A complete course in basic framing, including information on tools, plans, codes, permits, lumber and materials.

Even if you are not doing the building yourself. This will provide you with the understanding of what is going on. If you are doing the building then you need this book so you can plan hoe to do it.

I canot review this bok at its the only one out of about seven books i ordered on amazon. I wrote to whoever was supposed to send it and i have heard nothing back. This is the last amazon book purchase i will make. They sure charged my credit card though.

Given the contradiction in the subtitle, I should have been wary. The book claims to explain "basic framing", but is "for pros by pros". The problem is that the book never finishes anything it starts. The instructions are vague and incomplete, and don't discuss what to do when things go wrong.

The book explains a few "tricks", which are interesting and might save some time. But they largely seem obvious, like cutting as many boards at once as possible. What tricks are interesting would include recovering from mistakes--real pros know what to do when things aren't going well, or how to save the day when something goes wrong. This book doesn't explain how to square or true a wall, doesn't give good suggestions drawing out the framing or laying out the wall before raising it.

The book spends a lot of time on roofs, but doesn't give any good advice for measuring angles or helping with complicated, multi-angle cuts.

This is a second edition, but I don't think any of the pictures have been updated; the illustrations all feature products from companies that are out of business, and are obviously dated. Many newer techniques, such as using pre-fabricated steel joist hangers, or working with newer manufactured materials, simply aren't covered.

I was so disappointed with this title that I've returned it.

VERY informative, need a slight tweeking for 2008 Guidelines for Los Angeles County. Otherwise I thought it was excellent reading, either at the site or in the kitchen with a cup of Coffee.
They need to rethink the binding, the pages fall out after awhile, but Otherwise I'm ready for the next edition. Many thanks to the Author.

I want a Larry Haun tee shirt, beer mug, calendar, tool bag and special edition saw. It is a pleasure to read a book that was written by someone who knows what he is talking about. It doesn't get any better for me. I'm not kidding, this is one of those rare books that teach a trade in an inspiring way. For what I'm up to, I will never need to look at another framing book.