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Renovation: Completely Revised and Updated
 
 
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Renovation: Completely Revised and Updated [Hardcover]

Michael Litchfield (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)

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Renovation: Completely Revised and Updated + Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes + What Your Contractor Can't Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These are hefty works from two veteran home remodeling/renovation writers. Renovation: A Complete Guide was first published in 1982 ( LJ 10/15/82), about the same time Litchfield started Fine Homebuilding magazine. The first edition was comprehensive, clearly written, and soon became a standard. The differences in this volume are matters of refinement rather than large-scale revamping. Some topics (roofing, the case histories, ceramic tiling, and security) have been noticeably expanded, but others (assessment and planning, tools, demolition, structural carpentry, plumbing and wiring, and finish work) have been only modestly revised. This remains one of the essential guides to renovation; any library lacking the earlier edition (or having a well-worn copy) will want it. Wing has written several how-to manuals, mostly on heating and energy conservation. While covering some of the same ground (and more) as Litchfield, Wing approaches the topic quite differently. Wing reverses the organizing principle of most how-to books by subordinating the explanatory text to the graphic information displayed in diagrams, line drawings, charts, and graphs. This works remarkably well, not only as a visual reference but even as a comprehensive building manual that includes--in equal measure--materials, techniques, and design specifications. Everything from the commonplace (lumber specifications, nailing schedules, interest tables, and wiring diagrams) to the more esoteric (soil classification tables, snow load maps, steel beam specifications, and Spanish tile roofing methods) is addressed. This outstanding compilation of home construction and remodeling information is highly recommended for all libraries serving amateur or professional builders.
- Bill Demo, Tompkins Cortland Community Coll., Dryden, N.Y.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

" The most comprehensive single volume on home renovation ever."
--"Popular Science
"
" This is, hands down, the very BEST home renovation book I've ever read. And as former editor of This Old House Magazine (2001 to 2004) I've seen em all. Author Mike Litchfield (founding editor of Fine Homebuilding magazine) has written about 7 books on home renovation and this third edition of " Renovation" (completely updated from earlier versions) has got to be his masterwork. Whether you're a homeowner who can't bang a nail or a professional tradesman, you'll learn a lot from this book. " Renovation" covers the entire home renovation process, from inspecting an old house before you buy it to the hundreds of steps and decisions you'll encounter in the renovation process. Litchfield clearly knows what he's talking about. He writes in a down-to-earth conversational style that's comprehensive, practical and easy to understand. He also has a sharp wit and a dry sense of humor that makes this book, not only useful, but great fun to read. Excellent drawings and photos show you just the information you need, and the book is liberally sprinkled with pro-tips and insights that will save you time, money and heartache-guaranteed. Case histories of real renovation jobs with first-hand accounts of what worked and what didn't give you the benefit of other people's experience. Renovating an old house is a big, messy, expensive, emotional process, but one of the most satisfying projects you can tackle in life. If you're even thinking about taking the plunge, there's no better roadmap to follow than Mike Litchfield's book." --This Old House
" A classic inthe first edition, a masterpiece in the second, this work is the last word in renovation-- Litchfield is cited again and again by other authors in the field, and rightly so-- and the new edition will serve to introduce a new crop of renovators to the art....If you are renovating a house or only thinking of it, this is the place to start."
--"Library Journal"
" Simply the best book we've seen on the subject." --"Toronto Sun"

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 544 pages
  • Publisher: Taunton Press; 3 Rev Upd edition (September 6, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1561585882
  • ISBN-13: 978-1561585885
  • Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #36,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #19 in  Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Remodeling & Renovation

More About the Author

Michael W. Litchfield
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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Renovation: Completely Revised and Updated
75% buy the item featured on this page:
Renovation: Completely Revised and Updated 4.6 out of 5 stars (33)
$26.37
What Your Contractor Can't Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating
12% buy
What Your Contractor Can't Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating 4.8 out of 5 stars (33)
$14.36
Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes
6% buy
Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes 4.9 out of 5 stars (29)
$21.12
The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling, 3rd Edition
3% buy
The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling, 3rd Edition 4.7 out of 5 stars (10)
$19.77

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Customer Reviews

33 Reviews
5 star:
 (27)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (33 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best single-source guide for your home, July 29, 1999
By A Customer
I whole heartedly agree with other posters that if you buy only one do-it-yourself style book for your home, this is the one. Even if you plan on hiring a contractor to do the work, this book will help you clearly understand the tasks at hand. If you ever wondered what lies behind the walls of your home, here's your own inexpensive x-ray machine! The figures & photos are excellent and are a great compliment to the writing.

