Home Maintenance for Dummies :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

worked

2008-04-05
This book has provided me with the knowledge that I needed to complete jobs around the house that I could not otherwise have been able to do. This book provided me with the incentive to do it myself.

Generally, too general

2007-04-20
This book tries to cover everything on home maintenance and ultimately fails to adequately explain in detail the things you might really use.

Take, for example, insulating an attic space. It's covered, but only very briefly. I ended up using various websites that had more detail and were more helpful when I took up that project.

There's an entire chapter on pools and spas, an entire chapter on decks, and several others that seem to be a bit more specialized. That's not a problem; the problem is that the general home stuff that almost any homeowner would need (e.g. plumming or HVAC or normal repairs) get less treatment.

I have no doubt the authors would be able to repair just about anything in most houses. But their book, supposedly for idiots, glazes over far too many normal repairs without enough detail for us idiots to actually be able to use this book.

There are some helpful tidbits in here, and if you already have a collection of DIY type home repair books, this might make a good addition. But if you're looking for a good general home repair book to help you with most normal home repair projects - this isn't it.

This is a good overview of a home and it's systems

2006-03-22
I purchased this book along with two other home maintenance and repair books because I am a new homeowner and would like to be on top of my game. I also bought it because I was really concerned about how deeply technical the other two books would get and I knew this would give me a good foundation. This book is good because it breaks down a home into it's various systems and gives you a good general overview of how each of them work and what they're comprised of. The best part about this book, in my opinion, is the Home Maintenance Schedule and Checklist. It gives you a good description of what needs to be done when and you can refer to the book for instruction if necessary. I imagine this book will be instrumental in keeping my home in great condition through the years.

Back of the net!

2006-01-03
Ideal for stupid people who are interested in home maintenance.

very good...

2005-04-05
i'm looking forward to owning my first home after reading this. i'll be applying well over 50% of what i've read here.

Somewhat helpful, yet still disappointing

2003-10-20
Having a house can be a hassle. But thanks to timesaving, trouble-preventing strategies from these nationally recognized experts, now anyone can keep his or her palace in regal repair and have plenty of time left over for the fox hunts. This friendly book covers everything from plumbing to painting, with handy calendars to ensure nothing falls through the cracks -- including the cracks!

I think I must be too dumb.

2002-04-04
The authors assume way too much reader knowledge for this to be a true guide for dummies. Also, the For Dummies format does not allow for much illustration. So a lot of what they describe goes way over my head. It does help me understand what I need to say when I call a pro. That's actually a big help for one as home-maintenance-challenged as I. Don Aslett's excellent books are more my speed, though he does tend to write the same book over and over again.

Very helpful indeed

2002-01-26
The chapters are organized by area of the house (outside, inside, appliances, etc.) and really pack a good amount of advice and tips in each. As another reviewer said, there are recipes for your own cleaning solutions (deck cleaners, floor cleaners) that work really well (our deck was in rough shape). The maintenance schedule in the back is also handy. This was our first home and having this book was such a help. I've read it and keep referring to it!

Exactly What I Wanted

2001-07-16
The brothers Carey hit the nail on the head (no pun intended). Clear suggestions and illustrations and a maintenance schedule to try to aspire to.

Home Maintenance for Dummies

2000-08-22
WOW! Who knew all the maintenance a house needs? The cleaning solution recipes are great, safe, and really do the best job. I have been slowly implementing a home maintenance program based solely on this book. It is easy to read and understand. Whether you are a novice or expert in taking care of your home and its appliances, you will learn alot from this book. It is not just about proper cleaning. It is about keeping your house and appliances looking their best and in working order for as long as possible. I give this book as a housewarming gift to all my friends who own a home.