Review: Useful information to read before the start of a major project
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 6, 2012
This book is about the process of remodelling - hiring a contractor, getting proper permits, writing a contract.  I have done a large remodelling project and having this book would have been helpful.  After reading it I see that I could have done things better. Getting started on the project is a bit nerve wracking.  Finding reliable people to do the project, knowing what they should do in terms of permits and paperwork,  and knowing what should be included in the contract was pretty daunting.  Home Remodeling - What You Don't Know and How It Really Works helps to know should be done. If you read it prior to starting a major project it will help you make the right choices.Below is the annotated table of content that will give you an idea of what is included in the book.Chapter 1 - Your Home, Your Money, Your Family.Prepares you for the emotional roller coaster of a remodel.Chapter 2 - Deciding to RemodelHelps you decide what jobs to include in the projectChapter 3 - Contractors and how to Find OneThe author discusses the pluses and minuses of dealing with a single contractor who either works alone or with a helper vs a larger company with a general contractor who organizes a team of people who specialize in a narrow area.  He also has strong opinions about acting as your own general contractor.The author stresses the importance of getting independent reviews, as the contractor himself is unlikely to provide a reference that would have anything negative to say.  The author mentions Angie's List and Better Business Bureau as sources for independent review.I found the mention of various red flags useful, such as if the contractor does not want to get a building permit.Chapter 4 - Building Permits, Historical Commissions, Conservation Commissions, and Zoning BoardsThe section on getting permits and getting approvals prepares you for a complicated battle, which you likely to face if you live in densly populated area such as New York, New England, or West Coast.  This section is quite detailed and covers the bulding permits, environmental regulations, wetlands, septic systems, energy codes, zoning requirements, and historic designation.Chapter 5 - Design and PreparationIf you like being prepared, the chapter about meeting with the designer will give you things to consider before the meeting.Chapter 6 - Money, Money, MoneyThe chapter is about the cost of the project, budgeting and how to avoid the budget killing your creativity.Chapter 7 - Your remodelling contactThis is a very important chapter on what to include in the contract, how to structure payments and milestones.Chapter 8 - The emotional roller coasterThings rarely go perfectly from start to end, this chapter is a pep talk to set your expectations that some things are likely not to be perfect and how to handle it.Chapter 9 - Subcontractors and TradespeopleHow to deal with subcontractors your contractor hires to keep a good relationship with both parties.Chapter 10 - Your Project is Done. What Now?Wrap up: reevaluate and learn for the next projectThis book combined common sense with a lot of experience about remodelling business.  It can make you big project go smoother and give you confidence that you have done your best to protect your interests.Ali Julia reviewI received a review copy of this book for writing an unbiased review.