Foundations & Concrete Work (For Pros by Pros) Paperback – Illustrated, February 1, 2003

I just got the book yesterday. Overall I was pleased just to get some understanding of footings and foundation walls. I believe this book would be fine for a layman like myself to start out with initially. I ordered several other books on this topic, so I believe I am well covered. I think it would be a mistake to assume that one can get all one's information from one source all the time. Not to mention the price for this purchase was terribly reasonable. So two thumbs up!

Excellent pictures / illustrations. Broader spectrum on construction methods. Presents formed, IFC and CMU work. Details CMU foundation pitfalls. Details drainage issues. Ground preparation deals with exterior slab; not interior (vapor barrier). Lacking specifics about Grout. Information and guidance on Rebar. Shows rebar placement pitfalls. Compliments Working with Concrete (for Pros by Pros)

This book has helped to teach me the fundamental facts about foundations, which is the first thing in home-building. However, I believe it omits certain types of foundations which are just as necessary to know about, namely, the frost protected shallow foundation and the floating slab foundation.

Nice

Got the basics

This book is an excerpt of the book titled working with concrete. I bought working with concrete and the pages on foundations and footings are almost the exact same. I wish there was more detail on footing and foundation layout in this book.

As always books from Taunton's and fine homebuilding are great value for money. I purchased this for fine tuning on what it already know.

When buying DIY books make sure they are in the realm of what you need, that's the key to not wasting time and money. I just needed to be able to supervise a foundation pour, I wasn't about to attempt one on my own. This book shows you why you wouldn't attempt it on your own.