Building an Affordable House 2nd Edition - by Fernando Pages Ruiz (Paperback)

About the Book

"While building trends may change, one thing does not: the need to build quality homes at affordable prices. And in today's building market, sustainability is an important part of building homes that last so homeowners can keep long-term costs down. Building an Affordable House, 2nd edition helps readers do that with insight from the people who work in the field every day. This new edition provides an updated sensibility to the building decisions every homeowner must make in today's challenging construction environment, whether they are building a brand-new house or renovating one they love. This update includes all new code information, techniques that honor sustainable building practices, cost-saving methods that are safe and effective. This book reveals the secrets of building better for less and developing your own cost-cutting approach that balances marketability, quality, and price"--

Book Synopsis

Unlock the secrets to building high-quality, affordable homes with this thoroughly updated version of the classic Building an Affordable House. This comprehensive guide is perfect for builders, developers, and homeowners looking to maximize their construction or remodeling budget without sacrificing quality.

Whether you're building a new home or renovating an existing one, this book provides the tools and knowledge you need to achieve high-value, low-cost results. Transform your construction projects with strategies that balance marketability, quality, and affordability.

Key Features:

• Cost-Saving Techniques: Discover insider methods used by top homebuilders to save thousands on construction costs.
• Budget-Friendly Design: Learn how to add curb appeal and functionality without breaking the bank.
• Sustainable Practices: Incorporate eco-friendly building techniques that benefit both the environment and your wallet.
• Step-by-Step Guidance: Detailed instructions on everything from foundations to finishes, ensuring you get the most value for your investment.
• Expert Insights: Benefit from the author's 30 years of experience in the construction industry, with practical tips and real-world examples.

It's a detailed roadmap that takes the speculation out of building and provides the builder with an elusive commodity in the construction industry: peace of mind. Plus, keeping sustainability at the forefront of building decisions isn't simply good for the environment--it's good for the homeowner's bottom line.

This second edition of Building an Affordable House provides an updated sensibility to the building decisions every homeowner must make in today's challenging construction environment, whether building a brand-new house or renovating one they love.

Review Quotes

May Be Your Smartest Construction or Design Investment

There is no silver bullet to building an affordable house--you must save money in most construction areas, while good taste compensates for a lack of luxuries. The book Building an Affordable House will get you started. No issue in housing is more important now than affordability, and Fernando Pagés Ruiz knows this topic inside and out from the builder's perspective. He is a rare affordable housing advocate who doesn't focus on policy but on how quality houses can be built as cheaply as possible to serve markets struggling to find shelter.

Simply building a small house on a small lot won't get you to affordability. You must pay a lot of attention to the construction cost--and design accordingly. Spending less than $30 and reading Building an Affordable House may be your smartest construction or design investment.

Robert Steuteville, F-CNU, editor of Public Square: A CNU Journal and senior communications adviser for the Congress for the New Urbanism

A Masterful Guide to Building Affordably, Green and Profitably

When Fernando Pages Ruiz published his first book on building affordable homes, it made a big splash in the construction industry. I was among the thousands of builders who benefited from the strategies it put forth for minimizing cost while delivering value. I had tired of building homes for wealthy people and wanted to build a home that was affordable for wage workers, made the smallest environmental footprint I could manage, and that I could produce at a profit. The project's success on all three counts was in good part due to the guidance provided by Pages in his book.

Now, two decades later, Pages has given us another book about building affordable homes. Nominally it is a second edition (same title, same publisher). But it is so thoroughly updated with respect to the latest codes, budget-friendly construction, environmentally friendly practices, and business opportunities that it is best viewed as an essential new book.

All that experience and learning has been distilled into the new Building an Affordable House. The result is the sort of down-to-earth wisdom you get from a talented guy who has worked relentlessly for five decades pursing his dream. His book is a masterwork. - David Gerstel, author of Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating and Bidding, Crafting the Considerate House and Building Freedom: A Construction Pro's Path to Financial Independence.