Synopses & Reviews
A home within a home … is there any living arrangement that holds more appeal? Carving out in-law (or other) quarters from an existing home is a win-win any way you look at it — financially, practically, and emotionally. The audience for this book is broad — from the baby boomer caring for elderly parents, or returning kids, to the homeowner who is simply in search of a smart way to help pay the mortgage. It puts a wide range of options out there, including attic conversions, bump-out additions, and even freestanding structures. This book covers every eventuality involved in creating a secondary living space in your home or on your property — from planning and soundproofing to safety and security, even how to deal with damp basements.
Synopsis
Bubbling paint. Water dripping from light fixtures. Mysterious smells. Groaning pipes and gurgling tubs. Doors that open themselves. Faucets that spew steam. Your house is trying to tell you something. But to understand what its trying to say and what you should do about it, first you have to learn its language. And thats what House Check is all about.
Its a concise guide to the sights, surfaces, sounds -- and sometimes smells -- of your house. With this guide, you can quickly figure out whats causing those odd symptoms and what, in a nutshell, you should do to set things right. The information in this chart is based on thousands of houses that authors Michael Litchfield and Roger Robinson reviewed -- from Vermont to California.
This easy-to-use flip chart is organized by major sections and systems in the house: roofs, attics, interiors, exteriors, plumbing, electrical, kitchens, baths, and basements. Over 600 symptoms are listed, with causes and solutions for each. The photos aid in the identification of symptoms and the drawings help you understand the underlying structures involved in the problem. With the information in this handy guide, you will be well on your way to solving those elusive house ailments.
Synopsis
An illustrated handbook for any house problem, in a handy flip-chart format
Synopsis
With a handy flip-chart format, this easy-to-use spiral-bound handbook for the home lists more than 600 common house problems, with causes and solutions for each. 30 color photos. 36 illustrations.
About the Author
Michael Litchfield has been renovating houses or writing about them for more than 40 years. During that time he has been a founding editor of Fine Homebuilding magazine, the author of 12 acclaimed books on home design and renovation, and editor of a CNET/Yahoo! Gold Star home improvement site. He is also a certified green building professional. Michael McAlister is a licensed electrician, C-10 Electrical Contractor, and B General Building Contractor in California and is currently Division Manager-San Francisco for Sprig Electric. He has worked in a design/build capacity in single-family residential, multi-family high density residential, commercial TI, biotech, high-tech, manufacturing, and alternative energy. He lives with his wife and two sons in San Francisco.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Is an In-law Unit Right for You…
Chapter 2: Designing In-laws
Chapter 3: Choosing Appliances and Materials
Chapter 4: Planning and Building
Chapter 5: Basement In-laws
Chapter 6: Garage Conversions
Chapter 7: Stand-alone In-laws
Chapter 8: Bump-outs, Carve-outs, and Attics
Afterword
Appendices/Resources
Index