Home Improvement 1-2-3 Hardcover – Unabridged, 1 February 2003

This book would make an AWESOME housewarming gift. I bought this book after purchasing my first house. It's essentially a textbook of all the basics of owning a home. I am continuously referencing it when I go to take on a new renovation project. It has quality, accurate information (although some might be a little outdated), but a quick online check will tell you if things are still done that way. It has so many awesome sections including, Plumbing, Flooring, Electrical, Exterior Home and lots more! Everyone who buys their first home should be supplied with this book.

GREAT READ.

There are few books I keep on hand because I don't like clutter. Heck, I don't think I even saved my highschool yearbooks. I have some fitness reference books, a big supply of cookbooks, and a few others...this is among my handful of others. Its worth keeping.I am a master of "do-it-yourself" but not out of knowledge. I always tackle stuff I have no clue how to do but I watched my dad fix EVERYTHING growing up rather than wait and pay hundreds in time and money for a repair person or a builder so I have this gene in me that I feel like I need to try to do it myself. And, with good instructions, that's easy.But that is what's important here...It's all about the instructions. Like the free classes at Home Depot, this is made for those who don't know the name of tools or how to go about starting something--yet those who do will learn equally as well. In other words, every step is illustrated with full-color photos and text so whether you are a visual learner or can just read how to do it and go...you learn both ways. More importantly, if you are someone who isn't sure what the heck they are talking about when reading technical how-to instructions, this is your guide.You have everything from a pain sheen comparison (eggshell is my personal favorite. Thankfully they tell you that glossy should only be used for utility room or playroom walls or, mide I add trim. Shine on regular walls is not pretty plus it shows every imperfection. They help you choose colors via the color wheel , removing wallpaper, staining trim, painting interior brick, stippling, ragging etc etc etc on the paintingThere is also a how-to section on plumbing and fixing plumbing, even how to solder copper pipes or fix leaking pipes. You'll learn how to unclog your own sink (I unclogged my dishwasher this morning with this instruction. No seriously!) or toilet or bathtub, you'll learn how to replace sink parts and toilet parts, and tub parts...anything plumbing...even installing new bathtubs, water heaters, sinks, etc.Electrical...they make it not nearly as scary as you'd think. I installed new lighting and a new dinner switch is going up this week. They do tell you how to do it safely. In fact, you can totally redo your kitchen or bathroom lighting easily with these instructions, photos and easy diagrams. Trust me if I can, you can!Walls and celings is the next chapter and it not only tells you what to expect if you take down a WHOLE ceiling, but how to do it. You can also easily repair drywall (did that too after removing a rail from one small area of my stairs that was unsightly around a curve), you can install ceiling tile, hang a suspended ceiling, frame a wall, attach a new wall to an existing one, install chair and picture rails etc.Next chapter is floors...repairing concrete fllors, leveling uneven floors, removing all types fo flooring, laying all types of flooring, and refinishing themDoors is next...yes, everything about doors.Then windows. Yep, extensive. All kinds.The next chapter is cabinets, countertops, shelving and storage. What's nice about this is you can get cabinets on Craigslist that someone tears out of an old house and install them in your garage perfectly and paint em for a deluxe garage with loads of organized space. Dirt cheap. Or redo your whole kitchen or bath...but I have a new house so I tend to think more what I can ADD rather than take away. You'll also learn how to redo countertops, add a closet, make bookshelves, etc.Next chapter is insulation and weatherproofing. Pays for itself. Just weatherproofing my outlets changed this house in the winter and this is supposed to be an energy efficient house--but cold air came in and it no longer does. But this doesn't only cover small things like that...it's everything you can think of to make your home more energy efficient. And there is lots of info in this chapter.Then you learn how to maintain your exterior...gutters, joints,siding,stucco repairs, fascia, soffits, roofing, underlayment, chimney, pipes, vents.There is a big chapter on heating, ventilation, and airconditioning...more than you ever could think of including heat pumps and outdoor repairs. And before you learn how to fix it you learn how it works...very helpful.Why my book has a chapter then titled "Meeting Canadian Code" I cannot tell you but apparently when I bought in on Amazon I bought the Canadian version. I was not told this. The U.S. codes would have been WAY more helpful but I figure they can't be too far off. Plus it was cheaper on here than at Home Depot at the time I bought mine.The next chapter is a tool glossary. With photos of each tool. I have used this A LOT A LOT!! No mystery in any repair guide anywhere anymore...it shows hundreds of tools.Negatives: They have the same title on several books. Like a version 1, a version 2 (this one) and I just saw a version 3. I mean I guess that makes sense as things get updated...but it's also confusing in a way as you don't know what's outdated in your own book. Before you buy this one, look for the latest version. I'm guessing they added more info or changed something.Cpnclusion: It's almost as though you could build a whole house from the ground up with this. Very handy. Especially to redo a house or let the book pay for itself when you need a repair. Or an addition.

It's a great book/tool for any homestead

A book that help you to fix by yourself with few tool the most common issues at your home. That's mean savings.