5 comments about The Official Rent-A-Husband Guide to a Safe, Problem-Free Home: Quick, Easy, and Effective Solutions for Do-It-Yourselfer Improvements and Repairs.

1. This book was recommended to me after numerous attempts to become "mistress of my domain" failed. It is so well done I plan to pass the word along to all of my home challenged friends. Fantastic in every way,particularly in the extraordinary way in which it is written.



2. Mr.Warren and Ms. Craig have accomplished something no one else ever has in this really wonderful publication. Many thanks to a couple in perfect harmony!



3. The coupling of Mr. Warren and Ms. Craig is casting genius! Never before has the usual dry home repair industry had such a sharp, sophisticated, and witty voice. This completely charming and easy-to-understand book has, undoubtedly drawn numerous women, such as myself, to an area which until now was perceived as forbidden. Three cheers!



4. I was looking for a book that tells you how to prevent bad things from happening- a recommended schedule of maintenance for my home. This book tells you how to handle problems after they have happened. I get the impression that they want you to buy the book, figure out that you have no idea how to fix your problem, then look to see if there's a "Rent-a-Husband" franchise in your city.



5. Truly helpful and a joyous reading experience.

No comments about Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair: with 350 Projects and 2000 Photos (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide).

No comments about Small AC Generator Service Manual, Volume 2: Covers complete maintenance and repair information for most portable generator models.

No comments about Ultimate Guide to Floors, Walls & Ceilings: Build, Remodel, Repair (Ultimate Guide).

4 comments about Dare to Repair Plumbing (Collins Gem) (Collins Gem).

1. This is my first review ever, and I am only writing it because I feel compelled to warn others to avoid making the mistake I made of buying this book (actually two copies). This book is a miniature. It is about 3x4 inches. The print is so small that I might actually need reading glasses, which I do not wear, to read it. The text runs right into the binding of the book, so it would be difficult to read unless you wanted to break the binding of the book. All of the chapters of this book, except for four of the them, are contained in the 'mother' book "Dare to Repair: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home." This book is not worth $7.95, but should have been offered free with the other book. I recommend that you buy "Dare to Repair: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home", but steer clear of this one. I have no idea what the authors were thinking when they put this one together, but it was a major disappointment and is on its way back to Amazon.



2. It is physically a very small book. OK for what it covers.



3. The presentation has sufficient detail on the mechanics of repairing
   simple to intermediate-level breakages for cars. The presentation
   includes:
   - a circuit map depicting how to replace fuses
   - fuel injector gasket leak repairs
   - a cracked radiator hose
   - the heater core
   
   The acquisition would be helpful for anyone seeking to learn about
   repairing cars either in their spare time or for practical application
   on the road.



4. This is my first review as well as my first book from this series. I had put all three of the Dare to Repair books on my "wish list" this Christmas and was really shocked at the size and content of this book. Its small enough to slip into a pocket but I dont understand the author's point of creating a miniturized book when the other two books are typical size. I noticed that the repairs are EXTREMELY basic and many of the illustrations are comprised of, what appear to me, as outdated hardwear, at least for many of the home builders here in Texas. Being a visual learner I depend on accurate illustrations and a great deal of them. I was hoping it would detail how to actually replace a toilet but did not find that project listed. I did find the section on "Appliances" to be quite helpful as was the description of "replacing sealant around a bathtub." I do not consider myself a strong handywoman but I even knew some of the items listed in this book just from figuring it out on my own. Depending on your level and your needs for plumbing education, you may want to consider a different style of book.

5 comments about Remodel or Move?: Make the Right Decision.

1. This has been one of the most helpful sources of information for my husband and I to decide about our housing situation. The charts and sugesstions for dealing with all possiblies really was an extraordinary insite into many challeges that face such a decision.
   
   Pat Fritschen
   Arkansas



2. If you are on the fence and not sure if it makes more sense to remodel or to move this book is the perfect resource. It is full of useful information on making a move or on how to go about a remodel. Not only has it helped with the decision but it has given me the tools I need to get started on my remodel.



3. This book is a must have if you are trying to decide whether to move or make changes to your existing home. It is especially nice because it is written in an easy-to-read manner... so someone like me who knows nothing about remodeling can actually understand the information, thus helping with this big decision.



4. I bought the book late into my remodel, and when I used the Remodel or Move calculator, it came so close to the actual costs of the remodel, it was amazing to me. I noticed that The Bay Area Independent Publishers Association named Remodel or Move, Make the Right Decision, as the best real estate/home improvement book. The book has been praised by Better Homes & Gardens and the New York Post, and I can see why. It contains strategies and tactics designed to help homeowners work through the decision process. There is a combination of unbiased reference materials and no-nonsense advice, based on the author's extensive remodeling experience and by his consultation with other real estate and construction industry experts. I highly recommend it if you're trying to decide whether to remodel or move. Remodeling turned out to be the right decision for me, and the book helped me justify the costs involved.



5. Has your home stopped working for you? Usually homeowners think that means moving time - but remodeling is also an option, and REMODEL OR MOVE? MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION offers one of the few remodel books to consider the pros and cons of different projects. Chapters explore when to make changes and when to consider selling, offering tips on how to avoid costly options, how to lower costs, and how to make a decision. From gut feelings to real experiences, REMODEL OR MOVE is the first step a homeowner should make in the decision process.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

2 comments about 2007 National Repair & Remodeling Estimator (National Repair and Remodeling Estimator).

1. This book is essential for the person remodeling a house. It provides accurate cost estimates for everything! The CD helps to quickly find what you are looking for. Occassionally, you will be able to find cheaper labor, but the other estimates are very accurate. This book will help you stay on budget.



