Black & Decker Complete Home Improvement: with 300 Projects and 2,000 Photos (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide) [DELUXE EDITION] (Paperback)
October 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Remodeling Books
This new deluxe edition of the classic Black & Decker« Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement now includes a durable washable flex cover that makes the book ideal for use on the homeowners work site.With nearly 300 projects, this book is indispensable for DIYers who have moved beyond basic home repair and are ready to tackle projects that make a big difference in quality of life — and in their savings accounts. DIYers who tackle their own major remodeling projects achieve exactly (more…)
I bought this book just before purchasing my first home. It provided me with the information I needed to make successful improvements to my home.
Within a week after purchasing my house, I was installing new flooring, toilets, sinks, faucets, electrical outlets and switches, and light fixtures. These are things that I had NEVER done, but was able to do successfully with the help of this book.
If you do get this book, I also strongly recommend the Black & Decker Complete Guide to Home Repair as a companion. There is some overlap between the two books, but there are important pieces that are exclusive to each. Best wishes with your project!
The B&D Home Improvement book is the core of my home improvement library. I reviewed other home improvement books at Home Depot, but liked B&D’s books. I also own the B&D Home Repair and B&D Bathrooms books. The three books use many of the same pictures, but I do not regret buying any of them. I prefer this book over the others because the projects it covers are things I would like to do, like remodeling a bathroom, etc. In addition, the book covers making things from “scratch” which is how many projects are once you finish the demolition phase. In comparison, the home repair book focuses on repairs rather than new projects.
As an engineer, I consider myself “above average” in home repair. However, this book has saved me a few times, when I got lost, such as helping me to understand a three way electric switch circuit for my kitchen light.
The cut away diagrams are very useful; especially for the plumbing sections. They literally cut things in half, to show you the inside view, whether it be a garbage disposal or a shower stall.
Black & Decker used significant resources in making this book because in a way it is an advertisement for B&D tools. The book conveniently displays and uses Black & Decker tools in the pictures. Bear in mind that Black & Decker is in the business of selling tools, not books. However, that being said the book is still a great reference.