Tips & Traps for Hiring a Contractor (Tips & Traps)

Download Description

DON'T GET RIPPED OFF WHEN HIRING A CONTRACTOR! DO GET THE RESULTS YOU WANT, AT A FAIR PRICE! You can avoid being a victim of unscrupulous contractors with this homeowner-empowering guide from one of the most respected figures in construction. R. Dodge Woodson, a 30-year contracting veteran and the author of many books in the field, makes it simple to learn how to sort the competent professionals from the con artists who want your business; how to get the best possible deal on the work you want done; and how to work successfully with contractors through every stage, from planning to final payment In addition, by using the insider's information in this book, you can make expert decisions on quality, materials, and costs. Packed with features designed to make it easy for homeowners to use, this guide helps you-- Screen and hire honest, skilled home improvement professionals Spot and eliminate "bad apples" BEFORE you sign anything Make the bidding process work for you Negotiate effectively Get all the necessary details in writing Estimate costs, with easy-to-use charts on labor and materials Understand plans and specifications Choose materials to be used in your addition, remodeling job, or maintenance project Understand the tradeoffs in site, design, planning, and maintenance options Make sound on-the-spot decisions Keep your contractor on the straight and narrow -- on time and on budget Create a punch list FILLED WITH DOLLAR SAVING TOOLS FOR THE HOMEOWNER Sample checklists, forms, and contracts make it easier to handle every aspect of your home improvement projects. Highlighted tips and traps help you avoid money pits. Even if you have no prior experience with construction, remodeling, or professional home maintenance, this book can help you get your jobs done right -- at the right cost!

Customer Reviews:

Over my head.......2007-01-03

Lots of detail and mostly easy to read, but some important terminology and practices are not explained that a 1st timer would not know.

Read this book before remodeling your home!.......2006-02-04

I'm so glad I got a chance to read this informative book before starting the renovation of our home!

The author is clearly an expert in this field and goes into detail in every aspect of the process, with the bottom line of making the consumer a savvy, discerning shopper. The author covers all angles of the contracting process, from making the plans and specifications, to hiring a contractor, to what forms are needed to be filled out. I learned about how to spot a shady contractor; how to get things in writing - especially specific time frames; how to make sure the contractor has a physical address and telephone number, and much, much, more.

The eye-opener of this book was the lien waiver. Unbeknownst to me, if a disagreement occurs with a contractor, and I do not pay, they can place a lien on the property! The lien waiver releases the property from the threat of a lien. The author has a sample copy of what a lien waiver looks like.

This book is a must for any homeowner thinking of remodeling/renovating their home! I recommend it highly.

An excellent guide to handling contractors.......2005-06-06

Avoid falling prey to unscrupulous contractors with a guide authored by a 30-year contracting veteran and the author of many other titles on the topic. Tips & Traps For Hiring A Contractor: Expert Advice On Hiring A Contractor Without Getting Taken covers all the basics, from the initial screening of home-improvement professionals to eliminating the bad ones before signing anything, negotiating effectively, understanding contracts and agreements, and even understanding design, planning and maintenance options. An excellent guide to handling contractors, no matter what the job.

Average customer rating:
Handpainted Gifts for All Occasions: 29 Quick & Easy Projects
Kerry Trout
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Painting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

From Flea Market to Fabulous

Painting Holiday Treasures: Inspirations from Christmas Past

How to Design Your Own Painting Projects (Decorative Painting)

Handpainting Your Furniture

A Very Merry Handpainted Christmas

ASIN: 1581804261

Book Description

This book presents 25 acrylic projects that not only celebrate the seasons, holidays and family occasions, but most can be painted in an afternoon or less on inexpensive, easy-to-find surfaces. This makes them ideal for gift giving or for use as home décor during holidays and festive family gatherings such as birthdays and weddings.

Readers who need to come up with a gift ideas quickly can simply follow the easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step photos. There are no difficult painting techniques to master and the necessary materials can be found at any art and craft store. Each project includes complete drawings, patterns, materials lists and color swatch charts that ensure complete success.

Projects include:
*Valentine's Day-a candy dish embellished with red roses
*Winter-a white rabbit and a tiny red bird on a dark metal firewood bucket
*Spring/Easter-a table runner painted with tulips and daffodils
*Mother's Day-sprays of flowers on a white linen decorator pillow
*Father's Day-a simple landscape scene on a wooden keepsake box
*New Baby-a small white lamp and shade painted with delicate pastel butterflies
*Halloween-a wooden ironing board with scarecrow, pumpkins and other fall motifs
*Christmas-a variety of handpainted ornaments and gift tags
*And much more!

