Reading List before embarking on a do-er-upper.

[Thromdimbulator]

Can anyone help? I'm noticing that neglected houses are appearing on the market again around our way (the sort of places that just used to be snapped up by developers without even being advertised). We're looking for a home and I'm considering whether we should be putting in offers for any of these, but am totally green in terms of judging the expense and effort of renovation. Can anyone recommend useful books that can help?

Many thanks.

[DisparityCausesInstability]

Housebuilder's Bible available from the library was excellent for costings.

[Thromdimbulator]

Thank you. Amazon reviews are positive too. Did you do it and live to tell the tale then?

Any others?

[barbarapym]

Sarah Beeny's Developer's Bible is surprisingly good - aimed at slightly different audience obviously but good on realistic costing, planning and what to look for etc

[DisparityCausesInstability]

About to embark on it - but we did proper costings using the Bible and that really helped with choosing between builder's quotes because we understood what was realistic provisionals costs (PC's) and what was kept deliberately low in an attempt to look like a cheap quote. It also helps with understanding the impact of decisons on the rest of the build - it's easier to stay on top of the finances, when we choose items we plug them into the master spreadsheet and know the consequences sooner rather than later - it encourages you to be a bit more sensible.

[greenlotus]

A great book if you are going to DIY is the Collins DIY manual. I lost count of the late nights we had with it open at the page for repairing stairs or hanging wallpaper or fitting a door lock, it has detailed instructions for everything. Even has a waterproof cover!

[Thromdimbulator]

Yes, I think we have that one. I guess it's time I stopped dismissing it as a boys' book and got stuck-in!