BOOKS
BOOKS
Restoring a cheap old house on a budget? Questioning where to start, what to toss as rubbish, what to rescue, what to restore, and what to replace? Renovation can can be challenging, but fortunately many resources are out there to help us do justice to our “perfect” historic fixer upper!
Style Identification
A FIELD GUIDE TO AMERICAN HOUSES (Revised): THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO IDENTIFYING AND UNDERSTANDING AMERICA’S DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE by VIRGINIA SAVAGE MCALESTER
Every old house owner should have this definitive reference book in their library. Called “the unmatched, essential guide to American houses,” this invaluable reference features a loads of photos, illustrations and descriptions. A Field Guide to American Houses will quickly help you identify and understand the architectural style and characteristics of your own house, as well as those in your neighborhood.
AMERICAN HOUSE STYLES BY JOHN BAKER
Well-written by a master architect, after reading this American House Styles, you will start to see your town with new eyes and richer understanding!
Restoration and Renovating
Restoring Your Historic House: The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners by Scott T. Hanson
Restoring Your Historic House is not your typical DIY book. Instead of repeating how to do plumbing, electrical and construction work in the usual fashion, it goes into detail on how to adapt those DIY skills to the specialized needs of an old house.
The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs: The Investor’s Guide to Defining Your Renovation Plan, Building Your Budget, and Knowing Exactly How Much It All Costs (Fix-and-Flip, 2) by J. Scott
Not everyone who who buys an old house is into historic preservation. For those who are, The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs will give a great idea on the costs involved. For those who are flippers, this book may serve you even better.
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