. Construction - Plumbing    6. Do-It-Yourself - Plumbing    7. Estimates    8. Labor time    9. Pipe-fitting    10. Plumbing Technology    11. Skills    12. Technology & Industrial Arts    13. United States    14. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    15. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Reviews (13)

Author defends premise

Conflicts of Interest
There seems to be a bit of a difference in opinion in the reviews listed here as to whether or not this book is mainly of benefit to contractors, or to homeowners and do-it-yourselfers. My impression of the book is that it is aimed largely at the contractor who wishes to cut as many corners as possible in order to get-in the lowest bid or come-in under budget.
Excellent, worthwhile book
This is the best book for an owner/builder with no construction experience I've read.It clearly explains a lot about construction, and when and how cutting costs will impact only the bottom line, not the quality of the finished product.I feel that I've gained a great deal of knowledge that helps me make decisions on what's important to me, and I know this knowledge will be invaluable in my home design and acting as general contractor for my home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Construction    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Construction - General    4. Cost effectiveness    5. Design & Construction    6. Do-It-Yourself    7. Dwellings    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House & Home    10. House construction    11. Remodeling    12. House & Home / Design & Construction    13. Housing & property for the individual   

Reviews (2)

Roofing Construction & Estimating
This book is what I've been looking for, college type material for the person who likes to self teach. Thank-you

The roofing book for those who have never been on a roof
This is an informative book that would be acceptable material for the person who has never been on a roof.He covers most roofing products in a adaquate manner explaining many of the basic princibles. However, as aroofer, it would have been nice to see what he considers acceptablemanhours per square on each product, using his experiance, instead of usinginformation drawn from other books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Construction Costs    2. Construction - Estimating    3. Construction - Roofing    4. Design and construction    5. Estimates    6. General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Roof Engineering    9. Roofs    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Technology   

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Construction - Estimating    4. Construction - General    5. Data processing    6. Design & Construction    7. Estimates    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Building construction & materials    12. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Construction - General    4. Estimates    5. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Reviews (2)

well written and clear information
I found the information helpful, easy to use and direct to the point.

Some help, but contains errors, and may be misleading
As an engineer it made me nervous to read this book.The author did an ok job at simplifying many of the engineering concepts contained within, but I came across a number of major errors in formulas and definitions. Keep in mind that unless you are a licensed engineer or architect (at least in NY state) it is illegal to design or modify any of the structural members discussed within the book.I believe the author is misleading in implying that complex engineering work can be simplified to the point of bypassing a licensed professional. To me it just seems dangerous. If you are a contractor looking for a better idea behind the engineering of residential construction, the book generally meets that need. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Codes    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Construction - Contracting    4. Construction - General    5. Engineering - General    6. House construction    7. Reference    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. Structural engineering    10. Technology    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Building construction & materials    13. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation    14. Mathematics for scientists & engineers    15. Project management   

Reviews (2)

I am loving it
I just received my copy today. I always prefer DeWalt books(used to be "Pal" books) because they are convenient and more importantly, to-the-point. Still, I fell in love with this one the moment I flipped through pages. Unlike the big and heavy books I used to struggle with when I was in school, this compact book offers direct answers to so many questions. The book also introduced a very organized approach for the bidding game, in addition to its 200+ estimating tips. Thus I believe it will be handy for both general and trade contractors. Whether you need to be jack-of-all-trades or specialize on certain line of work, this book is a must.
Every page pays
This handy book is great for almost all levels of contractors. It provides step-by-step instructions to bid a job as well as tips for estimating various trades (from site to electrical). The book walks you through different stages of estimating: document review, site visit, quantity take-off, pricing, bid submittal and feedback etc. If you are self-performing, it has detailed checklists and forms for quantity take-off. If you are subcontracting some work and want to evaluate quotes from subs, the book also offers detailed question lists you can use. It is incredible that so much information has been compressed into a book of this size. Inside you will find instant answers to all levels of questions from how many cubic yards of concrete is in a 200 ft 8 x 16 tie beam WITHOUT calculations, to how to do a cost breakdown on a multi-million job. This book is apparently suitable for all sectors (residential, commercial, industrial......). For example, it included the weight tables(unbelievably comprehensive) for almost all structural steel shapes, or you will find the number of wood joists for given floor length and joist spacing right away. What makes it unique from other estimating books is that it offers quick solutions(mostly immediate)without having to read a lot of pages. If you are overwhelmed by how much you have to do everyday, this book is going to be a life saver. Trust me, from what I read, it is written by a highly-organized professional, i.e. a "number guy" who knows the tricks. It is something you want to bring along with you at all times. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Construction Costs    2. Construction - Estimating    3. Construction - General    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Technology / Technical & Manufacturing Industries & Trades   

