Editorial Review

This is a great general fix-it book for the do-it-yourselfer. The authors have packed a lot of helpful information into this comprehensive guide to home improvements, from winterizing windows to unclogging stopped drains, painting, repairing furniture, installing flooring, weather-stripping doors and windows, making basic plumbing and electrical repairs and improvements, and completing indoor and outdoor projects. Like all the books in the Dummies series, special icons highlight "Great Gadgets," tools and specialty devices to make projects go faster; "Safety First," with tips on potential dangers and how to avoid them; and "Remember," indicating special points to remember during projects. Well organized and indexed for easy reference, the book is filled with hundreds of helpful diagrams and illustrations. This is a great gift book for the new homeowner or anyone off to a new house or apartment for the first time. Even if you have no tools and little experience, you'll find which tools you must have for any project. By simply following the straightforward instructions, this book will have you looking like a pro in no time. Read more

Reviews (2)

Home Improvement for Dummies
My recommendation would be to not buy this book. Unless you mostly want to read about how to hire a contractor. There are a few books out there much better for the weekend do it yourselfer then this.

A good primer
Having just entered into home-owning (versus apartment-dwelling) I'veembarked on a crash course in home improvement.So far, this book has beena good resource, especially in terms of =illustrating= what I'm supposed todo.I need the visual cues to understand how part A is supposed to fitinto part B and so on.This is one book I think I will be referring tooften. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Dwellings    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. House & Home    8. Interior decoration    9. Maintenance and repair    10. Remodeling    11. Remodeling & Renovation - General    12. Repair    13. Home furnishing & decoration    14. House & Home / General    15. House maintenance   

Editorial Review

Any home-renovation project--whether it's building a dream home from the ground up, remodeling the kitchen, or redecorating a child's room--is a complex job with hundreds of details that need to be thought through, planned for, and tracked. Read more

Reviews (2)

It's OK, as far as it goes
I read through this book after reading Diane Plesset's book, "THE Survival Guide: Home Remodeling", and was somewhat disapointed in the content of this book.Yes, there are questionairs, but Ms. Plesset's are more complete.Yes, there are cost guides, but again, Ms. Plesset's are more complete. Just purchased and it looks great!
My only reservation so far is ALL the copying of forms to make the book more re-useable (btw this is suggested in the book). Be sure and turn up the darkness setting on the copier, because the pages are printed in very light colors.Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Dwellings    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Planning    8. Remodeling    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. DIY    11. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation   

Reviews (1)

up to date clear consise basic manual
This book covers pretty much all the basics. Including basic appliance repair. Lots of clear illusrations. Covers basic techniques with shortcuts and hints. This book shows you how to do what you want to do. We checkedthis book out from the library and were so impressed we bought a copy forhome reference.We only gave this book four stars because it dosen't dothe work for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Bathrooms    3. Decorating    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Home Maintenance And Repair    8. House & Home    9. Kitchens    10. Remodeling    11. Remodeling & Renovation - Bathrooms    12. Remodeling & Renovation - Kitchens    13. Repair   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Garden structures    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Landscape construction    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (18)

Kinda like a nice big jar of eye candy for your coffee table
Don't have a subscription to the magazine, but bet I'd like it!Also, I don't mind when magazines publish "best of" compilations of articles to a specific theme -
Make Your Place Unique
Anyone remember the 1970s magazine, Apartment Living (or was it Apartment Life)?The style and projects in this book remind me of that innovative magazine.I wish the projects had the step-by-step instructions and graphics, but actually they look manageable even without the details.
It's not cheap but...
I don't know how they can call this "home cheap home". $1750 for an outdoor table & chair set? $450 for an orange lamp? $1400 for a red carpet runner? $1200 for a chandelier? I could go on & on.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (7)

Plans Suck.
Although the book's helpful for learning how telescopes work and how they're made, the real purpose of the book is to show how to make five telescopes.That's why people supposedly buy it, given its title.But the truth is that the plans suck.He doesn't label parts in his diagrams.The dimensions in the text don't match the dimensions in the diagrams.After reading many of his paragraphs on putting the telescopes together, you'll think "What?What the )(&(^^% are you talking about?"You'll realize a lot of its going to be guesswork, on your part! This is because the plans do a piss poor job of even minimally explaining how to build the thing.A 12th grader could have written better plans.The book needs to be rewritten by someone NOT the author, who knows how to write plans in an accurate easy to read step-by-step manner.

