The Complete Guide to Renovating and Improving Property
Liz Hodgkinson Paperback 224 pages (July 30, 2004)This unique new book is an authoritative guide for anyone planning to undertake major renovation work, home improvements, conversions, or even to build a house themselves! Best-selling author and journalist Liz Hodgkinson owns a number of properties, and has first hand experience of the difficulties encountered when trying to arrange any kind of home improvement. In his amusing and enjoyable book, she shows how and when to employ professionals, builders and contractors. She also explores the uneasy relationship that often exists between builder and client, and shows how to get the best results from a trade that is unregulated and often expensive. Authoritative, informative and down-to-earth, this book provides advice on a wealth of topics such as: making the right decision; arranging the finance; finding a good builder; project management; surveys and valuations; planning regulations; kitchens, bathrooms; extensions; loft conversions; renovation and restoration; conversions; and new-build homes. It also shows how to make the right investment decision and add value, but not over invest in a property. Packed with real-life stories including interviews with builders, this book will be a valuable information source for anyone facing the minefield of home improvement.