Welcome to AMAZON.COM's printed publishing division: CREATESPACE. If you're handy enough to work on your own home improvement projects, you're ahead of the game. When a project exceeds your skill level or requires licensed professionals, it's time to call in the pros. That's when a simple project takes on a whole new level of complexity and that's putting it mildly. You're about to enter a jungle. There are contractors out there who are ready to tell you anything you want to hear to get the job. There are techniques that will give you the illusion of firm pricing in writing, only to skyrocket when the work begins. There are plenty of people who are very charming but ultimately incompetent, who will represent themselves as experts in the field. You need to know how to identify them and avoid them. There are liability issues, quality workmanship issues, payment issues and safety issues that you need to know how to manage, or they will manage you. This book is a concise compilation of best practices for any homeowner to take charge of any sized project and achieve high quality results. "My goal is to empower homeowners to plan, budget and manage their projects like a pro." Dave Dillon Residential and Commercial General Contractor