Measuring, Marking & Layout: A Builder's Guide (For Pros by Pros)

This book is a must-have for anyone who considers themselves beyond an entry-level carpenter. A lot of the ideas, tips, and theories in the book build upon common practices, and most of the projects are a little more advanced than hanging a shelf. The book covers everything from planning the site for a new construction, to framing the walls and roof, installing siding and shingles, etc. But even as a first-timer, there is plenty of knowledge in this book for you.My usage for this book has mostly been for cutting rafters, both on a jobsite and for a shed I just built. This book gives you detailed instructions for measuring and cutting rafters without getting into the painful details of a beginner's guide to carpentry. I was able to calculate everything quickly and precisely, and there was even a guide on how to build a time-saving template to lay out your rafters identically.This is the 2nd time I have bought this book- I loaned my first copy to a coworker who didn't want to give it back! I told him Merry Christmas and bought another copy for myself. John Carroll definitely knows what he is talking about, and I appreciate his writing style.For the record, I am a licensed residential contractor with 10 years of experience, and I still found this book helpful. This was not written so advanced that the beginner won't understand- I think it is very clear and concise, and will give people a better understanding of the more technical side of the job.

I have consistently bought construction books on actual building with the intent that I will inevitably waste money. This guy here is no joke, nails construction concepts on the head, with diagrams. He provides a practical point of view of construction from foundation, along with varying foundation or basement types, to the roof, and provides the building blocks of being a real construction person. Whether professionally, or doing your own like a professional. He goes through the trouble of lending an understanding of construction nuts and bolts where tools are concerned as well. A MUST HAVE FOR ANY DO-IT-YOURSELFERS. If all you want to do is go to the bank and get money so someone else will build it, reading this book will help you draft your blue prints to the actual sizes needed to accommodate exactly what you are really looking for. Well worth the money.

The author is a contributor to Fine Homebuilding and really writes with an easy clarity. Really useful information on a variety of challenges you will face in construction. Highly recommended.

Excellent book with lots of useful info and tips. I have a couple books by this author and both are well written. Good purchase for a serious DIYer who wants to improve his or her skills.

Very detailed book and packed with information. This book teaches you the theory of techniques you know and use everyday, and ones you should be using. I am impressed and surprised how much I learned!

I am by no means at the skill level of a professional contractor, but I have completed various renovations that look pretty professional if I say so myself. They just took a lot longer than a professional would have :) In this book there were many little tid-bits that I have used religiously since reading it. My measurements are more exact and I spend less time 2nd and 3rd cutting to get it perfect. Well worth the money.

Good book, a lot of very good tips and information contained within.

got this so i can read and learn before i ruin costly materials. putting it in my library for self-sufficiency books. will start small with a shed and go from there. this explains in detail how to do things that other books leave out. i feel i now have enough information to level something out, squaring up something, laying a foundation, to even cutting rafters. thank you for this book!

I bought this book having had 22 years experience in the construction industry. Lately I have been taking more of an interest in the skills of other trades, things that have confused me for years are simply and clearly explained in this book. Mr Carroll shows the value of setting out a job properly. I have myself witnessed time consuming and costly errors being made by "Tradesmen".This book is a must have for any tradesman. It is worth its cover price for the many useful tables in the back.A ten star book.

Excellent on time as stated in their brief and delivered to the door without a hassle or a worry well done. Cheers

If I can learn just one thing from a book that makes me more productive or I can produce a better job and it runs between 15 & 20 bucks, I consider it worthwhile. This book was worthwhile. A good beginners book.

loaded with useful knowledge; easily applied.

Unless you already know all this stuff,get and read his book!saves much frustration, wasted-effort and grief!Read all his books, by the way: he's helpful!