Remodel! An Architect's Advice on Home Renovation
by Greg Gibson
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Description
Residential architect and renovation expert Greg Gibson shows you how to successfully manage the entire remodeling process It's no secret that remodeling a house can be a complex and expensive undertaking, and finding reliable information on how to do it can be very difficult. In Remodel! An Architect's Advice on Home Renovation, homeowners get practical, real-world advice on managing the entire process with a minimum of expense and stress. From assessing the viability of the project through show more directing the progress of construction, this indispensable book shows you how to: Determine remodeling viability Quickly estimate project costs and determine cost-recouped-at-resale value Choose a project methodology that works best for you Find, hire, negotiate, and contract a designer and a builder Keep the remodeling project on track and within budget Shop for, select, and approve the installation of products and finishes Live in the house while construction is going on Minimize your risk by managing cash flow Close out the job only when an acceptable level of quality has been achieved Illustrated with more than 200 descriptive photos of real remodeling projects in progress, and supplemented with numerous drawings, project checklists, and sample contracts, Remodel! An Architect's Advice on Home Renovation will show you how to manage the design and building process confidently and realize your dream of an improved home. show lessTags
Member Reviews
Darn it, Greg, you’re an architect, not an author!
As a first-time homeowner grappling with the prospect of a mid-level, whole-house renovation this summer, I scoured my local library in search on any and every book I could find on home renovations. Unfortunately, many non-DIY books seem to concentrate on new home construction vs. the remodeling of existing homes. REMODEL!: AN ARCHITECT'S ADVICE ON HOME RENOVATION is one of the volumes I located that falls into the latter category.
In REMODEL!, author and architect Greg Gibson shares his advice for homeowners who wish undertake a home renovation (particularly additions). He covers the process from start to finish, including hiring and working with architects, designers, and general and show more subcontractors. The discussion runs the gamut, from interview questions to the necessity of contracts and shopping for fixtures and furnishings.
While Gibson does offer many helpful hints, his writing style is somewhat scattered and disjointed. Too often, the text takes the form of a rambling conversation rather than a concise how-to guide. The author's predilection for analogies and clichés is a bit disconcerting after awhile, and he has a tendency towards tangents. Additionally, a number of photos are sprinkled throughout the book - but more often than not, they have little-to-nothing to do with the topic at hand. Sometimes, they fill an entire page or group of pages; other times, a small paragraph of text is wedged under or between photos. As a result, I found myself flipping back and forth through the chapters, trying to figure out where the book's text picked back up after a section of photos. Annoying, to say the least.
Overall, the book just doesn't flow well. It's hard to articulate, but there's also something a bit off-putting about Gibson's tone. Look closely, and you'll find all sorts of jabs and digs in REMODEL!, be they at fellow architects and designers, general contractors, subcontractors, or past clients. Sure, they may have been well-deserved and presented as a cautionary tale for the reader, but they didn't have to be served up in such a bitter fashion. Just sayin'.
If you're thinking of hiring an architect or other design professional to spearhead your home renovation, REMODEL! is probably worth a look. At the very least, it offers a glimpse into the mind of an architect. This, in fact, is REMODEL!'s greatest strength - giving you, the homeowner, and idea of what to expect (and what is expected of you) when working with a home design pro. In terms of vetting general contractors, choosing a design scheme, financing a home reno, and other aspects of home remodeling, I've seen better books on the subject.
www.easyvegan.info/2007/05/02/remodel-by-greg-gibson/ show less
As a first-time homeowner grappling with the prospect of a mid-level, whole-house renovation this summer, I scoured my local library in search on any and every book I could find on home renovations. Unfortunately, many non-DIY books seem to concentrate on new home construction vs. the remodeling of existing homes. REMODEL!: AN ARCHITECT'S ADVICE ON HOME RENOVATION is one of the volumes I located that falls into the latter category.
In REMODEL!, author and architect Greg Gibson shares his advice for homeowners who wish undertake a home renovation (particularly additions). He covers the process from start to finish, including hiring and working with architects, designers, and general and show more subcontractors. The discussion runs the gamut, from interview questions to the necessity of contracts and shopping for fixtures and furnishings.
While Gibson does offer many helpful hints, his writing style is somewhat scattered and disjointed. Too often, the text takes the form of a rambling conversation rather than a concise how-to guide. The author's predilection for analogies and clichés is a bit disconcerting after awhile, and he has a tendency towards tangents. Additionally, a number of photos are sprinkled throughout the book - but more often than not, they have little-to-nothing to do with the topic at hand. Sometimes, they fill an entire page or group of pages; other times, a small paragraph of text is wedged under or between photos. As a result, I found myself flipping back and forth through the chapters, trying to figure out where the book's text picked back up after a section of photos. Annoying, to say the least.
Overall, the book just doesn't flow well. It's hard to articulate, but there's also something a bit off-putting about Gibson's tone. Look closely, and you'll find all sorts of jabs and digs in REMODEL!, be they at fellow architects and designers, general contractors, subcontractors, or past clients. Sure, they may have been well-deserved and presented as a cautionary tale for the reader, but they didn't have to be served up in such a bitter fashion. Just sayin'.
If you're thinking of hiring an architect or other design professional to spearhead your home renovation, REMODEL! is probably worth a look. At the very least, it offers a glimpse into the mind of an architect. This, in fact, is REMODEL!'s greatest strength - giving you, the homeowner, and idea of what to expect (and what is expected of you) when working with a home design pro. In terms of vetting general contractors, choosing a design scheme, financing a home reno, and other aspects of home remodeling, I've seen better books on the subject.
www.easyvegan.info/2007/05/02/remodel-by-greg-gibson/ show less
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