Customer Reviews

Renovating and Restyling Older Homes: The Professional's Guide to Maximum Value Remodeling

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I was disappointed when I received this book to find that much of it is devoted specifically to Victorian and Craftsman homes and architecture. While these styles are mentioned in the book description, you should realize before you buy that this book really is best if you own one of these two styles of homes...otherwise 150 of the 400 or so pages don't really apply. Sure, some of the general information is universal but I was looking for something particular to older homes in general and something about my style of home. My husband and I are experienced do-it-yourselfers of Cape Cod-style homes and we have more Capes and Colonials in our neck of the woods than Victorian and Craftsman homes and found little for us in the second half of this book. However, it is certainly a fine book for anyone who owns a style emphasized between its covers. The author applies his experience and expertise on specific styles to provide nice detail for the right homeowners and renovators.

For all who dream of fixing up their homes or buying older homes and repairing them, this is the book. It contains detailed information on every part of a house from roof to basement. It tells you what to look for in all parts of vintage houses and how to estimate the work involved in rehabs. The information is valid for newer houses also because it covers basics such as heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical, porches, roofs, attics, kitchens, bathrooms, floors, walls, ceilings, windows, architectural styles. It describes inspection, repairing, restoring, landscaping, and additions. This book is comprehensive, objective, detailed and educational.

Renovating & Restyling Older Homes: The Professional's Guide To Maximum Value Remodeling by home remodeling and renovation expert Lawrence Dworin is a thorough, professional, quality guide written specifically to address the difficulties of restoring the beauty and practical function of homes built before 1930. Dworin effectively covers the technique of maximum value remodeling; reveals the substantial potential available for renovators in the older home market; and how to raise profit margins while giving customers their money's worth in restoration/renovation services. With an equal-handed approach to cost sensibility, top quality, and preserving history, Renovating & Restyling Older Homes is a superbly presented primer for anyone interested in upgrading property and living fixtures that were built before modern standards of convenience.

I laughed my head off reading this book, from beginning to end! I can almost see & hear Mr. Dworin, sitting on the front porch of his latest project, a mischevious glint in his eyes, answering each of my stupid questions with a real-life-experience story. His wry humor, and (obviously) extensive experience with "worst-case" structural problems and mid-project surprizes convinced me that EVEN I can do a lot of the work my old house needs myself. He's taken the scary part out of the equation.

Thanks Larry...by the way, can I call you for help when I grossly over-estimate my own ability? <Giggle>

I have been fixing up older homes for many years and this is the worst book I have ever read on the subject. This author's opinions are a detriment to all older homes. He has a section devoted to how to hang a bunch of Victorian stuff on a non-Victorian house and states that any bathroom built before 1930 has no redeeming values and should be gutted. Furthermore, what he states as facts are totally wrong. For example, he says that the Craftsman period began in 1915. (Gus Stickley went out of business in 1916.) For the respect of all older homes I strongly recomend that you do not buy this book.

I bought the book almost 2 years ago when I embarked on my farmhouse renovation. I confess, at the time the book was over my head. Thank goodness for an amazing contractor...here I am 2 years later, and I decided to read the book cover to cover. Wow...everything the book covered was done to my house and now, I actually understand it all! It's 1 thing to upgrade from 100 amp to 200 but it's another to understand why! I've learned alot in the past 2 years and whatever I didn't understand the book explained!