If you're planning any kind of home improvement, from having a room painted to adding a three-room wing to your house, you need How to Be Your Own Contractor, the complete guide to hiring and overseeing the work of more than fifty different contracting specialists. It covers:

• finding the right contractor for the job
• comparing estimates
• negotiating a contract
• checking a contractor's licenses and insurance
• obtaining building permits
• working on-site with the contractors

The Hamiltons discuss:

• design professionals
• mechanical systems contractors, like plumbers and electricians
• interior specialist contractors, such as carpenters, paperhangers, and tile layers
• exterior specialists, such as roofers, deck builders, and excavators
• yard contractors, like swimming pool builders
• maintenance contractors, such as exterminators