| Homeowners embark on do it yourself projects | | | | that is flat, it must be repaired only by a licensed |
| everyday. Sometimes, a problem presents itself that | | | | professional. This is another aspect where doing your |
| must be repaired immediately, such as a leak. | | | | homework can save you time and money in the long |
| Sometimes, the homeowner wishes to improve the | | | | run. |
| salability of his home and undertakes larger projects, | | | | Should you hire a professional? |
| such as an addition to the home or remodeling the | | | | If you do decide that your home improvement job is |
| kitchen. Then there are those who wish to improve | | | | beyond your abilities or if the job will require a |
| or update the look of their home. Whether it's an | | | | professional, then investigate thoroughly. The news is |
| immediate need or a major undertaking, there are | | | | full of stories of people being scammed by unethical |
| many questions to ask yourself prior to initiating any | | | | contractors or just folks pretending to be a |
| project on your own. Yes, you can save yourself a | | | | contractor. Get some recommendations from your |
| lot of money by doing your own home | | | | family and friends. This is also where those bids you |
| improvements, but any project, large or small, | | | | obtained will come in handy. Be wary of those bids |
| requires some pre-planning. The bigger the project, | | | | that are extremely high or extremely low. Chances |
| the more planning is involved. After all, you don't | | | | are that you are either paying too much or perhaps |
| want your project to end up costing twice as much | | | | you will get what you paid for in the case of a |
| as necessary because you didn't thoroughly plan for | | | | lowball figure. Ask for references from the |
| any potential complications. | | | | contractor. |
| Whether you're installing cabinets, building a deck or | | | | Do you need a building permit? |
| adding crown molding throughout your home, a | | | | You will need to check with your city or county to |
| comprehensive plan will benefit the homeowner prior | | | | obtain any required permits depending on the type of |
| to initiating the project. Below are some questions | | | | work. Find out what work your city requires a |
| and considerations for the homeowner to ask before | | | | professional to complete. Find out about requirements |
| tearing down those walls or visiting the local home | | | | for zoning. Some work will be governed by zoning or |
| improvement center. | | | | setback restrictions. This aspect of home |
| What is your plan? | | | | improvement can take some time. Apply in advance |
| What do you hope to accomplish? Are you | | | | of the job so that you have the permit before your |
| remodeling or adding a room? Or is it a simple | | | | projected date to begin the project. |
| problem that needs attended to immediately? How | | | | Some final notes |
| much do you need or want to spend? Your plan | | | | So, you have answered all of the questions and you |
| should begin with setting some priorities. Break the | | | | have done all of your homework. Now you are ready |
| project down and rate the importance of each | | | | and eager to start your project. Here are some final |
| aspect. Decide on expense and speed. Does your | | | | considerations to help the job go smoothly. |
| project require the best quality or can you cut some | | | | Gather the necessary tools and materials. |
| corners? For example, do you have to use plaster | | | | Assemble all of the necessary materials and tools |
| ornamentation or can you substitute polyurethane? | | | | that you will use ahead of time. Check and |
| Do you want it done yesterday or is it something | | | | double-check to see that you have everything that |
| with which you should take your time? | | | | the job requires. There is nothing more frustrating or |
| Try to determine what your costs will be. Do some | | | | time consuming than getting into the project and |
| homework ahead of time. Obtain bids from | | | | then to have to stop and run to the hardware store |
| contractors and other professionals. This will give you | | | | because you ran out of finish nails or your tool kit is |
| a better idea for what the project entails, whether | | | | missing a saw blade that you need. Some of the |
| or not you plan on completing some or all of the | | | | tools you may require include: miter saw, drill, nailer, |
| work yourself. I like to obtain at least three random | | | | or a router. Have your materials and fixtures nearby |
| bids for any work that I have done. Also, visit the | | | | or schedule delivery to coincide with your projected |
| home improvement stores for an idea of the costs | | | | date to begin work. |
| for material and other necessities. After doing the | | | | Coordinate the project. |
| research you may decide that the task is too large | | | | If you are tearing off a roof, order the dumpster |
| for you. In any case, you now know how much the | | | | ahead of time. Meet with contractors and other |
| job will set you back financially. | | | | professionals as required, for any larger jobs. |
| Look at setting yourself a timetable for completion | | | | Schedule deliveries to coordinate with contractors |
| of your project. Most projects will end up requiring at | | | | scheduled. It can be a real juggling act for the |
| least twice as much time as you anticipate. Make | | | | homeowner. |
| allowances for setbacks, for delayed deliveries, for | | | | Personal considerations. |
| extra work you encounter along the way to | | | | Take frequent breaks from the job as needed, |
| completing your original project. | | | | especially if you find yourself becoming overwhelmed. |
| Is this a DIY project? | | | | Don't think of restrictions as hindrances. Consider |
| Be realistic about your do it your self skills. If the | | | | them helpful in sorting out all of the seemingly |
| undertaking is beyond your abilities, seek professional | | | | limitless possibilities for your home improvement task. |
| help. Maybe you need a plumber or an electrician. Are | | | | Obtain financing ahead of time. You do not want to |
| you qualified to handle any unforeseen problems | | | | have everything ready to go with no means of |
| which could develop? Do you know what those | | | | paying for it. Consider the design elements of your |
| potential difficulties are? If you planned ahead, you | | | | home or project. Also consider help with lifting heavy |
| should have an idea of where you might need to | | | | objects. If you physically injure yourself, your job will |
| seek assistance for completing some part of your | | | | be postponed until you have recovered. Just |
| home improvement project. For example, if you are | | | | something to keep in mind. |
| remodeling your kitchen and you are qualified to put | | | | You have plenty to consider regarding your DIY |
| in the cabinets, but you cannot rewire the electrical | | | | project. Remember, this can be fun, if you are |
| lines. Then you would plan for an electrician to come | | | | prepared. Always remember the end result. Since you |
| in and complete this aspect of the job. Also, some | | | | have planned for problems all along the way, nothing |
| cities or counties require professionals to do some | | | | should come out of left field to bowl you over. Revel |
| types of work. For example, in the Fort Lauderdale | | | | in the sense of accomplishment when your project, |
| area, a homeowner may replace the roof, but only | | | | no matter how large or how small, is completed. |
| the pitched part. If you have any part of your roof | | | | Good luck! |