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Make It Right: Kitchens and Bathrooms
Anyone who has planned a renovation project knows that there are many, often difficult, decisions to make along the way. As Canada’s most trusted contractor, Mike has seen the good, the bad and the ugly. He provides expert advice in all aspects of planning and completing the most common renovation projects so homeowners will
know what’s possible: design and planning considerations, including advice on building green learn the basics: structural considerations, permits and potential challenges hire right: finding the right people for the job choose the right materials: comprehensive guide to flooring, cabinets, etc., to help you make the best choices (which aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones) understand cost and timelines: getting and understanding estimates and how long it’s going to take oversee the job properly: how to ensure the renovation is done right, including step-by-step photographs of correct installationPacked with colour photographs, illustrations and sidebars, these two new Make It Right™ books will help ensure homeowners avoid costly mistakes and get their renovation right the first time.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
13 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 2, 2013
I absolutely love Mike Holmes so I was very excited to read this book. My husband and I don't agree on a lot when it comes to tv shows but Holmes' shows are some of the few that we can agree on to watch together. My husband is very handy while I am not really but Holmes does a really good job of giving information that is useful to both the handy and the un-handy alike and I definitely appreciate that. His good, no nonsense advice extends to this book.
Out of all of the home renovation projects you could choose to do, I think some of the most difficult are probably kitchens and bathrooms. You have so much to think about besides aesthetics that it can be very overwhelming. Last year, we bought our first house and it's quite old (we have papers on it dating back to 1892) so needless to say, we have a lot of upgrade projects that we want to do in the future, including our kitchen. I know that this book is going to be endlessly helpful for us as my husband is planning to do most of the work himself (a huge undertaking to be sure!).
Holmes breaks down what you need to think about into simple questions that are very accessible to just about anyone. Some of the questions are things that we had already thought about but others are questions that didn't jump out at me right away. Reno projects are often more than just making things pretty. You have to think about everything behind the walls and under the floor too. Holmes goes through things to force the homeowner to think through everything step by step.
This book uses a lot of pictures to show the right way and wrong way to do things. I thought the pictures showing the wrong way to do things were very helpful. On the surface, the pictures look nice until Holmes starts pointing out what he would hone in on. Some of those pictures were incredibly eye opening.
There are a couple sections of the book that were a little repetitive (Holmes' discussion of stove hoods were sprinkled through big sections of the books) but overall, I really liked how this book was laid out.
Overall, I know this book is going to be a great resource for us as we embark on some of our own home reno projects. If only Holmes could tell us how you make money quickly in order to do all of these projects!!!
Out of all of the home renovation projects you could choose to do, I think some of the most difficult are probably kitchens and bathrooms. You have so much to think about besides aesthetics that it can be very overwhelming. Last year, we bought our first house and it's quite old (we have papers on it dating back to 1892) so needless to say, we have a lot of upgrade projects that we want to do in the future, including our kitchen. I know that this book is going to be endlessly helpful for us as my husband is planning to do most of the work himself (a huge undertaking to be sure!).
Holmes breaks down what you need to think about into simple questions that are very accessible to just about anyone. Some of the questions are things that we had already thought about but others are questions that didn't jump out at me right away. Reno projects are often more than just making things pretty. You have to think about everything behind the walls and under the floor too. Holmes goes through things to force the homeowner to think through everything step by step.
This book uses a lot of pictures to show the right way and wrong way to do things. I thought the pictures showing the wrong way to do things were very helpful. On the surface, the pictures look nice until Holmes starts pointing out what he would hone in on. Some of those pictures were incredibly eye opening.
There are a couple sections of the book that were a little repetitive (Holmes' discussion of stove hoods were sprinkled through big sections of the books) but overall, I really liked how this book was laid out.
Overall, I know this book is going to be a great resource for us as we embark on some of our own home reno projects. If only Holmes could tell us how you make money quickly in order to do all of these projects!!!