A great book for budding ATMs
I first bought this book in 1989, and built the 10" Dobsonian described therein.Berry's talent lies is paring down a lot of the information available in other books, and telling you in clear, simple terms what you need to know.His directions for grinding a telescope mirror (I did this with a 6" mirror) are the clearest I've read.His technique for mirror grinding is clearly explained and easier to follow than many other books.There are also sections on testing mirrors, collimation, and other subjects helpful to amateur telescope makers.If you intend to build your own telescope, this book is a must.Even if you are a do-it-your-selfer who doesn't desire to build a telescope, or you have a general interest in astronomy, you'll find this book interesting.Fourteen years after I built the 10" Dobsonian described in this book, I would not change one single aspect of its design--thank you Richard Berry.

Great Plans - Great Results!
Great book on telescope building. I built his 6" equitorial mount reflector in 1987 and its still going strong. A wonderful place to start! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. House & Home    4. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Telescopes   

Reviews (2)

An Audel Classic!
I wondered where the great Audel brand had gone until I saw this book, probably one of the most known books of all the old Audel's I have in my collector's library. Anyone who does anything with his hands, whether at home in the garage or on the shop floor should buy this book.

Great revision!
I'm a shop foreman and I need to know A to Z about everything mechanical and how to fix it. This is the only book I could ever find with millwrights information in it and blacksmithing, but all I had was my dog-eared, ancient copy. Until now. Finally a new edition and none of the good material has been disturbed. This a must-have for every shop-every shop foreman. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. Engineering - Mechanical    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Machine Engineering (General)    7. Machinery    8. Mechanical Engineering (General)    9. Mechanical engineering    10. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    11. Technology    12. Automotive (motor mechanic) skills    13. Technology / Technical & Manufacturing Industries & Trades   

Reviews (2)

Learn how to replace rotten logs, notch logs, use vintage logs, or handle floor joists in this step-by-step guide
The hewn-log house represents early American architecture - and author Charles McRaven has been building and restoring these houses for sixty years: he's in the perfect position to illustrate each step of the process, from building from scratch to repairs. Learn how to replace rotten logs, notch logs, use vintage logs, or handle floor joists in this step-by-step guide, loaded with black and white photos.
Don't waste your money!!
This book is a poor attempt. I've read pamphlets with more usable information in them. The section on Hewing is a joke, as is most all the rest of this book. Very few hints and techniques in this book, which was very disappointing. Lots of self pumping-up, not no real instruction detail. Stick to writing books about stone, Mr. McRaven and give the timber world a sigh of relief. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conservation and restoration    2. Construction - General    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Historic buildings    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Log cabins    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Technology    12. Technology & Industrial Arts    13. Building construction & materials    14. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Reviews (5)

LOVE the book, hate the binding
I love this book.It has ideas for REAL families.Sometimes you flip through books and magazines that have decorating and organizing projects for some fictional family that must have way too much money, way too much time, and kids who don't behave like real kids.This is a very down-to-earth, realistic book of projects that are doable, affordable, and work for real people.
Mom's New Best Friend
I received this book for Christmas and I've already used it three times.My two year old son loves that he can be a "big boy" and do things all on his own (get his own snack, put his toys back in the right boxes, etc.).We're heading out today to get some more supplies today!

Terrific book for practical families!
I purchased this book when we bought our first home.I have made many of the projects to fit our home and decorating style.The projects are easy, fun, and EXTREMELY useful!!Some of the ideas I have used with my 7 and 5 year old relatives as crafts that serve a decorative and practical purpose - they love to use what they made.Even my husband likes this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts for Children    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. General    5. Handicraft    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Interior decoration    9. Storage in the home    10. House & Home / General   

Reviews (12)

It's all metric!
The weapon described in this book looks like it would be of great utility to own, in times of need. The drawings are clear, as are the instructions. The design was carefully worked out so that partisans could manufacture the weapon covertly, with parts distributed among many small shops, and in great quantity. And, most importantly, the steel stock used are all very common sizes of material, easily available at any steel supply house IN EUROPE! However, none of the materials called for are available in America! I love the book, however, when the Ummah forces my family into dhimmitude, I will have to die in place, since this book won't help the resistance at all.

Best Sub-Gun Book
Just got the book this afternoon and let me tell you that this is a keeper. Angry plus dissapointment
After buying and reading the book I realized that I need a lathe to make the gun. Lost my money! I think that the author should let the visitors know about that "little fact" before buying the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Firearms & Weapons    6. General    7. Gunsmithing    8. House & Home    9. Military Science    10. Submachine guns    11. DIY    12. History / Military / Weapons    13. Small firearms, guns & other equipment   

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself   

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decoration and ornament, Architectural, in interior decoration    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Interior Design - General    8. Interior decoration    9. DIY    10. HEALTH & FITNESS - EXERCISE TRD PB    11. Home furnishing & decoration    12. House & Home / Decorating    13. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. Garden Design    4. Garden Furnishings    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Home Maintenance And Repair    8. House & Home    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. Outdoor Life    11. DIY    12. Garden design & planning   

