Help please! Which DIY book to buy?

Vindiesel

Hi All

I want to buy a DUY manual, and have two options, but cannot work out which one is best. I am a complete novice, and have checked Amazon for the readers reviews- both look good, and both are the same price through my book club.

Please help!

Book 1: Collins Complete DIY Manual by Albert Jackson/David Day Hardback

Book 2: DIY by Peter Parham, Julian Cassell Hardback

Thanks

alanobrien

The Collins book is pretty good, i have that one.

There is a Readers Digest one that is in my view even better.......never thought i would say that about them

Becles

Vindiesel wrote:

Book 1: Collins Complete DIY Manual by Albert Jackson/David Day Hardback

I have that one and it's fantastic! The instructions are easy to follow and it has plenty diagrams and pictures in to show you what to do.

other

The red readers digest is prob the best thing I've got from them and that was some time ago!

There are updated ones, but if the quality is the same, then its very good!

oh i saw the collins DIY in Tesco for £13, was on their numbered topselling books display so should be in every shop?

The RD one is more "pro" with more photos of doing the job and others bits and bobs and less drawings than the Collins one. Also i think it is thicker and there is a much bigger section on "design and style" of all the different rooms kitchen, bath, bed, living etc if you are short of ideas

naturals

I have the collins one and think it's fantastic (and I work for a construction company so I know a fair bit about building already).

The RD one looks great with photo's but often they're less clear than the Collins diagrams. I think you'll find the collins one cheaper and better.

carpy

what about the B&Q one?

i've heard that it's good

Lord_Gardener

I always find it best to get the latest and most up to date info for DIY online but have found the Newnes DIY book helpfull over the past 25 years!

orainsear

I recently had the same query as yourself and had a look at several different books. In my opinion, the most comprehensive and well written book is the Collins DIY manual. It has plenty of excellent illustrations and the accompanying text and instructions are concise and easy to understand. A close second would be the Readers Digest DIY manual. One thing to look out for is to make sure you get the most recent version - e.g. the most recent version of the Collins DIY manual contains details of the new wiring regulations/changes of wiring colours etc.

HugoSP

I have an old copy of the Collins one that my sister bought for me when I bought my first house in 1988.

Although it doesn't answer all my questions I do consider it very comprehensive. It explaines most common jobs in great detail. I used it extensively when I tackled my first property renovation starting in 1999 and often refer to it today.

Oh yes, I'm in the trade!

weekendwarrior

You do not need DIY books if you have an internet connection- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/

Plus you can get online help from the forum, try asking the publishers of the DIY books for help and see if they reply lol.