| No matter what type of fence you plan to build, this practical manual has the information you need to do professional quality work, from selecting the right materials to laying out each post and applying the right finish. Anyone who builds fences and retaining walls can use the simplified designs and instruction methods, time- and money-saving tips, and practical advice in this manual. It's the most complete, most useful, most up-to-date reference
available for every fence, railing and retaining wall job.
Thumb through the pages of this book. You'll notice right away the detailed, easy-to-follow explanations, hundreds of photos and diagrams and step-by-step
instructions - for every common type of fence, rail and retaining wall:
- Board, rail and picket fences
- Construction details and tips
- Welded metal fences and rails
- Plywood panel fences
- Concrete block and brick walls
- Retaining walls and rock walls
- Chain link and wire fences
- Troubleshooting and repairs
- Gates and entrances
- Wiring and plumbing in walls
If you're handling your first fence job, you'll appreciate the clear explanation of basic fence and wall building principles. But even experienced
professional fence and wall builders can use the tips and tricks explained here: setting up a fence contracting company, selling fence work, contracts,
bookkeeping, and a complete chapter on estimating (with manhour tables covering every part of just about any job you'll handle). Includes blank forms
you can copy and use when planning and bidding jobs.
Excerpt from Chapter One:
It's hard to imagine a world without fences. We need them to keep some things in and other things out. We need them to preserve our privacy. A world
without fences? Not likely. And that's why fence building is good business for construction contractors. Nearly every significant new construction
project includes a fence or wall. If you're qualified to build fences and retaining walls, there will be work to bid on nearly every job. That can help
build a nice extra profit into every project you handle.
This book is written for professional fence and retaining wall builders. Maybe you're already a licensed contractor. Maybe you're working in the trade
on the payroll of a contractor. Maybe you're building your first fence. Or maybe you're a student who wants to learn fence and wall building. It doesn't
matter, this manual has the information you need.
Established contractors will learn the fine points of fence building - including suggestions on dealing with customers, employees and the IRS After reading this book, you'll probably want to pass it along to a friend, apprentice, or new employee.
If you're new to fence building, you should have no trouble following my explanations. I'll take it step by step and include all the pictures you could
want. That should make it easier to learn the essentials of fence building.
If you're an apprentice studying for your license, this book is for you. I wrote it with the California C-13 Fence Contractor's license exam in mind.
Between the covers of this manual you'll find answers to nearly all the questions on the exam. The business chapters will help you set up your own
contracting business and keep you from making expensive mistakes.
For the homeowner building a first fence, I've provided simplified designs and construction techniques. The section on fence and retaining wall problems
can help you avoid mistakes others have made. You'll also learn to fix existing fences and walls. I've included a glossary of terms, so when you talk to suppliers and contractors, you'll be speaking their language.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Fence and Wall Specialties; Chapter 2: Layout and Design; Chapter 3: Wood Fences; Chapter 4: Block Walls and Brick Walls; Chapter 5: Chain Link and Wire Fences;
Chapter 6: Metal Fences; Chapter 7: Gates and Entrances; Chapter 8: Finishing Fences and Walls; Chapter 9: Troubleshooting and Repairs; Chapter 10: Wiring and Plumbing; Chapter 11: Retaining Walls and Rock Walls; Chapter 12: Get Your Business Started Right; Chapter 13: The Books You Keep; Chapter 14: Sales and Contractor's Law; Chapter 15: Safety on the Job; Chapter 16: Estimating; Chapter 17: Contractor's Math; Glossary; Index
About the Author:
Bill McElroy has been in the construction industry nearly thirty years. Most of what's in this book he had to learn the hard way - by doing it. He
knows how to do professional quality work, spot potential problems before they become major headaches and what to do when "surprises" come along. He compiled this manual so others just learning the trade will have at their fingertips all of the information it took him years to discover. This is his second construction manual written for Craftsman Book Company. |
