Customer Reviews

Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement (Ultimate Guide To... (Creative Homeowner))

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

"The Ultimate Guide to Home Improvement", is an outstanding general reference, and will imbue any novice or intermediately skilled DIYer with a general understanding of, how and why, virtually any home repair or home improvement project is to be executed.

My wife surprised me with this book for Christmas. I already own the "Home Depot: 1-2-3 Home Improvement" book, which I like. However, the Ultimate Guide is much better and covers a wider range of topics from: Home Emergencies, Wiring, Dry Wall, to Decks and Patios.

I disagree with the other reviewers for knocking this book for being too general. It is an excellent general reference, and of course, does not cover every topic in complete detail. Readers needing or wanting more detail on a particular topic will be best served by procuring an additional book covering the specifics of the project they are undertaking, i.e. for details on plumbing projects, get a book that deals specifically with plumbing.

I highly recommend this book, it makes a great gift and a fine addition to any beginning or moderately experienced Do It Yourself weekend warrior's library.


PROS:
1. Covers the whys, and not just the how to.

2. Up to date and fully illustrated, covering the complete gamut of home improvement and repair topics.

4. Many excellent tips and tricks, e.g. 'To kill bacteria buildup in and under the toilet bowel rim, pour a bleach solution directly into the toilet tank overflow tube.'

5. In addition to the standard TOC, it also has a Table of Projects so you can quickly look things up by project i.e. Insulation: Insulating Existing Walls.

6. Includes a Glossary and List of Resources & Suppliers for the various projects


CONS:
1. Only general topic coverage, no one topic is fully covered in depth

1. A some what weak index

2. Virtually no mention of US Building codes, though oddly there is a section devoted specifically to Canadian Building Codes, go figure.

Take a geniune interest in home improvement, add a basic understanding of projects and then this book - the result is many more finished projects around the house.

Easy to understand, thorough, and great marriage of text and photo. Since purchasing, my husband and I have plumbed in a new kitchen and laundry room, replaced our knob-and-tube wiring with updated wiring and numerous other improvements to our 120-year-old house.

Well worth having. The Creative Homeowner editors did a great job compiling the contents of this book, complete with step-by-step instructions on most every project through the intermediate skill level. In other words, for every room in the house, this book will get you through the standard remodeling and repair projects with flying colors. They even point to outside and online resources for further reference and details if needed. The same company also publishes another great book to have, the Black & Decker Complete Home Improvement: with 300 Projects and 2,000 Photos (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide). Between the two, you're stocked, locked, and ready to work. They also make great gifts.

After checking out this book at a local chain bookstore, I was convinced that this is a perfect basic home repair book for a first time homeowner. A vast range of topics are covered, there are many full color pictures for explanation, and the layout is easily read. When I sent this to my brother as a housewarming gift he was very excited and told me it was exactly what he needed! The fact that I didn't pay full cover price and got free shipping (this is a heavy book) was icing on the cake. A great deal!

Great book. Very handy, indeed. It's very well organized and a great price. It just might save your life one day. Lots of info.

Just as described. Well detailed. Easy to read. Just be beneficial for novice and intermediate DIY. Recommend it for all homeowners.

This is a useful resource book for do-it-yourself, although as with any DIY, you may still run into issues and will need to run to your nearest home improvement store to get guidance.

I've had this book for about 6 months and have used it a dozen times to help with projects around the house. Very informative with easy to follow directions.

This is a well layed out and well detailed guide book. However, there could be more thoroughness in some areas. Overall, great resource.