Review of Ultimate Guide to Plumbing: Complete Projects for the Home (Paperback)

Merle Henkenius holds a master plumber's license and has extensive experience in home construction, so he's the perfect author to create a do-it-yourself plumbing guide in ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PLUMBING: COMPLETE PROJECTS FOR THE HOME, which appears in a new, expanded edition to provide basic step-by-step instruction for installing sinks faucets, showers and repairing all such fixtures. Color photos throughout accompany step-by-step instructions and flow charts which are easy to follow, making this an excellent pick for both do-it-yourself homeowners and libraries catering to them.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Product Description
Ultimate Guide to Plumbing: Complete Projects for the Home is an updated and expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's comprehensive plumbing how-to book, which prepares the do-it-yourselfer to handle any plumbing task in the home, from replacing a washer in a leaky faucet to cutting and joining cast-iron vent pipes. The author's emphasis is on doing things correctly, so all the projects use only code-compliant techniques. The most up-to-date products and techniques are included. The book gives readers an overview of a house's plumbing system, including supply, waste, and vent piping, and explains the basic physics that keep everything working well. Readers learn not only how to plan and complete each project but how to spot and improve outdated or dangerous techniques and materials in their home's plumbing system


Book Description
Ultimate Guide to Plumbing: Complete Projects for the Home is an updated and expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's comprehensive, best-selling plumbing how-to book. Author Merle Henkenius prepares the do-it-yourselfer to handle any plumbing task in the home, from replacing a washer in a leaky faucet to cutting and joining cast-iron vent pipes. Strong emphasis is placed on doing things correctly, so all the projects use only code-compliant techniques. The most up-to-date products and techniques are included. The book gives readers an overview of a house's plumbing system, including supply, waste, and vent piping, and explains the basic physics that keep everything working well. Readers learn not only how to plan and complete each project but how to spot and improve outdated or dangerous techniques and materials in their home's plumbing system.




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Review of Complete Home Gardening: Growing Secrets and Techniques for Gardeners (Paperback)

This book is far from "complete" if you are looking for flower gardening information. The information it contains is good, but far too often only a starting source. If you thought you were going to be able to pick out which flowers to plant where and learn all about your favorite flowers - guess again. I would not purchase this book again (if I had it to do over).

Product Description
Complete Home Gardening: Growing Secrets and Techniques for Gardeners will satisfy those readers who enjoy the process of gardening as much as the finished product. It contains equal parts of inspirational photographs and hands-on instructional pictures. Complete Home Gardening presents the latest gardening techniques for the 21st century gardener with an emphasis on time-saving, efficient practices. There is considerable space devoted to growing herbs, flowers, vegetables, and fruit. This book is perfect for the gardener who wants to know how things grow and why certain practices are more effective.




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Review of Complete Home Landscaping : Designing, Constructing, Planting (Paperback)

Whether you are a professional landscaper or a weekend gardener, this book provides a multitude of information in understandable terms and concepts. From plant selection, starting a new lawn or re-doing an existing one, to building pathways, irrigation systems, and rockeries, this book has it all. The authors have included just about everything you may ask about your yard or garden with helpful directions, options, and instructions. All gardeners should have this resource on their bookshelf. It will be used -and often!



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Review of Home Book: The Ultimate Guide to Repairs & Improvements (Hardcover)

I regretably returned this book since it did not describe how home improvements should be done but instead it just describes what needs to be done.The book read more like an encylopedia than a "do-it-yourself" manual - lots of information but not very helpful.I much prefer Standley's home repair manual which describes, for instance, how to caulk or different techniques for sanding.



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Review of New Complete Home Landscaping (Paperback)

Over 950 photographs and watercolor paintings illustrate New Complete Home Landscaping, a step-by-step guide for amateur and professional landscapers alike. Internationally recognized garden writer Catriona Tudor Erler discusses how to choose the right plants for one's climate and soil conditions, how to install a fence, when to fertilize and what fertilizer to use, fighting common diseases, how to transplant large trees and shrubs, and much more. Packed with pages and pages of detail and explicit constructions, New Complete Home Landscaping lives up to its title as an indispensable and well-rounded resource for anyone seriously contemplating a landscaping project.




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Review of No-Fear Home Improvement: 100 Projects Anyone Can Do (Creative Homeowner) (Paperback)

I bought this book as a gift for my son who is purchasing his first house.The illustrations are clear and colorful.The projects all seem do-able and even fun!

