Reddit mentions: The best home improvement guides

For specific topics (electrical, plumbing, etc) I really liked the clear explanations and illustrations in the black and decker home improvement books when I was starting out. Use Amazon's look inside and see what you think of the electrical book - https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Guide-Wiring-ebook/dp/B00K4SEXLK. The other thing I'd note is that for the stuff the average homeowner wants to do, it is not complex work. You can do it. My friends won't touch electricity but I think it is the easiest thing to work on. Stuff like laying tile, easy. Next time you are in a public space look at the tile work. Really look. Most work looks like a complete amateur did it. The point being, since it is your house, you'll do a much much better job. Oh, one final point. Like the tile example, your work won't be cosmetically perfect. Nobody will notice. That tiny little nick, bump, scrape, not perfect 90-degree corner - do the best you can and then leave it. Only you will know it is there. If you really look at you own house (again really look), you see walls that are not straight, tricks with molding hide cosmetic issues and gaps. Youtube is great for fixing appliances. Somebody has probably had your same problem on the exact same equipment and posted a video repair. It's saved me tons of money.

You mention lumber storage. So you're apparently at least a little handy?

Build your own! Sheds are easy and cheap. I am confident that your materials cost will be a lot less than the Tuff Shed. I used this book: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Shed-Tauntons-Build-Like/dp/1561589667 and built one with a circular saw, drill, and only a modicum of experience (I got 200 sqft, sorry about your zoning.) Miscellaneous thoughts:

• The transport and assembly is most of the cost. Your local lumberyard is close, and you can use a hammer and drill.
  
• With a budget shed, the hardware will be flimsier than the cheapest stuff you can find at the box store.
  
• Pour a slab if at all possible. It's just the best foundation by a long shot. With concrete, it's an asset when you sell. Otherwise, ground-contact 4x6 are as good as metal for a lot longer than you're going to use it.
  
• It's easy to build triangle rafters that can span the 10' or 8' of your shed.
  
• Build in ridge and soffit venting. The turbines aren't that great.
  
• Wall the interior with painted plywood or OSB. Mount anything anywhere!
  
• Build in conduit, or just wire in outlets, ceiling boxes, switches, and a sub-panel. Even if that is just plugged into an extension cord for now, it's a lot easier now than later.
  
• Add a drain with cap for a utility sink if that's even a distant possibility. $10 in PVC now can save you a lot of cement work later.
  
• Add more light than you think you need. Likewise outlets.
  
• Think about shelving and storage when laying out windows and doors. Every inch of wall space is valuable!
  
• Metal roofing is good stuff. Works great for exterior walls too!
  
• Size your ceiling joists so you can hang stuff from them, because you will.
  
  Note: I live in the frozen North and have no issues with termites. A metal shed is nice if you do.

First off, why do you need to replace the box? Are there not enough circuits? Do you have knob and tube wiring? I don't really have a ballpark cost estimate, but it doesn't cost anything to have estimates.

As for doing it yourself, I find that electrical work isn't necessarily as bad as people make it out to be (my DIY hell is plumbing waste lines) as long as you're careful. The number one rule is to always assume that the lines are live and to double check with a tester (they come in all shapes, sizes, and costs including ones that detect a current through the wiring insulation) before touching wires with anything that could conduct electricity. Your best bet is to head to your local DIY home center (e.g. Lowe's, Home Depot, or Menard's) and pick up one of the DIY electrical books (the Black and Decker books are pretty easy to follow. If you really want to cut costs as much as possible, there's a resource that many people forget about and that's their local public library. Most public libraries have at least a couple of books about home improvement projects that you can check out for free. As far as codes go, you could call your local building safety department and talk to one of the inspectors about what you should do, but they'll probably encourage you to file for a permit (if necessary) and contact a licensed electrician.

Eau Claire area here. I also build my own. I’d recommend this book https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1612120598/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518417836&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=tony+pisano&dpPl=1&dpID=51hZnlar6KL&ref=plSrch
If you plan to build your own, this helps a lot. A friend of mine has a site for beginners that some others I have mentored have said helped. http://www.outyard.net/. There are some DIY items there, as well as great advise for beginners.

As for wintering, I have about an 80% success rate. The key is to treat for mites, and wrap on time, and put sugar boards out for extra insurance so they don’t starve.

If you’d like to discuss more, feel free to PM me!

Wow, yes, you are indeed in way over your head.

