Have you ever thought about buying a fixer-upper at a reduced price and then coordinating all the work yourself?

'The Straight Dope' editor Ed Zotti did. As he explains in his new book, "The Barn House: Confessions of an Urban Rehabber," the process isn't as easy as it might sound. Or, more accurately, it's much more difficult than even the biggest pessimist may believe.

However, with the right expectations and hard knocks experience, it can also be a rewarding venture rather than a Money Pit-type disaster.

Here, Ed provides 10 things you should definitely not do if you're thinking of taking on a big restoration project. Let his pitfalls be your guide.