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The Well-Built House
This is the essential book for anyone who is considering building or buying a new house or remodeling an old one--an insider's guide to construction, written by a professional contractor. Many readers will remember Jim Locke as the contractor in Tracy Kidder's bestselling book HOUSE, in which he epitomized the values of the true craftsman.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 25, 2025
I am so goddamn stupid but after this book, I feel like maybe I know a little bit about construction. Super clearly explains construction, and that means something, coming from someone as clueless as I am.
Had no idea every layer of foundation for a house needs a separate drainage system! And dampproofing and insulating! The diagrams are also so helpful. The wood that frames the house (AND is bolted to the foundation) is called a mud sill, but then you need another layer of floor framing on top of it. Dude. Houses are so complicated. They’re so oniony with all their layers.
I thought I knew what a deck was. I don’t. A deck isanother word for a “subfloor”, which is what provides the support for the actually floor you walk on. It also ties all the joists together and diagonally braces with the deck frame, working with the house foundation to provide a rigid base.
Stuff that keeps out solar heat: brick and concrete walls. But for good ventilation, you want your attic close to outside temperature (your CEILING needs insulation not your ROOF). Should have a free-ventilating opening equal to 1/300 of the attics floor area.
Subcontractors in order: mason, HVAC, plumbing, then electrical. Plumbing has the most regulations.
Had no idea every layer of foundation for a house needs a separate drainage system! And dampproofing and insulating! The diagrams are also so helpful. The wood that frames the house (AND is bolted to the foundation) is called a mud sill, but then you need another layer of floor framing on top of it. Dude. Houses are so complicated. They’re so oniony with all their layers.
I thought I knew what a deck was. I don’t. A deck isanother word for a “subfloor”, which is what provides the support for the actually floor you walk on. It also ties all the joists together and diagonally braces with the deck frame, working with the house foundation to provide a rigid base.
Stuff that keeps out solar heat: brick and concrete walls. But for good ventilation, you want your attic close to outside temperature (your CEILING needs insulation not your ROOF). Should have a free-ventilating opening equal to 1/300 of the attics floor area.
Subcontractors in order: mason, HVAC, plumbing, then electrical. Plumbing has the most regulations.
January 19, 2013
Well worth the time to read if you're thinking of building a home
July 9, 2025
We built our current house based largely upon advice from this book--indispensable!
January 8, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Jim Locke is not only an excellent builder, as I learned in Tracy Kidder's House, but a great writer as well. He writes in a clear and conversational manner, giving lots of good advice mixed with humor and self-deprecating anecdotes. The only reason I didn't give this five stars is that it was written in the late 1980s, and there have been quite a few changes in building practice since then, so some of what he recommends has become obsolete. Good craftsmanship never becomes outdated, though, and that's Locke's main goal. Well worth your time, though take a look at some recent copies of Fine Homebuilding or Journal of Light Construction for what you can expect when it comes to modern insulation, siding, trim, and even a few framing details.
January 22, 2017
I was expecting a guide on how to build a house on my own, but this book instead guides you on how to hire a builder and architect to build a home for you. It still did a walk through on the basics of the steps to home building, but through builders and contractors, not you. However, it was still very informative and I will likely read it again when I am getting ready to build a custom home.
The other thing was that this book was written in the 80's, so I found that some of the techniques were a bit out dated.
All in all it was a good read with solid writing and I learned some good stuff, there is still SO much more that I need to learn.
The other thing was that this book was written in the 80's, so I found that some of the techniques were a bit out dated.
All in all it was a good read with solid writing and I learned some good stuff, there is still SO much more that I need to learn.
March 30, 2011
An experienced carpenter and builder talks about how to build a worthy house that will last. There's also a useful chapter on remodeling. It was very interesting reading this after reading Tracy Kidder's House, since Locke was one of the builders in that.
April 12, 2011
Considering the money that folks spend on their homes, this book is an excellent guide to ensure that the money is spent well. It is a reading book, not a picture book, so it may take a little more effort to understand some of the less familiar concepts. However, Locke and his crews have been building houses for a long time. Take advantage of their expertise - buy the book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews