A Consumer's Guide to Home Improvement, Renovation, and Repair

"An invaluable guide for contractors, consumers, and tradespeople. There's an enormous supply of sound advice, proven renovation ideas and handy insights."—Bill Ellingsworth Senior Staff Vice President National Association of Home Builders

"The remodeling industry in this country is thriving, and this book is chock full of clear explanations of how those remodeling methods and materials work."—Forrest Wilson, Ph.D. Senior Editor, Architecture

Completely updated to reflect changes in the cost of materials and labor, this is the book that will save you money, worry, and headaches, whether you're reshingling a roof, remodeling your kitchen, rewiring the basement, or adding a new wing to your house. Whether you do the job yourself, hire tradespeople, or work with a contractor, this comprehensive guide enables you to compare and select the smartest solution for virtually any home improvement or repair project. You'll learn how to:

• Evaluate the level of skill needed to complete the project
• Assess the relative cost, durability, and ease of use of a wide variety of building materials
• Compare costs of over 300 options with and without a contractor
• Manage repair people and contractors like an expert

Robert M. Santucci is a former developer of nonprofit housing projects who now works as a consultant for housing rehabilitation programs. Brooke C. Stoddard is a former editor of Time-Life Books Home Improvement Series. Peter Werwath, a former builder and director of a municipal housing rehabilitation program, is a senior program director at The Enterprise Foundation.

James W. Rouse, a driving force in inner-city developments such as Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Baltimore's Harborplace, established The Enterprise Foundation to find new ways of reducing costs of building, renovating, and financing housing in distressed inner cities. This book capsules the experience of the large community of nonprofit groups, contractors, and rehabbers working with The Enterprise Foundation.