2. This book is a valuable resource for bidding in the field when you need a fast number. I have used National Estimator for years and have been very pleased with it. The prices are a little high even when I use the multiplier for my area. There is no "how to" info in these books. I know a lot of people that have bought these looking for instructions. This is nothing but estimating hours and materials for large and small jobs. I would definately recommend these books to contractors as well as homeowners. More than once I've had a client come into my office carrying a National Estimator.

5 comments about How to Fix Damn Near Everything.

1. professional. However, the biggest pitfall of this book is it's dated. At best, I think the book is useful for when you're (a) desperate or (b) about to throw a broken thing away. For example, if your toaster oven breaks, odds are this will provide enough general information to convince you it's OK to take it apart and fish around, then call the manufacturer (e.g., Black & Decker is great about this) and order replacement parts.

   On the other hand, as many appliances are solid-state (e.g., no tubes) AND individual parts are difficult to procure if the manufacturer doesn't support this. [In 1977, when the book was published, you could go to your local Radio Shack and buy a 100 ohm 1/4 watt resistor. It's increasingly difficult to find such things as the business models have changed to the more lucrative cell phones.)

   This is a useful book if you want a general idea of how common things work and aren't afraid to use a screwdriver. It's not going to be as helpful as it was 20 years ago, however.




2. If you're the type who likes to keep old things (including houses) until they faqll apart, this book is great. It shows with diagrams how to fix everything from old walls to old toasters. It's been a bible in our family and I gave it to my sons when they moved out.



3. This book is a big disappointment. Pages and pages and pages of text. Precious few photos or illustraions. No "Step 1 illustration, Step 2 illustration, Step 3 illustration..." I ordered three of this book for my sons-in-laws. I sent them all back and got the Reader's Digest "Fix it Yourself" instead. More expensive but A) updated recently, and b) profusly illustrated. Very simple to follow. Don't waste your time or money on this wordy loser.



4. Explains the logic of troubleshooting and repair with 300 illustrations. Helps you talk to hardware store clerks and avoid wasting money on unnecessary items by buying the proper equipment.



5. Mr Peterson did an outstanding job by writing a book that offers the reader a very good overview as to how things work, and more importantly, how to fix things around the home when they go bad.

   No book is perfect, however, and the one flaw with this one is the fact that the apparent lack of illustrations may scare away those already intimidated by the workings of the hardware around their homes. But fear not because the author has gone into excellent written details regarding the fixing of all those troublesome gadgets. Before long, you will realize that the author has purposefully left out the illustrations to allow the reader to think critically and solve the problem in the most effective manner, unique to the situation at hand.

   When it comes down to the nitty-gritty of the fixings around the house, your best friend will be your troubleshooting skills. That is, the five logical steps of troubleshooting *any* hardware such as a faulty dryer to a stubborn computer goes as follows:

   1.Source of Power
   2.Power Controls
   3.Power Unit
   4.Power Train
   5.Use of Power

   All the power to you!

5 comments about The Furniture Guys Book.

1. The book is very much like the TV show with jokes and easy to read instructions. I only gave it four stars because I would have liked more pictures. Each project has one color picture in a center section. There are also TINY thumbnail photos in the instruction section showing you how to do something. I wanted a magnifying glass. The good thing was the instructions were well written enough that you didn't always need the pictures.



2. Being a huge fan of the furniture guys, I knew my husband would enjoy this as a birthday present. I just didn't know how much! He reads it over and over and even takes it back and forth from work! He loves the humor as well as all of the great suggestions and ideas.



3. JOSE, CAN YOU SEE?

   The humor is there, as is the really helpful information and professional tips on how to get the results the pros do. BUT, the publisher should have sprung for how-to photos that can be seen without a microscope! Come on, guys, I'll pay a buck or two more for pictures I can see.




4. As a long time fan of the Furniture Guys, the book was a must for me. Just like their TV shows, the book is very informative & funny at the same time. An excellent book for those who want to take on home furniture repair themselves.



5. It appears that this book is compiled of a number of projects that Joe and Ed did on their TV Show. But I think there are better resources out there. If I were them, I think I'd look for a new editor & publisher for their next work.

   The Pros:
   * Interesting side bars on specific topics (assuming you can find them when you need them) including materials, art history, etc.
   * Covers both wood and upholstery work
   * Covers a variety of techniques

   The Cons:
   * Aside from the few pages in the middle of full color sheets, all the diagrams are about 1" x 1.5" b&w photos or line drawings. It is very difficult to see what's going on with them. There is profuse text, but give me a few more pictures and a few thousand words less.

   * There is clowning around and running gags throughout the book. I'm a light hearted guy, but think this is a little overdone. Maybe it works on their TV show.

   * There are some technical errors and omissions. For example, Pure Turpentine is not a petrochemical. I caught a few places where you were instructed to make a stain or something without any idea of quantities or colors.

   I think you would be better served to read any of the following books on wood finishing and repair:

   * Great Wood Finishes: A Step-By-Step Guide to Consistent and Beautiful Results by Jeff Jewitt

   * Understanding Wood Finishing: How to Select and Apply the Right Finish by Bob Flexner

   * Perfect Wood Finishing Made Easy by Sue Noble

   * Furniture Repair & Refinishing by Brian D. Hingley

   Sorry, but I don't have a good upholstery recommendation at this time.

1 comments about Time-Life Books Complete Home Improvement and Renovation Manual.

1. I initially borrowed this book from the library when I began remodeling our kitchen. After referring to the book daily for about four weeks, I figured it was time to add this book to my library.

   This is a well-organized manual for the "do-it-yourselfer" who has a basic understanding of homeowner skills. Narrative and illustrations work well together to provide the reader with a good understanding of the tasks, skills, materials and tools needed to complete each task.