Residential Property Appraisal, Volumes 1 and 2 are essential handbooks not only for students studying surveying but also for surveyors and others involved in the appraisal of residential property.Volume 1 has been updated and covers the valuation process as it relates to residential properties, particularly when valuation is undertaken for secured lending purposes. It addresses the basic skills required, the risks posed in a valuation, the key drivers of value, e...

Residential Property Appraisal is a handbook not only for students studying surverying but also for surveyors and others involved in the appraisal of residential property for lending purposes. It focuses on the distinct professional competencies required by Mortgage Valuations and Home Buyers Surveys and Valuations, identifying and advising the reader on the extent and limitations of their activities. Generously illustrated, supported by real-life case studies and drawing on the l...

The Tree Faller’s Manual is an essential handbook for forest operators and others who need to fell trees manually using a hand-held chainsaw. This manual builds on the information provided by the Chainsaw Operator’s Manual.Tree felling is a high risk activity. Many fatalities and serious injuries have occurred as a result of being struck by falling trees, dislodged tree limbs or other dangers in the area. Most of these accidents are caused by using unsafe felling ...

Save 30% on home construction!Whether you want to take on all the responsibility of contracting your home or simply want to intelligently communicate with your homebuilder, The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home can help you save 30% or more on the cost of home construction by teaching you the ins and outs of managing your construction project.Learn how to get your project off to a solid start. Get financial and legal details in language you c...

The Holmes Inspection will be the definitive guide to smart home-buying and home-selling for Canadians. It’s often said that a home is the biggest investment most people will ever make, yet many buyers, when considering a house, spend less time on examining its pros and cons than they might on a head of lettuce at the supermarket. Why? A big part of the problem is knowledge: without an understanding of house construction, materials and finishing, many people are overwhelmed and de...

Shortlisted in TAFE Vocational Education category in the 2004 Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing. The devastation wreaked by bushfires on Australian homes and landscapes is an all too familiar scenario. Yet, why do we often see one house burn, whilst an apparently similar house on an adjacent block can endure? Research has shown that many factors affect the chances of a building surviving a bushfire. If you are designing landscapes and buildings in bushfire areas you n...

More than 1 million viewers in Canada watch Mike Holmes’ television show, Holmes on Homes, every week. Thousands more see him at his personal appearances and visit his website, looking for advice on renos-gone-wrong. Mike Holmes is Canada’s most trusted contractor, a crusader with a mission to expose botched renovations--and now the author of a bestselling book that has shipped over 60,000 copies in its hardcover edition.Mike has taken his professional expertise and tell-i...

Dampness can become an enemy when it invades our interior space, when it persists, when it spreads and damages our domestic fittings, finishes and furnishings, when it encourages the growth of moulds that threaten our health, and when it stimulates the spread of fungus and decay in the structure of our houses. A major industry has developed with specialist contractors but such contractors sometimes concentrate on a single treatment rather than offering a comprehensive diagnosis.

Anyone who has planned a renovation project knows that there are many, often difficult, decisions to make along the way. As Canada’s most trusted contractor, Mike has seen the good, the bad and the ugly. He provides expert advice in all aspects of planning and completing the most common renovation projects so homeowners willknow what’s possible: design and planning considerations, including advice on building greenlearn the basics: structural considerations, permits...

For home buyers and home sellers.Here is the first how-to that addresses the needs of both buyers and sellers, making it the perfect companion to the bestselling The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Buying and Selling a Home. The buyer will depend on this guide to determine whether a house is worth buying. The seller will need it to determine which repairs are necessary before listing or signing anything. Readers will learn to troubleshoot all areas of ...

Driveways, paths and patios are an essential part of most properties and this comprehensive book provides a detailed explanation of exactly how they are designed, planned and constructed. Discusses the design of driveways, paths and patios with reference to their planned use, style, size, gradients and special features such as steps, ramps and terraces. Considers the range of materials available including block paving, flags, slabs, setts, cubes, cobbles, loose aggregates, plain & patterne...

Brickwork and Bricklaying is written for those who are new to the craft of bricklaying, and those who are improving their skills. It provides an overview of the materials, processes, craft skills and related subjects to enable the reader to construct their own simple brickwork projects and undertake brickwork-related maintenance projects around the home.The book covers: Materials; Constituents and mix proportions of good quality concrete and mortars, and how to successfully mix both, with ...