Product Description

Somewhere in your house is a "dream home" that's just waiting to emerge! Whether you're replacing an old sink or adding on a master suite, this great remodeling guide takes the anxiety out of the process and replaces it with easy-to-follow advice and step-by-step instructions for managing every angle of your project, from estimating costs and hiring reliable contractors to dealing with the physical and psychological factors of living in the middle of a construction zone. Home Remodeling For Dummies helps you assess your remodeling plans, determine a reasonable budget you can live with (and stick to), and get the permits and permissions you need before the work begins. Home Remodeling For Dummies is the complete guide to remodeling, from windows to entire rooms. This book is loaded with plenty of illustrations, charts, and checklists to make your project planning a breeze, thanks to the nationally-recognized Carey Brothers and their combined 40 years of experience as award-winning, licensed contractors and hosts of the weekly radio program and syndicated newspaper column "On The House."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #242760 in Books
• Published on: 1998-08
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

From Library Journal
This book is aptly titled, for most people undertaking a home remodeling project feel like dummies, at least some of the time. However, the Careys, remodeling contractors named to Remodeling magazine's "Big 50 Hall of Fame of Best Remodelers," offer sound advice to those undertaking projects large and small. This book provides excellent, in-depth information about the bidding process, dealing with government officials and contractors, and living through the actual remodeling as one's home becomes a construction site. Materials and methods of work are described so that the reader can evaluate how a job is done. This book's design is standard "Dummies" issue, with some line drawings and tables supplementing the text. More illustrations would have been nice, but this is still a good introduction to the subject. Recommended for all public libraries.?Jonathan N. Hershey, Akron-Summit Cty. P.L., OH
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
James and Morris Carey, known as the Carey Brothers, are nationally recognized experts on home building and renovation. They share their combined 40 years of experience as award-winning, licensed contractors with millions nationwide through a weekly radio program and syndicated newspaper column, both titled "On The House." With wit, enthusiasm, and clarity, the Carey Brothers' Associated Press syndicated newspaper column and four-hour radio broadcast offer people money-saving tips on building, remodeling, and repairing homes. The column, with accompanying graphics, appears in dozens of newspapers across the country including The Los Angeles Times, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, San Diego Union-Tribune, New Orleans Times-Picayune and San Francisco Examiner.

These third-generation contractors hold 12-year broadcast careers in radio and television. They deliver user-friendly, hands-on advice in their radio program, which is carried coast-to-coast weekly, via satellite, to a rapidly growing network of more than 170 stations. The program also is broadcast via live remote from home and building expos nationwide. The Careys presently appear as regulars on the Family Channel's Home and Family television program, hosted by Cristina Ferrare and Michael Burger, and have appeared as guests on national and local television programs, including Vicki and ABC-TV's Home Show and Caryl & Marilyn: Real Friends, among others.

Recognized for their efforts in answering immediate and constant structural concerns by the public in the hours and days following the devastating October 1989 earthquake, the Carey Brothers and KCBS in San Francisco received the George Foster Peabody Award, broadcasting's most prestigious honor, for their outstanding contributions towards "comprehensive, intelligent, and useful coverage." Morris and James continue to own and operate a successful home remodeling and construction firm, Carey Bros., and have been named to Remodeling magazine's Hall of Fame "Big 50," which recognizes top achievers in the industry and have been honored as one of the nation's top 500 companies by Qualified Remodeler magazine.

In addition to their syndicated column, they authored a how-to book, Cost-Effective Home Upgrades, published by Ortho Books, 1992. And Morris was a regular contributor to Remodeling Contractor and The Journal of Light Construction. They currently author a column for Home Magazine's Best Selling Home Plans.

The brothers are ardent supporters of Habitat for Humanity, both locally and nationally. They were the founding fathers of the first California chapter of the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI), with James serving as the chapter's first president. James resides with his family in Brentwood, California, where he is a former member of the City Planning Commission and Design Review Board. Morris lives in Pittsburg, California, where he formerly produced a locally televised broadcast of Pittsburg City Council meetings for students, seniors, and shut-ins.

For relaxation, the brothers enjoy golfing -- describing themselves as "true hackers." Admitted "homebodies," Morris and James are forever remodeling their own homes. "It gives us something to do in our spare time," quips Morris. James enjoys family camping, while Morris delights in working in the garden with his wife, and loves being a grandfather.

Homeowners can receive answers to their specific home renovation and repair questions by calling the Carey Brothers toll-free number, 1-800-REPAIR-IT (737-2474), during their radio program, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time; via e-mail at careybro@onthehouse.; James and Morris Carey, known as the Carey Brothers, are nationally recognized experts on home building and renovation. They share their combined 40 years of experience as award-winning, licensed contractors with millions nationwide through a weekly radio program and syndicated newspaper column, both titled "On The House." With wit, enthusiasm, and clarity, the Carey Brothers' Associated Press syndicated newspaper column and four-hour radio broadcast offer people money-saving tips on building, remodeling, and repairing homes. The column, with accompanying graphics, appears in dozens of newspapers across the country including The Los Angeles Times, Cleveland Plain-Dealer, San Diego Union-Tribune, New Orleans Times-Picayune and San Francisco Examiner.

These third-generation contractors hold 12-year broadcast careers in radio and television. They deliver user-friendly, hands-on advice in their radio program, which is carried coast-to-coast weekly, via satellite, to a rapidly growing network of more than 170 stations. The program also is broadcast via live remote from home and building expos nationwide. The Careys presently appear as regulars on the Family Channel's Home and Family television program, hosted by Cristina Ferrare and Michael Burger, and have appeared as guests on national and local television programs, including Vicki and ABC-TV's Home Show and Caryl & Marilyn: Real Friends, among others.

Recognized for their efforts in answering immediate and constant structural concerns by the public in the hours and days following the devastating October 1989 earthquake, the Carey Brothers and KCBS in San Francisco received the George Foster Peabody Award, broadcasting's most prestigious honor, for their outstanding contributions towards "comprehensive, intelligent, and useful coverage." Morris and James continue to own and operate a successful home remodeling and construction firm, Carey Bros., and have been named to Remodeling magazine's Hall of Fame "Big 50," which recognizes top achievers in the industry and have been honored as one of the nation's top 500 companies by Qualified Remodeler magazine.

In addition to their syndicated column, they authored a how-to book, Cost-Effective Home Upgrades, published by Ortho Books, 1992. And Morris was a regular contributor to Remodeling Contractor and The Journal of Light Construction. They currently author a column for Home Magazine's Best Selling Home Plans.

The brothers are ardent supporters of Habitat for Humanity, both locally and nationally. They were the founding fathers of the first California chapter of the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI), with James serving as the chapter's first president. James resides with his family in Brentwood, California, where he is a former member of the City Planning Commission and Design Review Board. Morris lives in Pittsburg, California, where he formerly produced a locally televised broadcast of Pittsburg City Council meetings for students, seniors, and shut-ins.

For relaxation, the brothers enjoy golfing -- describing themselves as "true hackers." Admitted "homebodies," Morris and James are forever remodeling their own homes. "It gives us something to do in our spare time," quips Morris. James enjoys family camping, while Morris delights in working in the garden with his wife, and loves being a grandfather.

Homeowners can receive answers to their specific home renovation and repair questions by calling the Carey Brothers toll-free number, 1-800-REPAIR-IT (737-2474), during their radio program, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time; via e-mail at careybro@onthehouse.

Customer Reviews

Authors / Title are deceptive
THANKS FOR ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!! Book claims in the description to have loads of charts and step by step instructions for remodeling .
Personally i do not consider an example of a contract to be an example.

Like in the section about replacing windows, now there is where a diagram is needed.
Yes i may have been a sucker for buying the book, but the dummies are definitely the authors !!!!

The Carey Brothers' book was the VERY BEST on the subject!!
Morris and James Carey saved my sanity, my wallet, and quite possibly my marriage with their book "Home Remodeling for Dummies"! There are very few things in life more stressful than a remodel, but this book helped me put the stress where it belonged- on everyone else! I learned how to plan the addition for my twins room from concept to sunset, and I learned how to deal with a contractor and a budget. Keeping both of those on the same path as our vision of our remodel was a feat I wouldn't have been able to accomplish without the advice from this book. I never would have even attempted this project without the encouragement and confidence I gained from reading it- thus the "5 STAR" recomendation I give "Home Remodeling for Dummies".