“Perfect for a DIY novice, the user-friendly book provides you with the basic DIY skills and guidance to get the job done.” – Style Magazine
Start doing your own household repairs and simple renovations without the expense of calling in a professional!
Complete beginner’s reference guide to household repairs and simple renovationsLearn basic DIY skills and get expert guidance to get the job doneSimple presentation for the DIY novice and first-time homeownersAuthors Jo Behari & Alison Winfield-Chislett are experienced DIY experts
If you are frustrated by your own inability to handle a repair, or resentful of having to pay someone to take care of simple home maintenance, you’ve come to the right place!
Owning a home can be expensive. Throw maintenance costs into the mix and it’s enough to feel buried by cost after cost. Data from Buildfax states that home repairs have increased by thirty percent in just five years! Most Americans are not prepared for or expecting these types of additional costs. Being prepared can help homeowners save money and ease your financial burdens.
This practical handbook was created to solve this very dilemma. Full of expert advice, Beginner’s Guide to DIY & Home Repair provides first-time homeowners and renters with the basic skills and guidance you need to get the job done. It features easy instructions for all the home DIY basics, from painting and wallpapering to simple plumbing, changing a lock, using power tools, fixing a squeaky board, and much more.
The book was authored by an all-star home repair duo: Jo Behari is the founder of Home Jane?the UK’s first all-female home improvement and property maintenance company. She was a presenter on the British public-service television series Make, Do and Mend, and is currently the DIY expert columnist for House Beautiful magazine.
Co-author Alison Winfield-Chislett is the founder of The Goodlife Centre, an independent teaching workshop in London that provides courses in DIY, home maintenance, decorating, upholstery, woodwork and carpentry, furniture upcycling and restoration, and various traditional hand crafts. With a degree in ceramics and glass from the Royal College of Art, Alison worked as a staff designer for Tiffany and was a senior designer for Asprey, the iconic British luxury jeweler.
“Houses can be a daunting issue to the uninitiated and when undertaking repairs, you need to be confident of your decisions,” says Behari. “In this book, Alison and I will act as your DIY and home repair whisperers. You’ll feel empowered to take on your next home project!”
This ultimate reference guide for the DIY novice offers help for anyone who has a busy working life but still wants to make their home look good without spending a fortune!
From the Publisher
Simple DIY Hacks
This book is packed with hints, techniques, and hacks to make your DIY projects a breeze! You’ll learn how to:
Make furniture last longer Prevent painting tools from drying out Avoid bad contractors Prevent scuff marks when removing hooks and nails Store your tools and materials efficiently Get the best paint finish …and much more!
DIY Home Repair and Improvement
An Easy Reference for Beginners
Being a first-time homeowner comes with great joys, but it also comes with great responsibilities!
The beginner-friendly knowledge found inside this book will not only give you an essential understanding of how your house functions, it will also provide you with the skills you need to make your house a home.
You’ll learn the basics of how your home is put together and gain the confidence you need to know when things are going wrong—and how to fix them when they do!
Complete your own household repairs and simple renovations Insider DIY hacks make tasks easier and more efficient Expert guidance and simple presentations with helpful photography, captions, and illustrations Step-by-step instructions for home projects from floor to ceiling
Perfect Projects for the DIY Novice
Better Organization & Storage
Has anyone ever said, ‘I have too much storage space’? Seems unlikely!
You’ll find projects inside this book to make a cozy home for all your belongings. Construct a custom closet, install some alcove shelving, or try wire suspension shelves.
Soon you’ll have the perfect place for everything!
Spruce Up Walls & Ceilings
Changing the décor in a room is one of the most satisfying ways to make a real difference in your space.
You’ll find beginner-friendly projects inside to help you personalize each room with DIY painting and decorating. Prepare the surfaces, fill in any holes, paint, hang wallpaper—you’ll find everything you need to know to do the job right!
Fix Doors & Windows
Learn how to provide essential maintenance on these integral parts of your home.
You’ll be equipped to draft-proof your doors and windows, fix a sticky door, add security features, and learn the best way to paint sash windows or a paneled door.
Upgrade Kitchens & Bathrooms
There are plenty of novice-friendly repairs and upgrades you can tackle in your kitchen and bathrooms before having to call a professional!
This book will teach you how to unblock a drain trap, reseal a bathtub, remove old tiles—and even give your kitchen cabinets a face-lift!
Update Your Flooring
Carpet, or paint? Lay laminate flooring, vinyl, or linoleum tiles? Read all about the different options to find the solutions that’s right for you!
Plus, you’ll learn how to refinish wood floors, draft-proof your baseboards, and install vinyl tiles.
Save Your Furniture
Don’t throw out that chair! Rather than replacing a less-than-perfect piece, try practicing your budding DIY skills to renovate it.
Breathe new life into your furniture with a fresh coat of paint, wax, or polish, and learn how to fix a wobbly chair, wardrobe, or bookcase. Save the money you would have spent on that expensive new furniture!
Outdoor DIY
If you’re lucky enough to have some outdoor space, you’ll want it to be as pleasant and practical as possible!
Personalize your yard or garden by learning how to hang plants on exterior walls or paint a wooden fence. Tackle useful DIY projects like installing a pet flap door, setting up a rain barrel, and even install your own artificial lawn.
Step-by-Step Directions
The projects inside are provided with a list of required materials and tools, step-by-step directions, tips, photographs, and illustrations—all the guidance you’ll need to attack a new DIY project and be assured of success!
The Right Tool for the Job
Knowing what tools you have and what they can do will allow you to plan the job at hand whenever you find the time. Inside this book, you’ll find a handy guide to tools for measuring and marking, cutting, fastening, drilling, smoothing and shaping, as well as glues and solvents. There’s also a suggestion for a basic tool kit to help you get started!
A Primer to Building Materials
Get to know your way around a building supply store! You’ll learn how to pick the type of material you need to suit your project, whether it be MDF, fiberboard, decorative-faced particleboard, or solid wood.
Beginner’s Skills to Master
Mastering just a few basic skills will allow you to tackle a whole range of projects! Learn how to measure and cut wood, join two bits of wood together, drill holes in walls, and more, and soon you’ll be a confident do-it-yourselfer!
Step-by-Step
Tools
Materials
Skills
Publisher : Creative Homeowner; Updated and Revised edition (June 10, 2019)
Language : English
Paperback : 160 pages
ISBN-10 : 1580118283
ISBN-13 : 978-1580118286
Item Weight : 1 pounds
Dimensions : 7 x 0.5 x 9 inches
