Replies

1. 
   BobKovacs | Feb 14, 2006 11:53pm | #1

   I read it many years ago.  I thought it was pretty good- it managed to keep what could easily be a dry subject pretty interesting.  As the FHB blurb said, it should be required reading for anyone anticipating a major remodel or new construction project.

   Bob

2. 
   Huck | Feb 15, 2006 03:55am | #2

   Yeah, it was a pretty good book.  Its been a long time.  I still recall getting angry at the way the client chiseled the contractor on price, then nit-picked him on details.  Overall, a pretty good read.  As I recall, it was just a writer's chronicle of an actual project, hence the "dose of reality".

   "he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain

3. 
   calvin | Feb 15, 2006 04:11am | #3

   Good book, worth the read.

   A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

    

4. 
   RichBeckman | Feb 15, 2006 05:04am | #4

   Here is a recent thread on the book:

   http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=67778.1&search=y

   If you do a search on "Kidder", you'll find that the book gets brought up a lot in the middle of other discussions.

   I thought there was at least one other thread (some time ago) more or less devoted to "House", but I can't find it.

   Oh, yeah. I enjoyed the book a lot.

   Rich Beckman

   Another day, another tool.

1. 
   JasonQ | Feb 15, 2006 12:29pm | #5

   I've read "House," but I read Jim Locke's "The Well-Built House," a sequel of sorts, first.  Both are good books, although Locke's book is probably a bit basic for any construction pro.  Good reading for a hack like me, though.  : )

    

   Jason

1. 
   EJCinc | Feb 15, 2006 05:27pm | #6

   I'll have to check out Locke's book.  Is it kind of his side of the story?  Does it deal with same project?

   I enjoyed the book.  I feel at the end of the job when they were dickering about the balance owed.  Instead of Apple corps settling for the five hundred dollars.  They should have said they wanted $660.00 that being the original amount they were forced to take out of the contract price right from the get go.  Probably would have made it a little sweeter for them.

   I had a new version of the book and it had a new afterword from the author.  He wrote a large paragraph saying the homeowner's still live there and are happy.  Another large paragraph detailing all the architects many projects since this house.  But I was dispointed that the contractor only got TWO sentences.  And they just stated that Apple Corps no longer existed.  Nothing else about Jim Locke or any of the guys.  Kind of the short end of the stick.

1. 
   JasonQ | Feb 15, 2006 05:40pm | #7

   I'll have to check out Locke's book.  Is it kind of his side of the story?  Does it deal with same project?

    

   No, it's actually a start-to-finish primer on home construction as he does it.  It's an interesting read.  Might even be interesting even if you are a construction pro.  The guy writes well. 

   Jason

5. 
   pjmcgarvey | Feb 15, 2006 08:13pm | #8

   Just started it this morning, hasn't gotten into nuts and bolts yet, but interesting so far.  Picked it up on Ebay used for a song, $2 + $1.50 for shipping.

   Can anyone backup the other recommendations made in FHB? 

   PJ

6. 
   Winchester | Feb 15, 2006 10:44pm | #9

   Excellent book- I bought it for my son who is now an architect. Kidder is a Pulitzer prize winning author- he also wrote "Hometown" about Northhampt MA and I think he has a new book out- can't remember what it is about.
   Doug