Customer Reviews:

Even One Helmut Newton photograph..........2002-08-29

is worth a thousand words. He just has that magic!

very big pants.......2001-08-10

Helmut newton. yuk! just another glossy athena, teenage poster loving fantasty's of an old man who should know better. How he ever managed to worm this tat into the art world i will never know. The equilvent of man holding kitten. yuk! avoid avoid avoid

Female Dominance in Sexual Symbolism.......2001-02-07

"My women are always victorious." -- Helmut Newton

This collection of Helmut Newton's work casts a special focus on his harder edge images of women as sexually domineering and manipulative. Among the fetishes and voyeuristic images are some wonderful portraits of women, as well. The book is an interesting study in how strongly the personality of the model can be injected into a portrait, especially by the objects chosen, the setting, and the way clothes are worn. The essays do an excellent job of developing your understanding of his methods.

Before going further, please be aware that these images contain much female nudity in sexual situations and one male nude. If these images were in a motion picture, some would undoubtedly go beyond an "R" rating. Many of these images are not appropriate for children, in my view.

Many people think of Helmut Newton as a fashion photographer. These images focus instead on the timelessness of the female personality and role in "overcoming the other." "The clothes . . . only have one purpose: to insufficiently conceal the long, slender female bodies . . . [which] lack innocence." In each case, the women are "defiant."

I found his more playful images, rather than his darker side, the most rewarding. I especially liked "Sie Kommon" where the same scene is done first as dressed and then as naked. It is a stunning set of facing pages. In many other images, he appears in the photograph while taking it. Yet in other cases, the model is juxtaposed against a background object that creates a moderately sexual joke.

I graded the book down one star for overrepresenting the sexual dominance theme at the expense of Newton's other styles, since this is a "best of" book by its title. The sexual dominance images are often highly repetitive, and sometimes not particularly appealing in any way -- even as abstract compositions.

Here are my favorites in the book:

British "Vogue", London 1967 (images 3 and 4)

Tan Giudirelli for Mic-Mac, Paris 1970

French "Vogue", Paris 1975

"Sie Kommon", Dressed and Naked 1981

Jodie Foster, Hollywood 1987 (jacket cover image)

Leni Riefenstahl, near Munich 1992

Big Nude II, Paris 1980

Study for Voyeurism, Los Angeles 1989

Helmut Berger, Beverly Hills 1984

Skull and diamond necklace, Paris 1979

Andy Warhol, Paris 1974

Crocodile eating ballerina, Wuppertai 1983

After you enjoy this book, think about what you believe about women that makes these images work or not work well for you. Where do you detect "truth" and where does the image seem "made up" to you? In particular, is life this sexually tinted?

Then imagine how you would have to change these photographs in order to create feelings of love, peace, and progress. How would you benefit or not benefit from such images as compared to these?

Should the person describing the world have an agenda, or a slant . . . or simply seek to reveal the underlying overall truth that is already there?

Which one of these (if any) is Newton doing?

Overcome your stalled thinking that what you see is literally what it seems to be. This book will help you with that.

Wow..........2000-03-31

Don't believe the nay sayers. These are stunning photos and shoots of the so called "big nudes", the celebrities and the notorious from the fifties to the eighties. A pictorial history like no other, drenched in helmut newton's decadent/art-nouveau style, it has jaw dropping scenarios with beautiful models. Like I said elsewhere, Leibowitz, Ritts, Scavullo, helmut newton. They will open your senses...

The Best of...?.......1999-05-15

The title "Best of..." reminds me of something cheezy in the audio world, but in this case as well as this book. I can't believe Helmut Newton would agree to publish this kind of quality (or lack of). This book looks like earlier works that were hacked from the cut or an porfolio deemed unworthy for professional world. Sorry, "The Best of..." just isn't.

