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The Tuff Chix Guide to Easy Home Improvement - Great Projects From Fixing Faucets to Laying Tile
by Paige Hemmis
Plume
ISBN 0-452-28761-8
Published December 2006 - Softcover - 304 pages - $16.00

I'll be the first to admit I am a wimp when it comes to fixing things around the home.  Light bulbs, yes.  A spot of minor painting, maybe.  Tightening a loose screw, definitely.  Fixing toilets, NO.  Sanding floors, NOT.  Installing shelves?  I don't think so.  The delightfully upbeat Paige Hemmis (from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) has put together this comprehensive guide to help any woman wishing to do her own handiwork.  It's suitable for men as well.  [Personally, I'd rather pay someone who knows what they're doing to come and do it, same goes for my car repairs.]  We've seen Paige pull her weight on the show so we know she's the real deal, and her book covers a huge amount you can tackle yourself, provided you're game.  Stuff such as Drywall, Concrete, Paint, Floors, Doors, Cabinets, Gutters, Stucco, Siding, Plumbing, Electrical Repairs, Home Security, Space Saving Ideas, Curtain Hanging, and more.  Is there anything this woman can't do?  Referring to her book when confronted with a problem, Paige brilliantly offers how long the job should take, the tools you'll need, the shopping list, and approximate total price, as well as what to expect to pay should you hire a pro.  Very helpful information.  Paige offers good advice about getting to know your house before things happen, and runs through a list of things to look for.  You don't have to tackle everything on your own, but there are a few things you can do, and for good morale, should do.  Things like knowing how to check and change a smoke alarm, how to change fuses in the fuse box, how to unstop a clogged toilet, how to childproof things, patch walls, etc.  A great tip from Paige's make-up artist friend, is to use color in your home that suits you.  In other words, if you've been complimented when wearing a certain color, use it inside your home.  There is much more to a house than cleaning and dusting.  A lot can wear out, and if you can fix what you can yourself, so much the better and cheaper.
Visit Paige's website at www.tuffchix.com.
Conclusion - Not options for every woman but definitely more than a few we can attempt on our own.  A great go-to helper if you have to do it yourself.