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Business & Economics    4. Business/Economics    5. Construction - Estimating    6. Estimates    7. Labor    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Building construction & materials    10. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building    3. Building Construction Costs    4. Construction - General    5. Cost control    6. Engineering - Civil    7. Engineering Construction Management    8. Safety measures    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Building construction & materials    12. Occupational / industrial health & safety    13. Technology / Engineering / Civil   

Subjects:  1. Building Construction Costs    2. Buildings    3. Construction - Estimating    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Estimates    6. Installation    7. Mechanical equipment    8. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Construction - Estimating    4. Construction - General    5. Data processing    6. Estimates    7. Microcomputer Spreadsheet Software    8. Microsoft Excel (Computer file)    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Spreadsheets - Excel    11. Technology    12. Technology & Industrial Arts    13. Quantity surveying    14. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Construction - Estimating    4. Construction - General    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Estimates    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Reviews (1)

Info the contractor should not be without
I've always felt that you can do no wrong utilizing RS Means in theconstruction industry.As a General Contractor, I have depended on RSMeans through-out the country on various types of commercial andgovernmental projects. Cost Planning & Estimating for FacilitiesMaintenance is a must have when your company maintains or repairsbuildings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Construction Costs    2. Buildings    3. Construction - General    4. Costs    5. General    6. Maintenance    7. Planning    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Budgeting & financial management    12. Management of real estate, property & plant   

Subjects:  1. Building Construction Costs    2. Construction - Estimating    3. Construction - General    4. Reference    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Reviews (3)

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
SEE THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL THIRD EDITION OF THIS BOOK.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
THE ONLY NEGATIVE REVIEW WAS FROM AN ARCHITECT WHO COMPLAINED THAT THE BOOK HARDLY MENTIONED "THE ARCHITECT." INSTEAD IT REFERS MOSTLY TO "THE DESIGNER," MEANING THE "DESIGN TEAM" WHICH AN ARCHITECT MAY LEAD. CONSTRUCTION, HOWEVER, IS MORE THAN ARCHITECTURE, AND THE BOOK'S CONTENT EXPLAINS THAT, ESPECIALLY IN THE PART ON "DESIGN-BUILD" CONTRACTS, A METHOD OF OPERATION THAT UTILISES A BUILDING CONTRACTOR'S EXPERIENCE FROM THE OUTSET.

Construction contracts are Fundamental to Design& Building
Try reading a standard form of construction contract. Dull! Yet it shapes relations among owners, designers, and builders. See how often a standard form is abused, by a lack or an abundance of changes that cannot be directly related by a reader. Even more than specifications, often the contract documents remain unread. "It's standard!" is a frequent comment: often, not so. Few lawyers will write about them, so who should? Someone who has written and worked with many contracts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Construction Costs    2. Construction    3. Construction - General    4. Construction contracts    5. Contracts    6. Design & Construction    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Taxation    10. United States    11. Building construction & materials    12. Contract law    13. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Subjects:  1. Building Construction Costs    2. Construction - General    3. Engineering - Civil    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Surveying    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Building skills    9. Cost accounting    10. Quantity surveying    11. Technology / Surveying   

Reviews (2)

False Advertising
The product was suppose to be a hardcopy book.However, upon receipt it was a softcopy book.I demand a refund for false advertising.

Very Good and Very Applicable
Very good book...everything is well explained. I like the inclusion ofreal documents shown in figures, which not only enhance the understandingand making it more practical to apply. Also have many interesting oldpictures and stories relating to construction which is a nice break for thereading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Construction - Estimating    4. Construction - General    5. Engineering - Civil    6. Estimates    7. General    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Budgeting & financial management    12. Quantity surveying    13. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Subjects:  1. Building Construction Costs    2. Construction - General    3. Engineering - Civil    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    8. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Subjects:  1. Building Construction Costs    2. Civil Procedure    3. Construction - Contracting    4. Construction contracts    5. Contracts for work and labor    6. Do-It-Yourself    7. General    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. House & Home    10. Interior Design    11. Interior decorators    12. Technology & Industrial Arts    13. United States