Reviews (1)

caveat emptor
The organization is excellent; the presentation of a series of sample projects makes the information very accessible to the novice, while providing some flexibility in how you can use the book.If one of the projects is exactly what you want to do, just read that section and plunge right in.If you don't know what you want to do, or want to do something a little different from what is described, read the entire book and get a good understanding of both basic principles and the variations that are possible.I had nothing bad to say about this book immediately after reading it (several times), but imagine my surprise when, while researching concrete pavers online, I ran across a familiar photograph - from this book - at a paver manufacturer's website.Reading the acknowledgements and copyright info for the book confirmed it - a number of the supplemental photographs are marketing materials provided by manufacturers.No wonder that this book seems to imply that pre-cast concrete pavers are the greatest thing since sliced bread!It seems obvious in retrospect that the book is biased by this manufacturer input.For this reason, if you are hoping to save a lot of money with DIY, this may not be the book for you.It doesn't cover the cheapest patio/walkway options (gravel and concrete), and the emphasis is more on saving money on labor so that you can spend extravagantly on materials.If you already know that gravel and concrete aren't quite right for you, then this might be just the book you need. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Design & Construction    3. Design and construction    4. Do it yourself work    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Do-It-Yourself - General    7. Garden walks    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House & Home    10. Landscape    11. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    12. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Patios & Decks    13. Outdoor Structure Construction    14. Patios    15. Garden design & planning    16. House & Home / Design & Construction    17. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself    18. Landscape gardening   

Subjects:  1. Air tightness    2. Buildings    3. Construction - General    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Dwellings    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Home Maintenance And Repair    9. House & Home    10. Insulation    11. Remodeling & Renovation - Energy Efficient    12. Remodeling & Renovation - General    13. Sealing (Technology)    14. Technology & Industrial Arts    15. BG-COOKBKS - BG - COOKBOOKS    16. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY PRESCHOOL    17. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation   

Editorial Review

One of the surest ways to save a bundle of money on any serious home renovation is to be your own contractor. However, if an individual embarks on this effort not armed with all the facts and formalities, it can also be the proverbial primrose path to financial hell. Becoming your own contractor is neither as simple as it might seem, nor as potentially intimidating as worst-case scenarios might leave one to believe, if you have the facts and information you need before you begin.Read more

Reviews (3)

Weak!
This is a high level overview of renovation with almost no useful details.The author tries to address too many things and in doing so never goes into depth anywhere.I bought the book to learn his take on cost estimation.He spends 1/2 page giving ballpark numbers for an "average-sized house" and it is too high level and he leaves a bunch of stuff out.If you know absolutely nothing about renovation then this book is a quick read and it might give you an idea of SOME of what there is to learn elsewhere.If you don't know anything about renovation before you read this book and all you do is read this book, HIRE A GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND DON'T ATTEMPT THIS YOURSELF!

Not perfect for a partial remodel
I bought this book because I am remodeling my basement.I find about 1/3 of the book to be useful, maybe a bit more.
book saved us thousands of dollars
My husband and I made a bid on a foreclosed property. The same night I ordered "Be Your Own Home Renovation Contractor."We read through the book when it arrived and because of the tips and expert adviceof the author, we were able to spot major (hidden)defects in the house thatwould have cost us thousands of additional dollars to repair. Needless tosay, we did not buy the foreclosure.We have since found another house andagain, we have saved money using the author's tips and techniques. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - Contracting    3. Construction contracts    4. Contractors    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Do-It-Yourself - General    7. Dwellings    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Home Maintenance And Repair    10. Remodeling    11. Remodeling & Renovation - General    12. Selection and appointment    13. Technology    14. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation    15. House maintenance   

Reviews (2)

Uninspiring
I'm sure a lot of the ideas were excellent.Maybe I'm just a visual person, but I think the book would have been better if it included pictures.It was difficult to read the text and really picture how any of the ideas would look.

Great for guidance
This is a great book, especially if you kind of know what type of look you want, but need help going about it.I now love my suburban cookie cutter home 2 level entry, and it's because of this book!!Won't hold your hand, but will help you think of ideas you can really use! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Decoration & Ornament    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Entrance halls    6. Halls    7. History    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House & Home    10. Interior Design - Style Books    11. Interior decoration    12. Staircases    13. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Architectural Design    2. Architecture    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - General    7. Landscape    8. Landscape Architecture And Design    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Pools, Water Gardens, Ponds   

Subjects:  1. COLOR/DUBBED    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Home Improvement Non-Book    7. House & Home    8. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Dwellings    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Maintenance and repair    8. Reference    9. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself