Product Index

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Roofing Construction and Estimating by Craftsman  Everything you need to know to estimate, build, and repair practically every type of roof covering: asphalt shingles, roll roofing, wood shingles & shakes, clay tile, slate, metal, built-up, and elastomeric. Shows how to measure and estimate most roofs (including estimating shortcuts discovered by the author), how to install leak-proof underlayment and flashing, and how to solve problems with insulation, vapor barriers, and waterproofing. Over 300 large, clear illustrations that help you find the answers to all your roofing questions.    more...

Roofing with Asphalt Shingles by Mike Guertin  Asphalt is the most common roofing material in North America. With 65 drawings and over 200 color photographs, this book is an in-depth guide to working with it. whether the reader is a professional installing a brand-new roof or a do-it-yourselfer simply making necessary repairs.    more...

Roofing the Right Way 3RD Edition by Steven Bolt  If you're one of the 23 million families in America whose homes are more than 50 years old, this is definitely a must read... gives you a complete rundown of what to look for when inspecting your roof, what materials are available-there are lots of new ones-and how to do the job yourself... There are plenty of good black-and-white photos and diagrams to help you understand the techniques of installing a roof.   more...

National Construction Estimator [With CDROM] (National Construction Estimator (W/CD)) [Paperback]  60th Annual Edition - Current building costs for residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Estimated prices for every common building material, the labor cost to install the material and a total "installed" cost. For those jobs where you can't rely on your past experience to estimate, rely on the prices in this national standard of construction costs to get you safely in the ballpark. Provides manhours, recommended crew, and the labor cost for installation of every job and practically every type of material in construction. Provides clear descriptions on what is included in the job being estimated so you know exactly what the job and the prices for that job entail. Every cost is carefully described. It even provides suggested crew sizes, and equipment rates. New costs for 2012 include: pollution control costs for motor generator sets, costs of hydronic boilers, windstorm certified roof turbine fans, wind turbine generators, garage exhaust fans, hybrid central and heating and cooling, LEED certified boilers, and LEED certified hydronic hot water generators. Includes a CD-ROM with an electronic version of the book with National Estimator, a stand-alone Windows estimating program, plus an interactive multimedia video that shows how to use the disk to compile construction cost estimates. Revised annually.    more...

How to Hire a Home Improvement Contractor Without Getting Chiseled  An experienced home contractor offers reliable advice to readers on how to avoid the scams and get the most for their money--now updated to reflect the latest prices, materials, and consumer-protection information. 90 photos. 86 diagrams &charts.   more...

The Unofficial Guide to Hiring Contractors by Duncan Calder Stephens  Millions of dollars are spent on home renovations each year. . . and millions more on lawsuits over poor workmanship, scheduling, or contract terms. So when the roof needs re-shingling or the kitchen has to be painted, how does a homeowner get the work done without being taken to the cleaners? The Unofficial Guide to Hiring Contractors teaches readers to assess their needs, research their options, and make decisions that can save them a bundle. It addresses the homeowner's concerns by giving.   more...

Ready, Set, Build: A Consumers Guide to Home Improvement Planning and Contracts by Steve Gonzalez  Nationally recognized Certified Residential Contractor Steve Gonzalez combines his 17 years of experience in the building industry into an indispensable, easy-to-read guide, covering details that every homeowner needs to know when considering a home improvement project. Each chapter helps consumers make educated decisions & avoid pitfalls. Topics include the five essentials to look for when selecting a contractor, how to obtain comparative bids & what to include in the contract. Coverage includes an in-depth look at consumer rights, lien laws & project financing, with emphasis on contract specifications, draw schedules & contractors' financial responsibility. Recommended by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the National Association of Homebuilders & Home Owners Warranty Corporation.    more...

Be Your Own Renovation Contractor by Carl Heldmann  By the author of Be Your Own House Contractor, this book explains finding and appraising a restorable structure, obtaining financing, and hiring subcontractors. Includes sample contracts, bids, inspection reports, insurance forms, and blueprints. By the author of Be Your Own House Contractor, this book explains finding and appraising a restorable structure, obtaining financing, and hiring subcontractors. Includes sample contracts, bids, inspection reports, insurance forms, and blueprints. Advice on finding a restorable building, assessing its worth, and getting financing for it, as well as scheduling, evaluating, and paying contractors and subcontractors.   more...

The Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement  If you are one of the 50 million plus homeowners who will perform some type of home improvement project this year — here is your chance to save some serious money. Armed with The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement, readers can improve the value of their home while saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year by doing some or all of the work themselves. The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement is the most up-to-date book of its type available. Unlike other books, which blend home repair with improvement projects, this book is devoted entirely to step-by-step remodeling projects designed to improve the livability and value of your home. It features the very latest tools, building materials, and construction techniques to ensure professional results every time.    more...

Family Handyman Helpful Hints:Time-Savings Tips, Tricks by Readers Digest  The Family Handyman Helpful Hints is the ideal companion for anyone who works around the house. This comprehensive collection of the tricks of the trade is the next best thing to having a pro at your elbow. More than 2,000 time-saving, money-saving, work-saving tips for the home and workshop put you in command of your tools and materials. Brief, clear instructions and over 1,300 full-color illustrations will enable you to do almost any job more quickly and easily. Hints cover a wide variety of jobs, from setting up a workshop to creating more storage space, from working with plumbing, electrical, and heating systems to sprucing up your home and your garden, from repairing and refinishing furniture to framing and hanging pictures.   more...