For some, property development is an idea, which is unlikely to become a reality. If, like me, that's your situation, then this book is great. It covers everything. But what it has in scope, it lacks in detail, as a lot of important factors are covered relatively briefly.

I enjoyed reading this book, and there is some practical advice, and lessons to be learned. But if you're REALLY serious about property development, something a little more substantial may be in order.


Property Ladder   March 7, 2003
 47 out of 50 found this review helpful

Like many, I've sat glued to watching this programme and read the book cover to cover several times. Yes, it does give exactly the same advice as on the programme - but most of it does bear repeating time and time again as it's so easy to say, oh a few extra pounds on this won't matter as it's much nicer - I'll be able to cut corners on something else - but when "something else" comes up - it's extremely hard to be able to do it after all if you still want to do the job properly and your budget was probably accurate in many respects when you first started anyway.

I'm currently doing up a house to sell and despite being a complete Property Ladder addict with worked out budget and strict promises NOT to personalise the property etc. I've still gone overbudget with a few unforeseen snags despite this book being my bible but it would have probably been far worse otherwise.

Other reviewers have commented that it's a bit lightweight but I think it's really geared at the first time property developer who is maybe seeing a project through rose coloured spectacles and just thinking of all the cash they're going to make. When you actually get down to the work - it can come as a bit of a shock (I've done up houses before but only to let out - not to sell on quickly as is the case now). So, after a hard day's slog - it's helped to sit down and flick through it to get you back on the right path again - it's worked for me!