The Best of Helmut Newton: Selections From His Photographic Work (Schirmer Art Books on Art, Photography & Erotics)

Average customer rating:

Nice book

The Best of Helmut Newton: Selections From His Photographic Work (Schirmer Art Books on Art, Photography & Erotics)
Zdenek Felix
Manufacturer: Schirmer/Mosel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 3888146356

Book Description

Helmut Newton's best photographic work from the 1960's to the 1990's traveled around Europe in a major retrospective in 1993. The catalogue of that show has now run to a 4th edition. It contains all the icons of Newton's special fields of interest including fashion, nudes, portraits as well as works for which he became world famous - the sensational fashion photos for the British magazine Vogue, Liz Taylor with a parrot in a swimming pool, Helmut Berger naked at his fireplace, Helmut Kohl with a German oak, Salvador Dali on an IV drip, the "Big Nudes" and some of his later macabre wax figures… Newton was a genius for not being blinded by the glamour and the masquerade of pretence that were prevalent in the world in which he lived. On the contrary, he illuminated and exposed that world with bright lights and displayed it in brilliant photographs which contain much more than they show.

Customer Reviews:

Nice book .......2007-05-25

Decent printing of a nice choice of photographs.
If you like Hemut Newton's work, you will enjoy it.

Book Description

The Bible is a serious book, but internationally syndicated cartoonist Leigh Rubin is able to extract some side-splitting humor from some of our favorite Bible stories.

Consider:• What did Adam and EveÂ's hamper look like?• How did Methuselah react at his two hundred year high school reunion?• How did Moses almost ruin his job interview with God?

These are but a few of the hilarious cartoon stories that "might have been" in this collection of over 140 of Leigh RubinÂ's best Bible-themed cartoons.

Customer Reviews:

Cute & Funny!.......2000-06-01

Here's a great little book full of funnies--good, clean funnies for kids that will keep them in stitches! Very enjoyable to read, the pictures are nice & large, & the print also is a nice, large size which makes it easy to read. I highly recommend this book for kids of all ages!

Book Description

If you don't teach your kids about sex, Bevis and Butthead will. Let one of the most respected Christian couples of our time help you respond without embarrassment to questions from boys or girls on any aspect of sexual development.

Customer Reviews:

Good practical advice for believers.......2004-03-10

If you do not believe that adultry, fornication, and sexual fantasies about those other than a spouse are sins, then this book is not for you. If you think they may be sins, but you are not sure, this book is not for you [In that case, I recommend "Not Even a Hint" and "Every Young Man's Battle"].
This book is for those who already know these activities to be sin and want some practical advice on how to keep their children from falling into these sins. It is not heavily supported by scientific research, but is based on common sense observation by the authors, who do not hide their opinions.

Of particular value are the sections on what girls and boys need to know about each other. For example, this book lets girls know what effect they have on boys when they do not dress modestly. Also a plus is that it covers children of all ages.

Bullplop!.......2002-09-14

This book was hilarious! If you're looking for a good laugh I wholeheartedly recommend it. These people sure got the Religious Right's act down pat! My favorite part was when they referred to menarche as "a girl's first painful female cramps". Man, that's killer!

Offers truthful Biblical perspective.......2002-06-04

As God created sex to be performed only in the act of marriage, this book teaches clear Biblical principals. It offers a great timeline of when to speak to your kids about the changes that will occur in them and talks about the dangers than can lead to sexual sin. It is an excellent book for Christian parents who desire for their children to enjoy sex in the sanctity of marriage the way God intended.

Excellent! Very Helpful.......2000-10-12

This book was an answer to prayer for me and my husband. It has wonderful guidelines for dating that helped us establish rules for our children that we all can live with. It gives practical down to earth information that our sons and daughters need to know about the opposite sex. I am very thankful that I bought this book before I read the negative reviews other people had written. If your are looking for help to get you through the dating years of your children with wisdom, I highly recommend this book. As a matter of fact I recommend it to all my friends who have children, young or old.

Excellent Book How to avoid sexual sin.......2000-09-04

This book says it all as a guide for parents on telling them that Pre-marital sex is a sin. The Bible DOES say to abstain from sexual immorality. This book is a guide on how to teach your children the PROPER methods of dating, courtship, and abstinence. I cannot see why this book got such poor reviews.

Some of the things other reviewers said about this book are lies.

It is VERY important for Christian parents to give their children a proper Christian upbringing

If there was a book like this 20 years ago, and it was made required reading in all Christian schools and encouraged reading at public schools, teenage pregnancy would likely be nonexistant today in civilized US society

Book Description

Steven Muhlberger breaks new ground with a new book on Medieval tournaments in the 14th century by translating and analyzing the writings of a knight who knew his way around the tournament field.

