Major home remodeling isn’t for the faint of heart; there is huge potential for design problems, cost overruns, or just unsatisfactory workmanship. Here, a professional construction manager who masterminded the redesign at New York’s famed Avery Fisher Hall as well as a massive institute-wide renovation of St. Luke’s Hospital, offers an indispensable guide for homeowners who need to manage a large-scale renovation. There’s advice on how to articulate your thoughts clearly to designers, architects, and contractors; tips on negotiating contracts; suggestions for protecting yourself from legal and financial threats; and help understanding warranty claims. Each step--from initial planning through the completed project--is covered in layman’s terms, and sample contracts, floor plans, cost estimating worksheets and other forms are provided.

The first detailed no-nonsense handbook to planning, designing, and managing any home remodeling project. In 1989, homeowners spent over $100 billion on home remodeling alone. Yet overseeing these projects is complicated and time-consuming. This workbook allows readers to take charge of any remodeling project: it explains how to develop a budget, keep track of expenses, check community building regulations, and much more.

Old homes come with a character unmatched by recently built houses on the market The craftsmanship is often more distinct, the architectural elements more refined, the wood floors and trims more detailed, and the structure more solid and settled. A certain amount of renovation must be done to the older homes, and remodelling your home can make it come alive, fix its flaws, enhance its interior, and even make it more eco-friendly. However, renovating can be time consuming, expensive, and nerve-racking, leaving the homeowner in a dust whirl-wind with everything that needs to be done. This guide helps you to overcome these challenges bringing you home-owner bliss. To begin, you will learn how to estimate and stick to your renovation budget, as well as some key cost-cutting techniques to help you come in under budget. You will learn what building codes to follow before your begin your project, as well as the projects you can do on your own and what you might need professional assistance on. This book takes you through the complete remodelling process from the bottom up, beginning with the foundation. The book also presents ideas for renovating your family room, bedrooms, attic, basement, kitchen, and bathroom, as well as a variety of floor plans to follow if you need some help getting started. You will learn how to select and install cabinets and counter tops, as well as how to fully update sinks, taps, appliances, baths, showers and toilets. You will also learn how to overcome the challenges associated with water, electricity, asbestos, tanks and wells, and cesspools. There are step-by-step instructions for some of the most common projects, including installing drywall, upgrading windows and doors, and installing flooring. There is a section on exterior renovations, which contains information on skylights, garage doors, sunrooms, decks, and pools. Whether you are attempting your first project or are a seasoned professional, this is an indispensable companion for any homeowner with a project or two in mind.

· Ultimate DIY resource shows readers everything they need to know about plumbing and electrical repairs, heating and cooling, roofing and siding, remodeling, and so much more · Offers plenty of direct DIY wisdom on how to make the most of a home · Includes more than 2,300 how-to photos and 800 drawings · New edition of this best-selling home improvement manual includes recent code updates and changes, plus information on USB outlets, AFCI/GFCI breakers, and tankless water heaters

Building or remodeling a home can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it can also be a stressful and daunting challenge. Organized to cover all the major phases of construction and renovation, this book is complete with over one hundred actual construction and renovation photographs, checklists, financing options, builder insights, industry secrets, design ideas, and other valuable information to help homeowners save a fortune while completing their project on time, within budget, and with less stress. Whether building a new home or renovating an old home, with this book you will learn: how to avoid builder markups; how to control costs and avoid costly setbacks; how to finance your project; how to find and hire contractors; how to obtain estimates for materials and labor; how to work with an architect; how to apply for permits and work with inspectors; learn the practical uses and installation methods of many home improvement products; and most importantly, you will learn how to save money without sacrificing quality. Read what the experts have said: "A valuable guide to contracting, building, and renovating, homeowners will surely benefit from Joe Oswald's knowledge and experience." Joe Carroll, Architect. "Written from the perspective of a homeowner, Joe Oswald shares his knowledge and attention to detail in a straightforward and user-friendly style." Alan Boerner, Electrical Contractor. About the author: Joe Oswald was a licensed real estate agent for over twenty years, worked as a new home consultant for a residential builder, and completed a general contracting class before tackling his own project of restoring and building a three-level addition onto his 1929 Spanish Revival home in Chicago. This book details his experience and knowledge and explains how he saved tens of thousands of dollars off the estimates he received from general contractors. Joe also has master's degrees in history and educational administration. His other books include a history of Chicago's Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood, published by Arcadia Publishing as part of their Images of America series, and a vocabulary improvement book. Please Note: The Kindle version of this book contains full color images of all the photographs in this book as well as active hyperlinks to videos and articles for further reading from the bibliography.

THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUCCESS GUIDE 2ND EDITION: Everything You Need To Know About Construction Contracts, Estimating, Planning And Scheduling, Skills To Manage Trades And Home Renovations You're about to discover how to the re-emergence of the real estate market sparked renewed optimism in construction. Across different states in the country, residential construction jobs are being undertaken in order to satisfy the demands in housing. Since residential construction projects are still a business (except when you want to build your own home), the idea is to build enough living spaces and to offer them to prospective clients or leasers at an affordable price. Of course the success of such a goal still lies on income and the general economic outlook, but one thing is for certain: now that the housing crisis is over, more people will look forward getting a place to call their home.

Updated estimates for popular projects. With new sections on home offices, in-law apartments and remodeling for disabled residents. Includes: -- Attic & Basement Conversions -- Kitchen and Bath Remodeling -- Fireplaces -- Storage -- Stairs, New Floors -- Walls & Ceilings