Shortlist and buying guide · the ranked board is on its way
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What to look for
Clear step-by-step photos matter more than page count; check it covers UK regulations and materials.
Models worth comparing
From publishers' details and published UK reviews, read on 6 October 2026. Not read cover to cover by us. In no particular order: these are not ranked, and we do not say which is best until the customer ratings are in.
Beginner
DIY: Repair, Renovate and Decorate (Peter Parham and Julian Cassell)
First-time homeowners who want one up-to-date, photo-led manual to take them from small fixes to bigger jobs.
Updated 2025 edition takes in newer kit such as boiling-water taps and smart security
Every technique is shown in step-by-step photographs
Covers tool choice and safety as well as repairs, renovation and decorating
Watch out for: A heavy hardback of just over 2 kg, so it is a shelf reference rather than one to carry to the job.
We are gathering the customer ratings this board needs from UK shops. When they are in, the ranked list replaces this guide at the same address, scored the way every board is: star ratings weighed by how many people left them. How we score.