Stop! Before you rush into your next home improvement project, hold up. You don’t want to skip important budgeting and planning steps for your upcoming projects. Because this could result in your not having enough time, money and materials to complete your project.
Back up a step or hold up. And make sure to cover these steps first:
1) Basic Plans and Planning Materials– There’s no shame in going to your local library, bookstore or online for helpful information about your project. You might be able to find some project planning tips and guidelines, tips for working with contractors and subcontractors, and a lot more. For this research phase, keep track of your notes by keeping them all in one place, a notebook just for this project. Set up either a three-ring binder with tabbed sections and lined paper or just use a simple notebook with lined pages.
2) Helpful Tools – Add a folder with pockets to your notebook for storing receipts, graph paper, bids, swatches, paint selectors, brochures, equipment instructions, pictures and other assorted items for your project. Insert some plastic sleeve protectors to help organize receipts, blueprints, paper clips and other things.
3) Storage Help – Organize your work area, office and / or other project-related areas, too. Pick up storage sheds and bins from the local hardware for your paneling, wood scraps, flooring, tiled, wall paper, paint and brushes, tarp, ladders and other tools and equipment, etc.
Get and stay organized. Then look into hiring help.
Finding Help
Finding help can also be done in an organized manner. The better prepared you are up front, the better your project will move along. Otherwise, you’ll be looking for your bid info, what you agreed to pay, for deadline info, etc.
So grab your project notebook and start taking notes while you interview contractors and subcontractors to help with your project. You can get help from to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry trade association by calling: (800) 611-6274 or visiting their website at: http://www.nari.org for lots of good construction recommendations and tips.
Also check online and find helpful articles with tips to print out and add to your notes. Bottom line is: don’t go it alone. Reach out for help and keep good notes on your research. Two and more heads are much better than one. And getting and staying organized is the name of the game.
For help with your home improvements, turn to any of our sponsoring sites for more details:
