Category: Education/Training Publisher: Up From The Ground Publishing
ISBN-10: 0991327705
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 343
Copyright: Jan 2, 2014
ISBN-13: 9780991327706
Price: $37.00 (eBook)
A Business Handbook for Residential Builders & Tradesmen
Mike Reitz, the founder and editor of The Journal of Light Construction said of EOB: " Practical, direct, no-nonsense. Wish I'd had this when I was starting out. . . and for the decade after that. It is a very good book. . . "
" . . . The Elements of Building is one of a very small number of books relating to the leadership and management of light frame construction companies that is worth reading -- including for experienced builders. " David Gerstel, author of Running A Successful Construction Company
" I found your book highly readable and thought provoking. " David Gerstel, author of Running A Successful Construction Company
" Even though I have been building and writing about building for forty years, (EOB) gave me good ideas I have never encountered before. " David Gerstel, author of Running A Successful Construction Company
“ EOB is packed with a lifetime of practical, hard-won wisdom on how to succeed with a small construction business. Every contractor should read this compact book cover to cover and reread it often. It won't guarantee your success, but will help you steer clear of the many pitfalls that could guarantee your failure. ” Steve Bliss, Editorial Director of The Journal of Light Construction
“The Elements of Building explores all of the forms and process of the construction business blended with a healthy respect for ethical considerations and practices that help define us as professionals.” Alex Gromada, Coordinator, Southern Illinois CJAP
As I read The Elements of Building, I found myself saying…”this is all the stuff you can’t read in a book”.” Alex Gromada, Coordinator, Southern Illinois CJAP
Excerpt
As a young carpenter-builder I searched long and hard for advice about the non-construction aspects of residential building: how to manage money, deal with customers, use professionals, hire and manage employees and subs, and much more. Either I did not find it at all or I found it scattered in bits and pieces and most of my answers came by trial and error: a slow, confusing, and often painful process. Throughout my career I met hundreds of tradesmen and builders who, often without realizing it, were looking for the same information that I was. Therefore, this book is written for myself 30+ years ago, and for the painter-plumber-drywaller-carpenter—for the tradesman—who, having mastered a craft, determine to open a business.
Professional Reviews
A book review by Nate Liederbach
The Elements of Building declares itself a business handbook for residential builders and tradesmen, but it is much more. After nearly forty years in the trade, Kerson has compiled the wisdom of the residential contracting business in an effort to help young tradesmen and builders manage the many obstacles they will encounter. EOB is an invaluable tricks-of-the-trade business manual written in an accessible style, it can be read straight through, or simply indexed for quick, on-the-move insights.
Kerson writes in his introduction, “I envisioned a small book, well-worn, which, like a seasoned builder, offered encouragement and advice gleaned from years of experience.” He has more than accomplished his mission, for much of EOB’s careful formulation is conversation, the author’s own extended dialogue with a vast array of other thinkers, leaders, and professionals. This is a book begging to be used and handed-down from generation to generation.
This book is for first responders who want to improve their communication at work, at home, and in public.
Note: The contents of this book are mostly included in the book for supervisors, Leadership Training for First Responders. Therefore,
This book is for all first responders (law enforcement, fire, or other emergency personnel) who are or want to be supervisors in their agencies. It goes through all facets of good leadership.
