Chapter 1 — Further Reading and Resources
Books
1. "How a House Works" — the inspiration for this book's title Though this book is self-referential, the underlying tradition of home systems education is rich. The Family Handyman's comprehensive guides and similar works by Taunton Press have defined the genre. Look for any Taunton Press title on residential construction as a complement to this book — their craft-focused approach covers specific systems in greater depth than an overview chapter can.
2. "The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling" by Charlie Wing (Storey Publishing) An illustrated reference covering virtually every system in residential construction. Wing's diagrams are exceptionally clear, and the book is organized similarly to how this chapter thinks about houses — by system and by trade. Invaluable as a reference to keep on the shelf.
3. "Code Check Complete" by Redwood Kardon, Douglas Hansen, and Casey Laborin (Taunton Press) A surprisingly readable guide to residential building codes, organized visually. If you want to understand what "code compliant" actually means for each system in your home, this is where to start.
Online Resources
4. The International Residential Code (IRC) — Free Online at UpCodes.com The International Residential Code is the model building code adopted (with local modifications) by most U.S. jurisdictions. It governs the minimum standards for residential construction. Searching the IRC for a specific system — say, floor joist spans or bathroom ventilation requirements — often gives you the clearest possible answer to "what's required." The UpCodes website makes it searchable for free. URL: up.codes/viewer/irc
5. HUD's "How to Be a Smart Homebuyer" Resource Library The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development maintains a resource library for homebuyers and homeowners. It's particularly useful for understanding the legal and regulatory side of homeownership — permits, COs, inspection requirements — that this chapter covers at a high level. URL: hud.gov/topics/buying_a_home
6. Your State Contractor Licensing Board Every state that licenses construction trades maintains a public database where you can verify whether a contractor holds an active license and whether any complaints or disciplinary actions have been filed. Search "[your state] contractor licensing board" for the specific URL. This takes two minutes and should be non-negotiable before hiring anyone for licensed trade work.
Video Resources
7. Matt Risinger's YouTube Channel — "Build Show Network" Matt Risinger is a Texas-based builder who produces genuinely educational content about residential construction practices, building science, and code compliance. His channel is particularly good on building envelope, moisture management, and the "why" behind construction decisions — not just "how to do it" but "why it matters." Strong technical depth without being inaccessible. YouTube: @BuildShowNetwork
8. "This Old House" YouTube and streaming archives The long-running This Old House series has been documenting residential construction and renovation in detail since 1979. The archived episodes function as a visual construction sequence textbook. Their newer Ask This Old House content is more DIY-focused and covers maintenance and repair topics that align well with later chapters of this book. YouTube: @thisoldhouse
Data and Research
9. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) — "Home Building Facts" The NAHB publishes regular data on residential construction costs, materials used, home sizes, and construction timelines. If you want to understand how the numbers in this chapter (construction cost ranges, typical permit timelines, trade costs) are derived, their research division is a primary source. URL: nahb.org/research/housing-economics
10. Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies — "The State of the Nation's Housing" Published annually, this report tracks housing costs, construction trends, renovation spending, and the age of the housing stock (relevant to understanding deferred maintenance at a national scale). It contextualizes your individual home within broader housing market trends. URL: jchs.harvard.edu
Specific to This Chapter's Topics
11. "Understanding Building Codes and Permits" — This Old House editorial A concise, accessible article covering what permits are required, why they exist, and what happens when work is done without them. Directly applicable to the Certificate of Occupancy discussion in Section 1.2. Search: "This Old House building permits guide"
12. OSHA Small Business Resources — "Construction Safety Basics for Homeowners" If you're going to be supervising contractors or doing DIY work that puts you on a ladder or in a crawlspace, understanding basic construction safety is non-negotiable. OSHA's homeowner-facing resources are free and cover fall protection, electrical safety, and confined space entry (relevant for crawlspace work). URL: osha.gov/smallbusiness/construction
A Note on Local Resources
Every chapter in this book recommends that you develop relationships with local professionals. For Chapter 1, the most valuable local resource you can cultivate is a trusted home inspector. A good inspector knows your local building stock — the failure modes common to homes built in your area in your era, the soil conditions, the climate-driven vulnerabilities. They are a wealth of knowledge that generic national resources cannot replicate. If you don't have a trusted inspector yet, ask neighbors who've recently bought homes, or ask a real estate attorney who they've seen do thorough work.
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) both maintain inspector directories and credential verification at ashi.org and nachi.org respectively.