Product Description
Ever wonder how easy it is to fix common household problems by yourself? Well here is the perfect solution to fixing basic household loose ends, regardless of experience. No-Fear Home Improvement: 100 Projects Anyone Can Do is designed to provide instruction and give confidence to the first-time homebuyer and novice do-it-yourselfer. Readers will learn projects that cover simple repairs, such as squeaky doors all the way to electrical problems without having to spend a fortune on labor costs. Each chapter contains a guide to selecting the right tools and materials for the job, problem solving Smart Tips¨, information packed sidebars, and step-by-step photo sequences to thoroughly make it clear how to remedy each problem. Empowerment is the theme of this book, and No Fear Home Improvements: 100 Projects Anyone Can Do seeks to provide homeowners with just that.

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Book Description
No-Fear Home Improvement: 100 Projects Anyone Can Dois designed to provide instruction and give confidence to the first-time home buyer and novice do-it-yourselfer. Empowerment is the theme of this book. Its clear concise step-by-step instructions shows the novice how to handle home emergencies and complete some of the more common home improvement and repair tasks. Readers will learn the basics on selecting and using tools and materials, making simple repairs, and learning how the various systems in their homes work. Projects include repairing walls and floors, fixing simple plumbing leaks, making simple electrical repairs, and more.

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Review of The Smart Approach to Home Renovation (Paperback)

I like the opening sentence of this book, 'Before you take a single step toward fulfilling your remodeling dreams, do a thorough reality check.' Having been through a serious remodel (after a fire) I can assure you that the advice she gives is well founded. Her ideas on working with contractors are very good, but I'd add one more thing to check - contractors are bonded. Find out how big the bond is. If it's say $20,000 and he defaults on four projects, you're only covered to $5,000, max.

Kitchens, this book, and most other books on remodeling show kitchens that have commercial grade gas stovetops. They're really neat, but wait until you see the price of new ones. However, restaurants go out of business and the stoves last forever, you might get a really good price on a used unit. Or in my kitchen I got one that had been used by the restaurant supply company at a trade show. It wasn't new, but the price was less than half.

Tile floor in the kitchen? It looks great. Don't drop anything. A jar of mayo that falls on a carpet is usually OK. On tile, it's a mess.

All in all, lots of good words here that if heeded can save you a bundle of money, of aggravation.

Product Description
Thinking about remodeling but perhaps a little unsure of what to expect? The Smart Approach to® Home Renovation is the latest title in the best-selling series of Smart Approach books. The Smart Approach to® Home Renovation counsels would-be remodelers about the process, from planning and budgeting through completion. Included are the stories of real-life homeowners and their makeovers that include kitchens, baths, additions, exterior updates, and outdoor living spaces. These "Case Studies" are followed by picture-driven Design Workbooks that illustrate important design features within the projects. In all, the book contains hundreds of photographs that include both before and after shots of remodelings, plus plenty of inspirational photos. Like all of the books in this popular series, The Smart Approach to® Home Renovation contains Smart Steps in each chapter that take the homeowner through the process of planning and design. Smart Tips throughout provide special condensed but important pieces of information. An extensive Resource Guide in the back of the book offers information regarding related manufacturers and associations.

Book Description
The Smart Approach to Home Renovation is the latest title in the best-selling series of Smart Approach books. Author Susan Boyle Hillstrom counsels would-be remodelers about the process, from planning and budgeting through completion. She also tells the stories of real-life homeowners and their makeovers that include kitchens, baths, additions, exterior updates, and outdoor living spaces. These "Case Studies" are followed by picture-driven Design Workbooks that illustrate important design features within the projects. In all, the book contains hundred of photographs that include both before and after shots of remodelings, plus plenty of inspirational photos. Like all of the books in this popular series, The Smart Approach to Home Renovation contains Smart Steps in each chapter that take the homeowner through the process of planning and design. Smart Tips throughout provide special condensed but important pieces of information that will prove invaluable to the homeowner.
An extensive Resource Guide at the back of the book offers information regarding related manufacturers and associations.




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Review of New Most-Popular 1-Story Home Plans (Lowe's) (Paperback)

Terrific book full of 97% modern ranch plans.Great use of space with move of the designer/architect plans.House plans are not in order by square footage - which would be a little nicer. I know that it is easy to search through internet house plans - but it is so nice to have a color book with this quality of printed paper.

Cheap price for the quality.Easy to compare the plans you like.

Product Description
Providing a unique combination of full-color photography and illustrations, Most-Popular 1-Story Home Plans offers readers 400 plans of the best-selling and stylish home designs available. From convenient ranch homes to traditional cottages, this book offers a wide variety of home styles and sizes to meet the budget of most readers. In addition to the designs, the book offers practical tips and advice to create the home of one's dreams.


Book Description
Providing a unique combination of full-color photography and illustrations, Most-Popular 1-Story Home Plans offers readers 525 plans of the best-selling and stylish home designs available. From convenient ranch homes to traditional cottages, this book offers a wide variety of home styles and sizes to meet the budget of most readers. In addition to the designs, the book offers practical tips and advice to create the home of one's dreams.




