Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating & Bidding
From The Journal of Light Construction review by Dan Kolbert The typical progression of a building contractor is this: You work as a carpenter, start doing work on your own, hire a helper, hire an experienced carpenter, start doing more complicated work, and, before you know it, you’re doing a half million in volume and realize you don’t actually know if you’re making any money or not. At that point, you start looking for resources that can help you move from busy to profitable.
For more than a generation, one of the first books people turned to was David Gerstel’s classic, Running a Successful Construction Company. It helped countless contractors navigate their perilous path, and we were lucky that Gerstel was not only so well organized but such a good writer.
Now, Gerstel has come out with a book that, I think, will prove even more essential: Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating and Bidding. Gerstel has put together a book that is as well-organized and comprehensive as his estimating system. Contractors at any phase of their careers can profit from the book.
To learn more about Nail Your Numbers please click at the image of the book cover.
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Building Freedom: A Construction Pro's Path to Financial Independence
From The Journal of Light Construction review by Rob Corbo
David Gerstel's book, Building Freedom: A Construction Pro's Path to Financial Independence, provides a road map to building a successful business. Woven into the fabric of that business from its beginning, he urges, should be the goal of financial freedom.
Gerstel offers no get-rich-quick solution to reaching financial freedom; it's a long journey. It requires discipline and hard work. Financial freedom doesn't just happen. Even if you run a successful business, achieving financial freedom doesn't happen without specific plans, priorities, objectives, and strategies for implementation. But if you want to give your own business a fighting chance and reach financial freedom, read this book.
I recommend you put this book on your shelf, even if you're not ready for it. In time, it will become apparent you need to read it. Even those of you not wanting your own business, or who love being on the job site and plan to work until your demise, must plan on a financial future and, possibly, for your family's future.
To learn more about Building Freedom, please click on the image of the book cover
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Crafting the Considerate House
Crafting the Considerate House chronicles the design and construction of a home that is energy efficient, affordable, and a pleasure to live in. Within an engaging narrative, it offers practical ideas for every phase of design and construction, including:
- A foundation design that reduced excavation by 90% and consumption of concrete and steel by 50% even while increasing strength.
- “Frugal framing” that reduced use of lumber and labor for framing by one-third without loss of structural strength.
- A heating system coupled with cost-conscious insulating and air sealing that resulted in annual heating bills in the range of $60 to $80 (yes, that is per year, not per month).
Reviews from builders and homeowners
I really loved The Considerate House. The truth about "green building" in David Gerstel's book is so real and refreshing that everyone who wants to be a green builder or designer should read it.
Frank Squaglia, Builder
I bought this book to educate myself as I embarked on a feasibility study for a remodel of my home. It has been an invaluable guide. From page one, I was led by an experienced builder with an engaging voice. Yes, the book is a very good read, making it fun to hear about "grade beams" and "void forms," and to learn why "Finish work begins at the foundation." Today I appreciate the myriad considerations involved in building a home and have gained a better understanding of the structure in which I live.
Homeowner review of Crafting the Considerate House on Amazon
A preview of what it's like on the front lines of building your dream green home, an in-the-flesh tour from foundation to finish with a kind guide at your side through the process of designing, building and working out the inevitable kinks that come up while building the "near-perfect house" at a perfect price.
Fine Homebilding review by Fernando Pages, veteran home builder and author of Building an Affordable House
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Running. A Successful Construction Company
A note from the author:
Since publication of the first edition of Running a Successful Construction Company ,I have been amazed and gratified by the appreciative reader response. To take a "Look Inside" and to see numerous reader reviews, please click on the image of the book cover.
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