Product Description

Written as a result of the discovery that the problems encountered and mistakes made in building extensions are largely due to a lack of information available to the general public and to many builders, the author, a professional engineer, has written this highly informative, easy-access book. Home Extensions provides clear and concise advice on how to plan and supervise the building of a home extension, loft conversion or conservatory, including everything from planning and the law to dealing with architects, builders and other contractors - right through to the final coat of paint.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20673 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-12
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

About the Author
Paul Hymers, MIAS, MBEng, is a corporate building engineer who works as a Building Control Officer for his local council in Kent. He checks and approves plans and monitors work in progress.

Customer Reviews

Ideal for managing a project
This book is perfect for anyone who wants to manage a home extention project. There is invaluable advice on all the major aspects of getting work done on time, safely and cost effectively. It also deals with legal aspects (in plain English) that will ensure that if anything goes wrong, you and your money are protected. But DON'T buy this book if you are looking for information on how to build it yourself. This book is designed to give you enough information about the work you are employing builders to do so that they don't rip you off with shoddy or dangerous work. All in all this is an excellent book with gems of vital information on each page.

Well presented, stuctured book for the layman
The book is ideal for someone who knows little of the construction industry, but would feel less intimidated after reading.
As a builder myself, I bought the book out of sheer curiosity. I found it to be structured in such a way as to complement the new build extension as it progresses.
Very factual, and as the saying goes, I have to admit, that even I was caught out by "Well I did`nt know that!"
If you buy this book, you definetly will not be caught out by the cowboys!

An absolute must for home-improvers
I am planning an extension to our home and, since reading the book, realise how many holes I could fall into!

the book is very clearly set out and indexed, starts at the beginning (when your extension is just a vague idea), and takes you step by step through the whole process. It is illustrated with very clear diagrams and graphics, and uses non-technical language to put across stuff you never even thought of, but which is crucial to seeing your dream become reality.

There are lots of checklists that tell you what to look out for at each stage of the work, so you know how to keep abreast of what Bob the Builder is up to (or not up to, as the case may be).

When I asked the first person who wanted to do the job if he was "Vat-registered", his sharp intake of breath was a revelation!

Don't spend a penny on that extension till you've bought a copy. It could save you thousands!