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Review of Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement (Hardcover)

This is a good book, but not very detailed. However, no one book can cover all the intricacies of home improvement and construction. So it's best to try to look at the book you're thinking of buying before you purchase it. Try a bookstore or library or home improvement store, if possible. I have purchased the following books that are available at Amazon and found them to be very helpful to me:

Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement (Ultimate Guide);

Do It Yourself Home Improvement: Step by Step Guide to Home Improvement;

New Complete Guide to Home Repair & Improvement (Better Homes & Gardens);

Encyclopedia of Home Maintenance & Repair (Wm. P. Spence) - This is a black & white book, but has very good explanations, especially of electrical.

Popular Mechanics When Duct Tape Just Isn't Enough: Quick Fixes for Everyday Disasters (Popular Mechanics) - This is kind of a "Hints from Heloise" for the home fix'r up'r.


Product Description
Creative Homeowner's Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement is the largest, most comprehensive home-improvement book on the market-608 pages packed with over 3,300 photos and illustrations. This clearly written, sensible how-to book covers the home top to bottom, inside and out. The reader will find out about common repairs step-by-step, including wiring and electricity, plumbing, floors and stairs, walls and ceilings, basements and attics, improvements top to bottom, yards and gardens, decks and porches, exterior structures, masonry, framing and carpentry, roofing and siding, and much more. There is information about tools, materials, and basic skills, and over 300 step-by-step projects with full-color how-to photo sequences. The book also includes full-color illustrations that peel away the mysteries of remodeling and repair work, as well as informative charts and maps. In addition, there is a comprehensive index, a glossary of terms, and a 12-page, chapter-by-chapter resource guide, offering consumer information on products and services shown in the books.




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Review of Gardening for All Seasons (Paperback)

I was looking for a creative gardening book on flowers.And this one explains the basics on how to bloom and cultivate the ideal flower garden.It has a worth of profiles on some 165 plants and flowers.Plus 780 color photos and illustrations,on the plants and garden lay-outs.How best to care for your annuals and perennials,is firstly explained.The bulk of the book,four chapters on caring for plants through the four seasons.The last section covers over herbal gardens,ground covers,trees and shrubs.This gardening book has many good suggestions,eventhough some are basic,that's still sound advise for all serious gardeners.

Product Description
Gardening for All Seasons provides both the basic information necessary to create and maintain successful gardens and houseplants and guidance on growing and maintaining flowers during all the seasons of the year.

Book Description
Gardening for All Seasons shows both the novice and the experienced gardenerhow to design, grow, and maintain beautiful gardens throughout the year. The basics are all here, including garden design, color selection, working the soil, and growing houseplants. But Gardening for all Seasons also shows gardeners how to put their gardens in tune with the seasons of the year. For each season, readers will find information on selecting the appropriate flowers for their gardens and interior arrangements, an encyclopedia of plants, and a list of activities that they should tend to during that season.The information is geared toward the different climate zones of the country, making the book a valuable resource no matter where a reader lives.

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Review of The New Ultimate Book of Home Plans: Lowe's Branded (Paperback)

This is the best house plan book I've found.We've looked at several and found that most books must share the same plan database.This book actually has plans that we didn't find in other books, and the fact that there is a color photo or illustration for each one makes it that much better.We haven't ordered a plan yet, so I'm not sure of the quality of the blueprints or materials list, but if they're as good as the book, I'd be happy!

Product Description
Creative Homeowner's lead title in its tremendously successful, ground-breaking home plan series, The Ultimate Book of Home Plans offers readers 728 of the best-selling designs from leading architects and designers. Over 550 gorgeous, full-color photographs allow readers to experience homes actually built from the designs, plus some interiors. Virtually every home style is offered, including farmhouses, country cottages, contemporaries, luxury estates, vacation retreats, and regional specialties. In addition to these designs, The Ultimate Book of Home Plans offers practical tips and advice on everything from selecting a site and hiring a contractor to adding such finishing touches as trimwork and landscaping.


Book Description
Creative Homeowner's lead title in its tremendously successful, ground-breaking home plan series, The Ultimate Book of Home Plans offers readers 730 of the best-selling designs from leading architects and designers.We added 130 additional home designs to this revised edition. Over 475 gorgeous, full-color photographs allow readers to experience homes actually built from the designs, plus some interiors. Virtually every home style is offered, including farmhouses, country cottages, contemporaries, luxury estates, vacation retreats, and regional specialties. In addition to these designs, The Ultimate Book of Home Plans offers practical tips and advice on everything from selecting a site and hiring a contractor to adding such finishing touches as trimwork and landscaping.




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