Remodeling a room, let alone a whole house, is a daunting task. My experiences in remodeling have often found me lacking in planning and preparation, in over my head financially, and facing the unnerving reality of just how much energy it takes to stay on target until it's done. Drawing from her own experience with an extensive remodel, Victoria Likes has hit the nail on the head, describing how to become your own general contractor and get the most for your buck by successfully navigating all the facets of managing a project to its satisfactory completion. I appreciated her professional approach to dealing with the unexpected, avoiding pitfalls, and taking charge of the process. This book has the very practical how-tos for getting the dream on paper, identifying and contracting with the needed professionals who will do the work, securing the proper permits, staying on target both time-wise as well as financially...and staying sane! This is the kind of front-end information that I will use in future remodels. Pictures of her own finished home throughout not only showed me that she really does know what she is talking about, but whet my appetite for some updating. I was so inspired by the paint colors and white trim that I went out, bought paint, and redid a few of my own rooms.