Sir Geoffroi de Charny, the famous 14th century knight who rose thruogh his prowess to become one of the most highly regarded chivalric men of his age also brought the Shroud of Turin to Europe and perished carrying the famous Oriflamme at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. His "Questions" on the Joust, Tournaments and War--translated here for the first time into English- and accompanied with a penetrating analysis, promises to become a critical resource for students of medieval chivalry and tournametns of the later Middle Ages.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic if this is what your after........2004-02-17

I must say that I LOVE this book, but that's because I'm very much in to chivalric culture (especially of the 14thC!) I don't know how wide an appeal such a specific book has, but for those who have some background understanding of this topic and still can't get enough; your in for a treat...

Book Description

The Earliest English Kings is a sweeping and thorough overview of Anglo-Saxon History from the sixth century to the eighth century and the death of King Alfred. Kirby explains and explores the 'Heptarchy' or the seven kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England, as well as the various peoples within them, wars, religion, King Offa, and the coming of the Vikings.

In this completely revidsed edition, the author brings this classic book up to date to reflect on current findings on this line of rulers. With maps and family trees, this book reveals the complex, distant and tumultuous events of Anglo-Saxon politics.

David Kriby held a personal chair in History at the University of Whales, Aberystwyth and is now retired. He is the author of The Making of Early England and is co-author of A Bibliographical Dictionary of Dark Age Britain

Download Description

A fascinating survey of Anglo-Saxon history from the sixth century to the eighth century and the death of King Alfred. This book reveals the complex, distant and tumultuous events of Anglo-Saxon politics.

Average customer rating:

The Earliest English Kings
D.P. Kirby
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GR5IQS

Average customer rating:

The Laws Of The Earliest English Kings

Manufacturer: Lawbook Exchange
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Law | Subjects | Books

Legal History | Perspectives on Law | Law | Subjects | Books

Non-US Legal Systems | Perspectives on Law | Law | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 1584775831

Book Description

Attenborough, F.L., Editor and Translator. The Laws of the Earliest English Kings. Cambridge: University Press, 1922. xi, 256 pp. Reprint available March 2006 by The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. ISBN-13: 978-1-58477-583-6. ISBN-10: 1-58477-583-1. Cloth. $85. * The most impressive contribution to the bibliography of Anglo-Saxon legal sources since Thorpe and Liebermann, this edition contains the texts of the Kentish laws, the laws of Ine and Alfred the Great, treaties with the Danes, and the laws of Edward the Elder and Aethelstan. The texts are in Anglo-Saxon with English translations. (Latin texts are used if the Anglo-Saxon originals were lost.) "Mr. Attenborough has done a very useful work in providing a critical translation of the Anglo-Saxon dooms for English-speaking students who are unable, or do not go far enough to find it needful, to make use of Liebermann's great and apparently final edition. Not that advanced scholars can afford to neglect Mr. Attenborough, for he shows himself fully capable of independent judgement and makes many observations deserving their attention": Frederick Pollock, Law Quarterly Review 38 (1922) 511.

Average customer rating:

The Earliest English Kings
D. P. Kirby
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEDX4M

The English classics;: A historical sketch of the literature of England from the earliest times to the accession of King George III

Average customer rating:

The English classics;: A historical sketch of the literature of England from the earliest times to the accession of King George III
Richard Malcolm Johnston
Manufacturer: University Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

A guide to English history: Being a brief abstract of the reigns of the English kings : from the earliest period to the present time

Average customer rating:

A guide to English history: Being a brief abstract of the reigns of the English kings : from the earliest period to the present time
M. A Allison
Manufacturer: F. Skill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Average customer rating:

The Laws of the Earliest English Kings.
F. L., ed. Attenborough
Manufacturer: Russell & Russell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N2JFH4

Book Description

Dovring explores the limits of science as causes of ignorance. Some topics examined in these essays are problems with our ways of "knowing" and the impact of emotion on objectivity. He argues that reality consists of designs--of things and processes. While most designs we might think of cannot exist, those that can exist add up to a "tool box of creation" which contains the detailed laws of nature, many of them synergisms. Reality must conform to this "web of necessities," hence the danger of unchecked "virtual reality." These lines of thought are then applied to evolution as creation and history. In a final essay, Dovring explores topics upon which science should concentrate. This book will be of interest to scientists as well as the lay public interested in the theory of science and questions of truth and faith.

Knowledge and Ignorance: Essays on Lights and Shadows

Average customer rating:

Knowledge and Ignorance: Essays on Lights and Shadows
Folke Dovring
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORQIG4

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books