Renovating and Restyling Older Homes: The Professional's Guide to Maximum Value Remodeling

I bought the book almost 2 years ago when I embarked on my farmhouse renovation. I confess, at the time the book was over my head. Thank goodness for an amazing contractor...here I am 2 years later, and I decided to read the book cover to cover. Wow...everything the book covered was done to my house and now, I actually understand it all! It's 1 thing to upgrade from 100 amp to 200 but it's another to understand why! I've learned alot in the past 2 years and whatever I didn't understand the book explained!

Renovating & Restyling Older Homes: The Professional's Guide To Maximum Value Remodeling by home remodeling and renovation expert Lawrence Dworin is a thorough, professional, quality guide written specifically to address the difficulties of restoring the beauty and practical function of homes built before 1930. Dworin effectively covers the technique of maximum value remodeling; reveals the substantial potential available for renovators in the older home market; and how to raise profit margins while giving customers their money's worth in restoration/renovation services. With an equal-handed approach to cost sensibility, top quality, and preserving history, Renovating & Restyling Older Homes is a superbly presented primer for anyone interested in upgrading property and living fixtures that were built before modern standards of convenience.

I laughed my head off reading this book, from beginning to end! I can almost see & hear Mr. Dworin, sitting on the front porch of his latest project, a mischevious glint in his eyes, answering each of my stupid questions with a real-life-experience story. His wry humor, and (obviously) extensive experience with "worst-case" structural problems and mid-project surprizes convinced me that EVEN I can do a lot of the work my old house needs myself. He's taken the scary part out of the equation.Thanks Larry...by the way, can I call you for help when I grossly over-estimate my own ability?

For all who dream of fixing up their homes or buying older homes and repairing them, this is the book. It contains detailed information on every part of a house from roof to basement. It tells you what to look for in all parts of vintage houses and how to estimate the work involved in rehabs. The information is valid for newer houses also because it covers basics such as heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical, porches, roofs, attics, kitchens, bathrooms, floors, walls, ceilings, windows, architectural styles. It describes inspection, repairing, restoring, landscaping, and additions. This book is comprehensive, objective, detailed and educational.