August 19, 2012
A solid overview of what to look for when rehabbing a kitchen or bathroom. Very much in the style that he presents on his TV shows. The most useful advice is his surface choices for flooring, tile and countertops. He describes each material incorporating maintenance, longevity, cost, and mold - even sustainability. The information is summarized at the end of sections for quick review and comparisons. He presents these lists differently for kitchens and bathrooms.
Overall, there's a lot of good general information that would allow a homeowner to speak with confidence to a contractor or start selecting materials.
This is not a How-To book. There is no information on installation. He does briefly mention Ditra, heated flooring, and high quality ventilation. But nothing is so specific that you'd have a recipe for the innards and underlayment of your project.
I would have liked more discussion of the in the wall guts for kitchens and baths. Vapor membranes and good fittings are discussed, but not with much depth.
The calculations for lighting allowances are also useful and presented in a way that make sense.
Definitely a good, easy read to get you thinking about the right way to a renovation project.
Overall, there's a lot of good general information that would allow a homeowner to speak with confidence to a contractor or start selecting materials.
This is not a How-To book. There is no information on installation. He does briefly mention Ditra, heated flooring, and high quality ventilation. But nothing is so specific that you'd have a recipe for the innards and underlayment of your project.
I would have liked more discussion of the in the wall guts for kitchens and baths. Vapor membranes and good fittings are discussed, but not with much depth.
The calculations for lighting allowances are also useful and presented in a way that make sense.
Definitely a good, easy read to get you thinking about the right way to a renovation project.
May 6, 2013
MIKE HOLMES:KITCHENS & BATHROOMS:EXPERT IDEAS AND GREAT ADVICE by Mike Holmes is an interesting Do-It-Yourself/How-to&Home Improvements.Filled with beautiful pictures,details,information and how to do it ideas. It is chalked full of his ideas,with "What you see" and "What I see,Mike Holmes", he is the professional after all. I found it is not a "poor man's" renovations guidebook. I love the pictures! A wonderful "wish book"! But now you must understand I am not a professional. A professional would be able to use his information and ideas. To me,it is something you would find in a Doctor's office waiting room to use to kill time. With that said, if you are professional or a more developed do-it-yourself person than I am, it would be a great and useful tool. It would be worth your money to purchase. Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 3
HEAT RATING: NONE(HOME IMPROVEMENTS)
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,(Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More)
RATING: 3
HEAT RATING: NONE(HOME IMPROVEMENTS)
REVIEWED BY: AprilR,(Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More)
November 29, 2021
In a former life when I had cable TV (all hail, HGTV) I adored the "Holmes on Homes" show. He was a guy who knew his stuff, was not afraid of getting dirty, and knew that any job worth doing was worth doing right. So apply that ethos to a book on ideas and advice for remodeling (or totally overhauling) the kitchen or bathroom in your house, and this is a helpful book. My absolute favorite part were the photos with little balloons that juxtaposed "What you see" with "What I [Mike Holmes] see." It was like having a short little conversation with him. It should come as no shock that he provides some terrific advice on questions to ask when interviewing contractors and logistics for things to include in your contract. He's also brutally candid about mistakes the home owner often makes in not being a good client. It's a great resource for anyone undertaking a big remodeling project--whether it's a kitchen, bathroom, home office, or any other sort of project. And at $21.95 it'll pay for itself in the grief and time it will save you.
March 28, 2013
a really great book full of good advice and very easy to understand what he is talking about. he has a lot of tips and helps you understand what to expect and ask for during a reno. he helps you know pros and cons of different materials to help you decide what to use as well.
September 12, 2017
If you read one book on renovating your kitchen and bath, this should be the one! Packed full of important information, questions to ask contractors (and yourself), ideas, and beautiful glossy photographs. Mike Holmes is the BOSS!
February 8, 2011
preachy, but that's his style; most helpful in stating what options he would not choose
May 20, 2014
Another Great Book of tips by Mike Holmes focussed on Kitchens and Bathrooms. Will use his tips in an upcoming reno.
January 31, 2014
Decent primer with less whining about other's work than in Holmes Inspection.
January 13, 2017
I appreciated examples of rooms with the authors potential concerns -- points out what home owners may gloss over. Good tips on flooring & countertops. On the whole, good photos and tips.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews