Publisher's Synopsis
This book is loaded with practical, easy to understand advice from a successful General Contractor with a 20+ year track record of excellence to simplify the process and make any sized home improvement project more affordable and less stressful. Dave has been building projects in the Midwest safely and successfully and helping people to achieve their goals. Along the way, he has been quoted in the New York Times and CNBC.com for his practical insights on construction.
This makes your money go further, eliminates headaches and empowers you to take charge of the whole process. We'll cover exactly how to: * Size up a project* Estimate a realistic budget* Understand exactly how to hire the best subcontractors* How to negotiate the best price with those subcontractors* How to manage them* How to pay them * How to keep everything effectively on track Chapters include:1 Should you trust a General Contractor?
2 What does a competent GC do and why should I think like one?
3 How much do things really cost?
4 I have a project in mind. Where do I start?
5 How do I find the right subcontractors in terms of competence and price?
6 How should I pay the subcontractors?
7 What is the typical chronology of the construction process?
8 How do I estimate the time to do the whole job?
9 How do I check the quality of the work?
10 What are some issues to be aware of when making finish selections?
11 What about appliances?
12 What if I just want to hire a General Contractor? How do I pick the right one and not get taken for a ride?
13 What are some common mistakes to avoid on the road to achieving excellence? "I want you to have more control of your money, achieve higher quality work, sleep better at night and be much more satisfied with your results for years to come." Dave Dillon
General Contractor
