From small, do-it-yourself jobs—to major renovations and new construction. Includes more than 65 projects with complete, customizable cost breakdowns for doing the work—with or without a contractor.

Find out what your remodeling project will cost—up-front. Know how much you can expect to spend if you hire a contractor—and what you can save if you do part or all of the work yourself.

* Renovating a kitchen or bathroom

* Creating a professional home office or home theatre

* Turning an attic, basement or garage into new living space

* Installing a new fireplace

* Building or removing walls and closets

* Installing new flooring or ceilings

* Refurbishing or building new stairs

* Making a home wheelchair-accessible

Includes a description of what materials are needed, how much they will cost, how long the work will take for a professional and for a do-it-yourselfer, what skills are needed, and how much a contractor is likely to charge. Find out which improvements have the best payback when it comes time to sell your house, and guidance on working with contractors, architects, and interior designers. Also features a handy checklist for selecting materials and comparing prices.