Go old-school. Borrow every book on home electrical repair from your nearest library. Search amazon for home electrical repair books. There are many available used for a dollar or two, especially in home repair book series' from Home Depot or Black & Decker, etc. Example: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Guide-Wiring/dp/1589236017

Read them through, and then read them through again. A 20-year-old home electrical book will not have up-to-date safety code information, but it will at least give you the major concepts and guidelines, and the groundwork for asking more informed and complete questions here.

For outlet issue: an outlet tester is a good first step, but it is only the very simplest tip of the iceberg. There are still all kinds of other things that can be wrong, when the tester shows good. It's like looking at the gas gauge on the car-- tells you if you have gas; doesn't tell you if your transmission is busted.

The outlet tester only tells you if the wires were hooked up in the right order. It doesn't tell you if your circuits have the capacity to run everything you want. Learn about circuit breakers and check the breaker panel for ones that have overloaded and shut off, when the outlet goes out.

Good luck!

I'd say, go to a book store and look for something like this. Obviously, I haven't read this book, but I got something similar on how to finish a basement before taking that on as my first major project, and it gave me the elements I needed to do further research on my own. Have a look around -- I think you'll find that buying a few books at $20 a pop is a sound investment, even if they're not exactly what you're looking for.

The project plan is a pretty advanced step. First you need to figure out what your objective is, and reading a book like this might help you clarify your thinking / see some new possibilities. Chances are, if there is family involved in the decision-making process, you'll have a lot of negotiating to do.

When it comes to building, after you do your demolition, you are essentially going from the outside inwards, finishing the floor as the last step before putting in the trim and furnishings.

Afraid it's a bit hard to give you much more than that, here, though I'd certainly be interested if another redditor has a checklist/workflow that they've made or seen somewhere.

Learn to do things yourself. There will be many things you will need to have done to your home over the course of you owning it. You will save tons of money by doing work yourself. Simple things like swapping out an electrical outlet will take you 10 minutes and cost you less than $5. Calling an electrician on the other hand will cost you at least $100. Plumbing is my favorite. There is so much to be saved with doing your own plumbing.

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I recommend this for any aspiring DIY'er:

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https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Book-Home-How/dp/0760354766/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1536886540&sr=8-8&keywords=home+repair+book

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In general what you want to do sounds okay. There are definitely approved methods for "old work" stuff like this.

(insert usual get a permit, do it legally, etc etc)

I'd recommend you buy something like this and make sure you read through it carefully and check with your city building department, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Wiring-Updated/dp/159186612X

I'm almost done building a 8'x10' lean to in my side yard. I found plans w/ cut sheets and a complete materials list online for less than $10. I've always been handy but have never "built" anything of this magnitude. It's been very, very rewarding. I ran electrical from my house so it'll be powered. I think that with purchasing the additional tools required, and using better materials than Tuff Shed would have, I'll still come in at 1/2 the cost. If you have the time and inclination I'd suggest doing the same. In addition to the online plans, the following book was a great simple reference for the process https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Guide-Sheds/dp/1589236602/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1468884656&sr=8-3&keywords=shed+building.

Things you don't want to replace because of the price tag:

• Roof (about 10K+)
  
• Kitchen Counter-tops (about 2K-10K depending on kitchen size)
  
• Kitchen Cabinets (6K for a small kitchen with cheap cabinets to 18K+ for a 12ft-12ft-12ft kitchen with walls on three sides)
  
• Foundation (a lot, to a whole lot)
  
• Air Conditioner (3K-ish)
  
• Furnace (3K-10K)
  
• Water Heater (1K)
  
• Baseboards ($120+ a small room, about $3 a square foot)
  
  Stab Lok made electrical boxes in the US in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. They don't break-over if there's a fault, and can kill you in a fire.
  
  Some electrical work is pretty easy, but it's still dangerous. If you plan to add electrical and have walls open, you can easily save yourself a ton of money by doing the rough in yourself and have an electrician look at it and say it's good before hooking it up to the breaker box. Black and Decker has a great book: . Their real goal is to sell you tools, but the book is good. Don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with.
  
  Drywalling is easy and drywall and drywall mud are really cheap. Like $6 for a 6 pound bag of dryawall mud. So, don't worry about drywall damage, just replace walls.
  
  Drywall before you move in. Sanding drywall makes a huge mess. You'll be cleaning up the dust for awhile, you don't need upholstered furniture in addition to everything else to clean.
  
  Baseboards and chair rail are expensive. $2 or $3 a foot and higher. It doesn't seem like much, but a 12 x 12 room can cost you $150+ to replace the boards in.
  
