Masonry Magazine March 1982 Page. 23
Books
"Construction Litigation," edited by Kenneth M. Cushman. 825 pages: $65. Practising Law Institute, att: June E. McDonald, Book Publicity Manager, 810 7th Ave., New York, NY 10019.
Designed for lawyers and allied professionals, this book helps the reader to identify a construction contract problem, appraise the potential risk, and resolve the dispute without the protracted and expensive litigation often typical of this industry.
The book examines such major recurring problems as mistakes in bids and bid disputes, scope-of-work disputes, delays and disruptions, and construction failures. It also focuses on liabilities and responsibilities of the various parties likely to participate in a large construction project, including architects, engineers, multiple prime contractors, construction managers, construction lenders, sureties and insurers.
Kenneth M. Cushman, a partner in the Philadelphia office of the law firm of Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz, has practiced construction litigation and surety law for the past 20 years. He is a vice chairman of the American Bar Association's Fidelity & Surety Section and executive vice chairman of its Claims & Disputes Procedures Subcommittee.
• A good supervisor is someone who can step on your toes without messing up your shine.
Home Builders' Handbook
"Illustrated Handbook of Home Construction" by Halsey A. Van Orman. 320 pages: 130 illustrations; 11 × 8%. $21.95 cloth cover; $14.95 paperback. Publication date: January, 1982. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 135 W. 50th St.. New York, NY 10020.
This practical handbook outlines the best procedures used to build a home, from conception to construction. The author provides all the how-to's of estimating, labor and design, as well as background material on applicable mathematics, architectural drawings, specifications and contracts.
Halsey A. Van Orman is the author of Estimating for Residential Construction. A graduate of the State University of New York at Delhi where he majored in construction and architectural drafting. Van Orman currently is a vocational supervisor. He worked in the construction field for over 30 years as a bricklayer, foreman and superintendent.
• The person who gets ahead is the one who does more than is necessary-and keeps on doing it.
"1982 Residential Cost Manual: New Construction. Remodeling and Valuation" by Coert Engelsman. 382 pages: 11 x 8½; $29.95. Publication date: December, 1981. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 135 W. 50th St., New York, NY 10020.
From Cape Cods to multiple family houses of up to five units, this manual lists today's prices for tools and equipment rental, clearing operations, and a variety of building materials as well as cost data for remodeling, repairs and additions.
The manual consists of three parts: Part 1-Construction; Part 2-Remodeling, Repairs and Additions, and Part 3-Valuation.
The purpose of Parts 1 and 2 is to provide unit prices for residential construction items, covering various types of single family homes and multiple family housing units and remodeling and repairs. Part 3 covers the valuation of various types of single family homes and multi-family housing units, giving square foot costs for the appraisal of the replacement value.
• The trouble with people who talk too fast is that they often say something they haven't thought of yet.
Concrete Restoration
"Concrete International: Design & Construction." 118 pages; $7.95; $6.25 to ACI members; $2.00 shipping and handling fee. American Concrete Institute, Box 19150, Detroit, MI 48219.
The repair and restoration of concrete structures is the subject of this new publication by the American Concrete Institute. The 118-page aid to designers and contractors is a compilation of articles which appeared in the September, 1980 issue of ACI's Concrete International.
The compilation includes articles on the repair of fire-damaged concrete; sawing and drilling: cleaning masonry surfaces; uses of epoxy injections; shotcrete repair; underwater grouting: repair of abrasion-erosion damage: high performance patching systems and other topics.
Concrete International noted that concrete repair and restoration will be a "major public works priority" of the 80s because of inflation, funding cutbacks and other factors which will curb new construction.
The Webster's of Wall-talk.
Masonry has a language all its own. U-block, c/b ratio, flashing, furring, toothing-these are but a few of the terms you'll need to know if you deal with any aspect of masonry construction. In the International Masonry Institute's Masonry Glossary, you'll find concise definitions for over 650 of the most commonly used masonry terms. To order your copy, send a check or money order for $11.95 ($7.57 for MCAA members) to: The International Masonry Institute, 823 Fifteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.