The Tuff Chix Guide to Easy Home Improvement

by Paige Hemmis

A fun and helpful guide for aspiring handywomen

For every woman who wants to take home repair matters into her own hands, The Tuff Chix Guide to Easy Home Improvement is here to help. Paige Hemmis shares the tricks of her trade in this how-to book written especially for aspiring handywomen. Avoiding the dull, dry tone of typical instruction manuals, Hemmis provides accessible and easy-to-follow instructions on every aspect of home repair, complete with illustrations and helpful "Tuff Tips."

Learn how to:
* Fix cracks of every kind
* Fix sticky doors
* Repair windows of all sizes
* Fix malfunctioning toilets
* Hang curtain rods

Whether you�re fixing a deadbolt, replacing wall switches, or unplugging the kitchen sink, The Tuff Chix Guide to Easy Home Improvement is the one book you need to get the job done.

From the Introduction:
"Whenever I started a project, I wanted to know how hard it would be for a novice like me, what tools I would need, how much I had to buy from the hardware store, how long it would take and, finally, how much it would be to just hire someone else to do it. So… I�m passing this along to you…

This book is designed for anyone who wants to improve his or her surroundings in ways small and large. It�s everything I wish I�d had when I started… You don�t have to read this book from cover to cover. Use it as your road map. This book is designed to make your life easier, save you a little money, and give you the tools you need to take care of yourself."

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Paige Kristina Huff-Hemmis is an American television host, author, and entrepreneur best known for her role on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, where she was part of the core team from 2003 to 2012. Born in Wisconsin and raised in California, she holds a degree in Psychology and Theology from UC Santa Barbara. Before her television career, Hemmis worked in real estate and wedding planning, later founding Tuff Chix, Inc., a brand of tools designed for women. She is the author of The Tuff Chix Guide to Easy Home Improvement and has been involved with causes such as Habitat for Humanity and the Starkey Hearing Foundation. A mental health advocate, she was honored by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance for her openness about her struggles with depression. Hemmis is married to Jason Short and continues to inspire with her work in media, design, and wellness.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for everyone (girl or guy) who is intimidated by home maintenance and repair. I like Hemmis's approach of defining things, rating how hard each project is, and how long it will take. Plus, she always gives guidelines on what to expect if you hire a professional for the job.
Like another reviewer wrote, the true test of the book will be the day I use it for an actual home repair, but even her walk-thru of a house -- finding the circuit breakers, for example -- was information I can use right away.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The real test of this book will be when I actually use it to complete some projects around the house, which I haven't done yet. Still, it's packed with good info - even if I never get together the DIY mojo to replace my own grout or paint a room, I'll know what to expect when hiring a professional to do it. And the list of seasonal household maintenance tasks is worth the purchase price alone.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to read and to give as a gift to the special woman - the one who is a Tuff Chick.
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.

[Shelton TRL]

A good guide for things needed to get done around the house...and who said your needed a HandyMan around