  Trees near the house are trouble. Bushes near the house are trouble. You want shade, but not roots breaking through the foundation. Cutting trees and digging out roots is not fun, especially the digging out roots part.
  
  Check that the laundry area actually has hot and cold water.
  
  Be aware a garbage disposal isn't necessarily standard and you may need to add it and an outlet for it.
  
  Electrical tape on wires is bad. If you see exposed wires or junctions with electrical tape over them, it's a sure sign of bad do it yourself electrical work. You probably want a real electrician to look into how bad it is.
  
  Yard care is expensive, especially at first. You'll need a mower and weedeater at least. Be prepared for $400-$800 there.
  
  HUD homes generally have no power/water, etc, so if you're looking at them, just know to dress for outside weather inside. Also, know you may have to replace the meters at a cost of a few hundred. People also take things like toilets and sinks with them when they leave so never, never, never, buy one without looking at it. Never buy any house without looking at it, but double for anything HUD owned. Also, have the power and water and gas turned on for the inspection, it's better to spend the money and know things don't work than to save the $500 and get surprised when it's move in time.
  
  Banks are going to send an appraiser out to the house. If they don't think they can make the loan back mostly by foreclosing and selling the house, they won't lend to you. Trashed houses and HUD owned houses might have a hard time getting financed, so don't 'fall in love with the possibilities'.
  
  Also, a HUD owned house will probably need interior paint even if you don't see it in the pictures 80% of them have strange and scary and bold color walls. Be prepared to need to full on prime and paint.
  
  Also, bad wall paper is going to require you to replace or resurface the walls. It's not a terrible task, but it is a terrible task if the wall is hard to reach like behind a counter or under cabinets. It's not expensive, but it's super terrible. If you can pick at the wallpaper and see if a corner comes up easily (it should have primer underneath it, not the same color as the wall around).

When I first started out with my home I picked up these two books:

Black & Decker Home Repair

and

Black & Decker Home Improvement

They served as great references and overviews for nearly every major challenge I faced in three years and were a great deal more handy than sometimes scattered Internet resources. Strongly suggest you pick up the red book, or they're almost certainly at your local library. They don't explicitly deal with maintenance unfortunately, but I recall them offering up lots of tips on how to maintain things before repairs are needed.

Good luck with your new home!

Haven't read it but the Taunton press is a pretty legit publisher

https://www.amazon.com/Building-Shed-Tauntons-Build-Like/dp/1561589667
YouTube can bring it all together on how to execute operations and selecting and using tools.

Also building codes and construction techniques vary widely depending on where you live and with good reason. Climate, weather, seismic activity etc all determine how a structure needs to be engineered to be safe and long-standing.

There's a book called The BackYard Homestead that gives an intro to some of the things you've mentioned as well as others you might not have considered. Square Foot Gardening is another good resource.

Your state extension office should have a vegetable guide with planting dates. There are also some classes offered this winter on gardening if you prefer that over books.

I'd focus on big things first: trees and fruit and nut bushes, as these give you the most yield but with much less work once they're established. I have a couple pounds of hazelnuts, a few bushels of pears, and a few jars of blackberry jam without having a garden- just a few trees & bushes in my yard.

There are also some easy perennial vegetables like rhubarb and asparagus. Not to mention some herbs that will be perennial in your climate.

As far as animals, make sure you check your township's regulations.

How much land do you have?

I redid all of the outlets and switches in my house when I moved in last year. Many were 50 years old, not grounded, wired unsafely, etc. It feels good to have new, safe outlets and wiring, and know it was done right. I highly suggest the Black & Decker Complete Guide to Wiring if you want to do more projects and learn how to do it right. ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00K4SEXLK?cache=d30d28ef0acb37383205fe68ce906d4d&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1408507310&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1)

Good for you to swap the outlet. :)

It's kind of cheesy, but I have been really happy with books like this and this and this and this.

Isn't the ground wire typically connected to the box itself with the little green screw?

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Wiring-Edition/dp/1589236017

I have the 4th edition to this book, but I'm pretty sure it mentions that you connect ground to the conduit/breakout box.

