The Visual Handbook of Building & Remodeling
The Visual Handbook of Building & Remodeling
See what right looks like before you hire, buy materials or follow another video
From foundations and framing to wiring, insulation and roofing
A reference you can check a quote, a video or a plan against before you spend the money
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The Visual Handbook of Building & Remodeling
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Trusted by 1,248+ Homeowners
Readers building, renovating and hiring with confidence.
Quick Facts
- 📖25 topics covered, from foundations and framing to wiring, insulation and decks
- 📐642 pages of labelled drawings, cutaways and quick-reference charts
- ✍️By Charlie Wing, author of more than 18 books on home construction
- 🏠Built for homeowners, renovators and anyone who hires a contractor
Quick Answers
Who is this book for?+
Homeowners planning a project, DIYers who want to understand before they start, and anyone who hires contractors and wants to follow the words on a quote.
Is it a step-by-step how-to?+
No. It’s a visual reference. It shows how each part of a house is designed and built, so you can see what right looks like and decide what to do yourself and when to call a pro.
Does it replace a professional or my local code?+
No. Codes and conditions vary by location. Use it to understand what you’re looking at and to ask better questions, and rely on a licensed professional and your local building department for your project.
What format is the book?+
Softcover, A5 size, 642 pages. It weighs about 800 grams, so it’s easy to carry to a job site or keep on the desk next to your plans.
Real reader reviews
What Readers Are Saying
★★★★★
Reader Review
“I can read ‘how to’ and watch Youtube instructional videos all day, and still not feel like I understand what I’m doing enough to tell the good advice from the bad.”
★★★★★
Reader Review · planning an addition
“Not being in the trade though, I had a hard time visualizing what was being described even with the use of Google images. This book made it all clear.”
★★★★★
Reader Review
“A home is the largest investment a person makes and reading this book gives you the basic knowledge to see that it is going well.”
★★★★★
Reader Review
“My husband has worn out the first edition, and just got our son the 4th edition”
★★★★★
Reader Review
“I’m a reluctant DIY’er, because I don’t have a lot of money to pay everyone to do everything for me, and I have a mortgage, want the place not to fall down around me.”
See the Standard Before You Hire, Buy or Build
Every part of the house is drawn, labelled and explained, so you can see what right looks like and understand what you’re looking at.
The X-Ray House
Labelled cutaways show what should be behind each wall, floor and roof.
Picture-First
See the correct result drawn out before any video, quote or chatbot answer.
The Answer Key
One book to check a quote, a video or a piece of advice against.
What’s Inside
One visual reference for the whole house, from the site and foundation to the roof and the wiring.
DesignSite and ClimateMasonryFoundationsWoodFramingSheathingSidingRoofingWindows and DoorsPlumbingWiringInsulation and R-ValueBest Practice InsulatingAir-Sealing Existing BuildingsFloors, Walls and CeilingsStorageHeatingCoolingPassive SolarLightingSoundFastenersDecksMeasuring and Finance
More Questions
How is this different from videos or asking an AI?+
Videos and chatbots give you one answer at a time. This is one reference you can look things up in and use to check what you hear, with drawings that show how the parts fit together. Plenty of videos and contractors do good work; this helps you tell what fits your house.
I’m hiring a contractor, not doing the work. Is it useful?+
Yes. Seeing how a wall, roof or foundation is built helps you understand the words on a quote and ask better questions before you sign.
I own an older house. Will it help?+
It shows how the parts of a house go together, and it covers insulating and air-sealing existing buildings. That helps you understand what you find when you open a wall, then decide when to call a pro.
Does it cover plumbing and wiring?+
Yes. Plumbing and Wiring are both in the contents, alongside framing, roofing, windows and doors, insulation, heating, cooling and more. For electrical and plumbing work, always follow your local code and a licensed professional.
Do I need building experience to use it?+
No. It’s written for homeowners and renovators, not only tradespeople. The drawings and labelled cutaways show how things fit together, so you can follow along even if you’ve never worked in construction. Start with the part of the house your project touches.
Learn What Right Looks Like First
The visual reference to check a quote, a video or a plan against, before you spend the money.
Get The Visual HandbookThis book is a visual reference. It is not a step-by-step course and does not replace a licensed professional, an inspector or your local building code.