From review by Robert Irwin
If you are even remotely thinking about renovating your house or condo, first come to your senses and read "Home Renovation Checklist" by Robert Irwin. The result will be you will either plunge enthusiastically ahead, or you will realize how much work is involved, even if you plan to hire a professional contractor.
Author Robert Irwin, who has written dozens of superb real estate books, obviously has extensive experience with home renovations. In his latest book, written in a unique question and answer format, Irwin raises just about every possible issue which might be involved in small and big home remodeling projects.
...The early emphasis is on hiring a remodeling contractor and all the things that might go wrong. Then the focus progresses to signing the contract, obtaining plans and building permits and financing the renovations.
These are all essential parts of a home renovation, whether just one room or the entire residence...
About the sixth chapter, Robert Irwin makes a dramatic shift to explain the various components involved in typical home renovations. Although probably not all aspects will be involved in your home remodeling, it's good to know the many considerations before deciding to go ahead with your residence upgrades.
Virtually every possible home improvement topic is discussed. A constant theme throughout the various chapters is saving money. Irwin always suggests asking for discounts, whether from suppliers or from a general contractor who might have access to special trade discounts.
Along the way, Robert Irwin quietly injects his personal advice. However, he could have been more specific regarding personal examples, both good and bad, from his renovation projects.
This great book should be read cover-to-cover, and then re-read by chapter for the topics of special personal interest. For example, you might not be especially interested in the chapter about paint if you plan to hire a professional painter. But even that chapter is important because it explains how to hire a quality painter, whether or not you should buy the paint yourself or let the painter purchase the paint using his professional discount.
At first, as a book reviewer, I had trouble getting used to the unusual question and answer format, with check-boxes for answers to the questions, which often can't be answered just "yes" or "no." But as I read further, I realized the questions are to be asked of the remodeling contractor, equipment suppliers, and others, but they need not be answered with short answers. In other words, they are just reminder questions so the homeowner won't forget important topics.
The checklist is really a summary of considerations home remodellers should not overlook. Many of the same type of questions are repeated, such as asking the contractor if he carries workers' compensation insurance for his workers. By the way, that question is extremely important when hiring anyone who has employees.
Chapter topics include "Hiring the Contractor"; "Checking Out the Contract"; "Plans and Permissions"; "Financing the Work"; "Doing It Yourself"; "Bath, Bed, and Kitchen Decisions"; "Installing Cabinets"; "Installing Countertops"' "Putting in New Floors"; "Adding New Kitchen Appliances"; "Installing Electrical Fixtures"; "Painting"; "Demolition and Cleanup"; and "Adding a Deck."
This unusual book is not atypical home remodeling book. Instead, it contains sage advice from a real estate writer who has remodeled many houses, written in a special format that requires flexibility accepting. Overall, Robert Irwin does an excellent job of reminding house and condo owners of virtually all the home renovation considerations. On my scale of one to 10, this outstanding new book rates a solid 10. -- Bruss, Robert J. "Inman News Features" (07/22/2003)