NINJA EDIT: Yep. Look here

http://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/20351/how-should-i-connect-the-ground-wire-for-my-light-fixture

There are a lot of videos on YouTube that explain how to do things step by step. I watch them a lot when I need to do something new. As well I watch HGTV a lot. I have a couple of books from Home Depot that are fantastic and really break it down. They have a whole series for different projects:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Home-Depot-Home-Improvement-3rd-Edition-with-DVD-0696238500/100677237

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Depot-Outdoor-Projects-1-2-3/dp/0696206730

They will frequently have classes there to teach people some of the basic skills they need at Home Depot as well, I imagine other places might do it too.

There are a lot of really good subreddits for this too. /r/DIY /r/woodworking

When I really started learning I started with projects outside in the yard, then stuff in the basement, then upstairs.

Not much to it, but pretty easy to get yourself killed or burn your house down. I recommend you read a wiring basics book. In a nutshell, you need to run 14/2 with ground to a new 15A breaker.

Here's a good book. You'd only need to read a chapter or two: Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Wiring, Updated 6th Edition: Current with 2014-2017 Electrical Codes (Black & Decker Complete Guide) https://www.amazon.com/dp/159186612X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kjnnzbYY9GS27

I actually got a bunch of books out from the library, but these two were the most useful:

• Building a Shed (Taunton's Build Like a Pro)
  
• Sheds: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders

Yep, I agree completely. Do it right, or don't do it at all. For someone who doesn't want to know everything there is to know about house wiring, this book is a great reference to the basics:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159186612X

If you want to mainly learn about wiring (like in a home) then check out Black & Decker's Complete Guide to Wiring:

http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1589236017

It isn't an EE course by any means, but it will give you practical knowledge someone can use in their life. I read one from Home Depot also, but I liked the B&D one better. Since it's based on home wiring, it's mainly AC.

Here are all the local Amazon links I could find:


amazon.co.uk

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Going to depend on how deep the deck can be. If you have stairs that step down, the better it will be. The cover of this book might help. Actually buying the book, or any book about building a deck, would probably be even better.

a young and fairly recent home owner new to DIY, I found this basic guide to shed building really helpful in deciding what types of options are out there and what plan was best for my situation [link] (http://www.amazon.com/Building-Shed-Planning-Foundations-Details/dp/1561586196/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382408538&sr=1-2&keywords=building+a+shed)

Squirrel Wars for those of us who try to be minimalist and reverent in respect for life...My own gardening degree is through the school of hard knocks, although I also do my best to tap lightly.

The comments to OP are very misleading and some are just wrong.

First off, this should have been put in full sun. Ponds should always be in full sun locations. This looks like too much shade, but it's tough to tell from photos. That is the most troubling problem I see.

You don't need a pump. If you have oxygenating plants, a pump is unnecessary. You also get the same effect from rain, so that is a consideration depending on your location. But you need those plants in ASAP.

You don't need a filter. If you have the proper balance of surface and submerged plants, they will compete with the algae or block the sun. This keeps the pond in balance. Again those plants should already be in.

Bugs? If you have any decent aquatic life in such a small space, that shouldn't be a problem.

This is about creating an ecosystem. Depending on the surface area and total volume there is an ideal number of fish, plants, and surface coverage you need to maintain balance. IF you have a balanced pond, a filter and that UV bullshit is completely unnecessary. Shoot for 75% coverage on the surface. But you also really need all the plants in for a couple weeks before introducing the fish.

Source: Built these for years. Everything from concrete, liners, pool conversions, formal, informal, etc. This is a decent source of information. Not the best but good and can be found used cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Water-Gardeners-Bible-Step-Step/dp/1594866589/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=19GQXS8EWGYRZNHG4ZM4

For that size I'd suggest at least a couple water lillys. Check their hardiness before you buy. Some marginals and definitely some oxygenating plants. I like Anacharis as the oxygenating plant which you can find pretty cheaply here: https://www.pondmegastore.com/shop/home.php?cat=284

Water Hyacinths are easy to get great coverage, but beware that some states with no freeze won't allow them because they are an invasive species.

Frogs? Good luck. They will either stay or leave. If you put in tadpoles, most will leave. Only 1-2 will stay. NO TURTLES for a pond that size. They will fuck everything up.

EDIT: almost forget about the winter. You can get a heater. A much simpler option is a weight tied to a plastic gallon jug floating in the center. The ice will push against the jug instead of the liner. I use 2-3 in a pond that size. Mostly to make sure the ice doesn't push it up and out. This depends on your location as well.

Yes you can. Easily if you have basic tools and the desire the learn.

Buy this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159186612X?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Read it from front to back.

I bought in July and these have been my book resources so far. The Black and Decker complete guide books are way better quality than any of their actual tools.

