I ordered this book as a gift for my brother, who has been struggling to do his own maintenance and remodelling projects around his home. I've always used RS Means trade reference books professionally (I've been an electrical project manager and estimator for 23 years) and consider them THE most thorough and useful information sources I have at my disposal. I also have a large personal library of home renovation books which I've used extensively over the years. I expected this RS Means book to at least match and probably surpass these other reference books in completeness and technical content. Instead, when I received it I felt it was very "dumbed-down" and sketchy, only covering the "duh" basics of home construction and system function with very little of real use to someone who might want tips on dealing with more complex issues in residential structures. I have at least half a dozen similar books by other publishers that are far superior. I actually thought my brother might be a little insulted at receiving such a superficial "houses for dummies" book so I didn't give it to him. I guess I should have returned it but I donated it instead to a group that provides reference and self-education books to prisoners. So, maybe it will be useful to someone, but I felt it did not reflect the quality and professionalism I had grown to expect from RS Means.
By Kerry from Pittsburgh, PA