There are many times when a helper would make a job easier, and in some cases doable at all, but with John Carroll's clever, expert tips, there's no need to wait for help. This book, the only one of its kind, offers ways to get by with not only one pair of hands but to work more efficiently as well. A perfect example is the problem of bringing a large sheet of plywood up a ladder. Even with a helper this is a difficult and dangerous task. But if a large C-clamp is fastened to one end of the plywood, it's easy to pull the sheet up the ladder from behind.

Professional builders and contractors who work alone or in small crews will find this book full of invaluable ways to keep the work moving, without costly delays or the need to hire additional helpers. Homeowners, who are often faced with working alone, will use these clever techniques to solve common problems safely.

I'm just finishing a 10 x 20 room addition for a customer. I purchased this book at the beginning of this project and have found Mr. Carroll's book refreshing and informative. There were many ideas and suggestions that were benificial. I found the rafter layout-jig very useful.

His suggestions about the "math" of the rafter was very useful, and increased my capacity to complete the job in a timely maner which helped my bottom line.

I appreciated his easy reading style and found his book enjoyable.

I wish his information on the cornice system had been a little more detailed, but found his explanations sufficent.

I found his information about clamps and holding jigs to be of special interest and enjoyed all of his book. I even bought his other book, "Measuring, Marking, and Layout", which I also found enlighting, enjoyable, fun, and benificial, to my professional standing as a remodeler.

Thanks for two great books, that help take the mystery out of some of the more complex parts of our profession.

Respectfully

Reeder Lyons IMH Remodeling & Repair


Gleaning one useful tip alone worth the book's price   December 22, 2000
John A. Grossbohlin (Kingston, NY USA)
34 out of 35 found this review helpful

It has been some 30 years since I first helped build a 4 car garage and there have been many "working alone" projects, ranging from additions, to decks, to complete home remodels since. I'm completely remodeling a house now... Over those years I figured out many of the tips in the book myself. However, it would have been far more efficient to have had the book 30 years ago. The book somewhat makes up for not having a mentor... i.e., someone to "cause [you] to be taught Informed and Instructed in the Trade, Art and Mystery of a [builder]." (Paraphrased from an 18th century apprenticeship agreement). I'm about to order another copy for my brother...


Speaking as a novice...   February 7, 2004
MicrobeMentor (San Diego, CA USA)
32 out of 33 found this review helpful

this book was extremely helpful to me in building a detached room for my son. The book was recommended from a website about building small houses, so I reserved it through our library. Having read the book, I found the tips and explanations for framing rafters provided clarification for the sketchy instructions from the 5 other books we have about building outbuildings. Perhaps using clamps and homemade jigs to support work is a given for a professional, but it was an eye-opener for me! I did extensive renovation on my historical house, but had help from friends to do it. Building this room from the ground up mostly alone is a different matter. I wish we had this book when we were trying to square the foundation. I am now ordering the book for myself, as the library wants their own book back!!


Just the thing for homeowners   October 17, 1999
21 out of 22 found this review helpful

As a guy who spends every weekend and nearly every vacation working on my home, this great little book is a godsend. With three kids at home under the age 10, my only possible helper--my wife--spends all her time taking care of them. That leaves just me to get the work done and,frankly, it's not easy doing all this by myself. Then along comes John Carroll to show the way. Carroll has figured out ways to do things without a helper that would've taken me a century of weekends to figure out. Thanks.


Very useful little book   December 13, 1999
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I have been working on old houses almost all of my life(60 years). Had a new house once but found it was pretty boring stuff. One thing I have learned from Mr Carroll's book is: most projects can be done alone if you are willing to plan them through... I look forward to putting some of the techniques described in this book into practice soon. Thanks