The Complete Guide to Wiring

The Complete Guide to Plumbing

Home Depot Home Improvement Guide

The black and decker books are a pretty good starting point:
http://www.amazon.com/Decker-Complete-Wiring-Updated-Edition/dp/159186612X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412963985&sr=8-2&keywords=electrical+how+to

According to my jurisdiction, they adopted the 2011 one, this one. I don't have a copy of the NEC, yet, I think its up for a new version this year? Thanks, I definitely will be around this sub and the home improvement one more and more. Home ownership, so much fun!

Edit This is the B&D book I am using at the moment.

I built one following instructions in this book: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Sheds-Joseph-Truini/dp/1627107703

I did change a few things on advice from my brother (framer). Instead of making trusses we framed a roof using regular rafters, which made the interior a lot taller. I also bought a real outswing exterior door (special order at home depot) because every home-built shed door I have seen has been saggy, leaky, or otherwise deficient over time. I'm really happy with the door and it really wasn't that expensive (a couple hundred bucks). It wouldn't be great for the only door if you were using as a garden shed (too skinny for a wheel barrow), but might be a good idea for an office. My shed also has a roll-up door on the other end so worries there.

I have since helped my dad pour a concrete patio and if I do another shed I will do a concrete instead of wood floor.

It is quite simple. But I'd recommend getting a book like this one and reading it first anyway:

http://www.amazon.com/xdp/1589236017

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Wiring-Updated/dp/159186612X

Bought that when I got my first home. The thing is amazing for basic wiring.

The Ultimate Beginner's Guide To Lawn Care https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N47GDR2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cPbMBbKTYGYJY

I just wanted to share this deck framing connection/building guide I found recently on Home Depot's website given the two recent deck builds.


Edit: While I do not own this book I do own two of the others they put out, repair and wiring, so I feel safe recommending Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Decks, Updated 5th Edition: Plan & Build Your Dream Deck Includes Complete Deck Plans.

Here (reddit in general) is not the place to educate yourself on basic electrical principles. This is a good book: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Wiring-Updated/dp/159186612X

Do yourself a favor and buy/read this book first.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Guide-Wiring/dp/159186612X

The siding and the flashing aren't that complicated. A decent reference book to walk you through the process is handy. I tend to like the Black and Decker books.
https://www.amazon.ca/Black-Decker-Complete-Guide-Updated/dp/1589236599

I'm a big fan of the Black and Decker book, read it cover to cover.

I used the previous version of this book..

https://www.amazon.com/Decker-Complete-Wiring-Updated-Edition/dp/159186612X

I also had assistance from posters at WoodNet forums where there (at the time) were several electricians that would answer questions. I would assume this forum or others would be able to answer code questions.

Most questions I had were just to confirm my understanding and in material selection. The hardest questions I had were in dealing with the design of two sub panels, one with a lockable disconnect to keep machines from being used when not using the shop (safety for kiddos). I also upgraded my main panel to 200 amps. All of it was very straightforward to do. The only difficulty I had with any of the work was in finding quality materials. Most of the materials at the home store are “builder grade”, and at least my Home Depot and Lowe’s did not stock a lot of the higher quality materials so I ordered them in from supply houses. I lived in an area where the supply houses would not sell to homeowners. Lighting was a similar challenge because I wanted to have a very bright garage and finding quality T8 ballast/fixture combos locally was impossible, so I had to buy a few sample fixtures from online suppliers, evaluate them and return those I did not like.

>a recent diy home electrical book with lots of color photos

I've learned a bunch from Black and Decker's Complete Guide to Wiring
https://www.amazon.com/dp/159186612X

The book:

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Wiring-Updated/dp/159186612X

A book like this and YouTube will go a long way in teaching you the basics.

I think you'd really get a lot out of this book.

The B&D book, is it this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Complete-Guide-Wiring-ebook/dp/B00K4SEXLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1502115692&sr=1-1&keywords=black+and+decker+wiring

If you've never done anything before, you need to start with the basics:

https://www.amazon.com/Do-Yourself-Housebuilding-Complete-Handbook/dp/0806904240

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Do-Yourself-Manual-Completely/dp/0762105798

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Repair-Improvement-Updated/dp/158011783X

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Maintenance-Dummies-James-Carey/dp/047043063X

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-Book-Home-How/dp/0760354766

There are more, but that selection covers virtually everything you'd run into.

I just looked this up on Amazon, and lost it when I saw the URL:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00K4SEXLK