I showed my copy of this book to someone at work and they went to the book store the next day to buy their own copy. Yes, it's that impressive. Maybe a professional contractor would argue against my point, but for the average person, it's fantastic.

Once you read it, you'll go back to it again and again. In my opinion, it's well worth the cost.

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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, for learning or for reference, January 19, 2006
This review is from: Renovation: Completely Revised and Updated (Hardcover)
I rehab 100 year old houses for a living. I do it all from elctrical to plumbing, heating systems, etc. Since I am a jack of all trades, I am a master of none, and when I need to do something for the first time, I reach for this book. Jacking up a foundation? Custom stair stringers? Learned it here.

I also keep it on the job site as a reference. How high should the showerhead be? Where should the kitchen supply lines and drain be? It is all here. Would by another copy immediately when this one gets lost or damaged (which it will).
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34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This book takes the mystery out of renovation, January 20, 2002
By A Customer
I am a first-time female homeowner of a pre-war apartment. It is amazing what you can do after reading this book. Most people I know find doing-it-yourself an intimidating process and wouldn't conceive of undertaking the simplest of jobs themselves. They just wouldn't know where to begin. "Renovation" has taken me from life-long yuppie renter to where my power drill is now my best friend.

Litchfield does a great job of guiding you through each aspect of home renovation. The explanations are well-written and clear, the illustrations are extremely helpful, so while it does not seem dumbed-down in any way, the first-time DIYer will find it very useful. Now when I go to Home Depot, I can ask intelligent questions about what I need to buy.

It's going to become a regular housewarming gift for my friends.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
It arrived more quickly than expected, and looking new. It is a clearly written text, giving examples, and outlining all needed to accomplish tasks.
Published 9 days ago by J. B. Mcgarey

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be called "The Encyclopedia of Doing It Right"!
Wow! What a terrifically useful book! The book is set out logically and has both a comprehensive index and a useful table of contents. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Craig J. Brain

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book.
Renovations is a great book for the advanced do-it-your selfer. I've got a whole library of the do-it-yourself genre but this was one of the best i've found. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Bill

5.0 out of 5 stars Renovation 3
Great!Great!Great! Did I mention this is a great book! For starters this book is like a Textbook. Hardbound, great chapters, easy to read. Read more
Published 12 months ago by T. StGeorge

5.0 out of 5 stars Renovation 3
I reviewed a lot of home improvement books and finally decided on this one. I already own a number of similar volumes, but this one is by far the best. Read more
Published 13 months ago by R. zeff

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great
I learned alot from this book in preperation for the major remodeling job I have just started on. This helped me avoid many houses and gave me great ideas on how to fix many... Read more
Published 15 months ago by David E. Cofer

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference but missing a lot of the latest technology info
I think this is a good book for reference. We are doing a major home renovation on the inside and out. Read more
Published 16 months ago by S. Waye

5.0 out of 5 stars Renovation 3 is almost worth its weight in gold
Even though many of us who are in the trades know a lot, we don't do everythig all the time, maybe have never even done a particular job. This is where Renovation 3 comes in. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Gene Marsh

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing reference work!
Renovation: Completely Revised and Updated As a NEW owner of an OLD house, this is an awesome book. Read more
Published 19 months ago by B. Mccormick

1.0 out of 5 stars Look what I did ...
I bought this hoping there would be some good pointers on HOW TO but instead I got a "look what I did " book. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Clyde L. Decker

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