Contractor's Field Guide, The

Book Synopsis: This Field Guide provides important checkpoints for the general contractor, the subcontractor, owner, architect, and others involved in construction projects. The Guide will also prove helpful to realtors, appraisers, property claim personnel, and to lawyers.

Section I, Legal and Practical Relationships

reviews the important aspects of contracts and documents, such as: -- Specifications-- Building codes, permits, and inspections-- Construction financing-- Insurance and bonds-- Labor-management relationships and legislation

Contract documents and jurisdictional disputes are examined: resolution options are offered along with "helpful hints" for solutions. Project safety and health programs are outlined with a comprehensive checklist for guidance.

Section II, Construction Management

offers a guide for planning and scheduling the construction project and includes the Critical Path Method (CPM). Progress estimating and cost control are discussed and appropriate measures suggested.

Section III, Construction Materials and Methods

reviews the fundamentals and principles of estimating construction costs. It suggest ways to avoid errors in scoping and estimating materials and labor.

This section contains tables and formulas for rapidly determining material quantities and approximating productivity of workers. It covers major trades from construction site exploration through the complete erection and finishing of a building project. Several figures illustrate construction process. Numerous examples and checklists to guide the reader are included. A review of mathematics is presented in the last chapter.