Should you do it yourself?

Are you considering jumping headfirst into a major home project? If you are, take a moment to consider a few important preliminary steps. Home improvements can be like a Rubex Cube of complexity. Planning is key! It's critically important to be clear about your goals and to develop a plan for achieving them.

Whether you're adding a room, building a deck, or installing new cabinets, spending a little extra time planning before you actually launch your project can make the process much smoother--and your results far more successful.

Here are seven steps that are key to proper planning:

1) Set your priorities
Break down the various elements of your plans and rate the importance of each. Most people want fast, inexpensive, high quality results. As a rule, you can pick two of these. If you want it fast and inexpensive, chances are pretty good that it won't be high quality. If you want it fast and high quality, chances are it won't be inexpensive. And so on.

2) Estimate the cost
Nothing is worse than halting progress halfway through a project for lack of funds. To accurately anticipate costs, you'll have to do some homework. Begin by visiting a home improvement center to find out what the materials and fixtures will cost. In addition, it's often a good idea to get three bids for the work from contractors or other professionals, even if you plan to do some or all of your own work. Getting bids can give you a feel for what the work will involve and can help you determine the potential savings of doing it yourself. In some cases, looking at the numbers may convince you that it's wiser to hire a professional.

3) Plan for any help you'll need
Even when you do it yourself, you don't have to do it by yourself. Some jobs take two or more people to do safely and properly. Before you encounter those jobs, schedule somebody to help you.

Keep in mind that most home improvements involve a range of different tasks, each requiring knowledge and skills, from design and construction to plumbing, wiring, and finish work. Your overall project might go far more smoothly if you hire a pro for certain parts. For example, when remodeling your kitchen, you might want to install the flooring and cabinets yourself but bring in a plumber for installing new piping.

If you do call a professional, make sure they are qualified and reliable. The best way to find good help is through personal recommendations. Otherwise, you can find qualified, pre-screened plumbers, electricians, contractors, and similar professionals on the web.

4) Gather your tools and resources
Before you begin, make sure you have on site the tools, materials, and other resources you'll need to complete the work. If your current toolkit doesn't include certain specialty tools, explore buying or renting them. Key materials, fixtures, and appliances--such as tile, windows, cabinets, and plumbing fixtures--should be scheduled for delivery. Far too many people plunge into demolishing their old kitchen only to find that their new cabinets have been back ordered for delivery in twelve weeks.

5) Explore the need for a permit
Visit your city or county building department to find out whether permits are needed and to discover any zoning or building requirements. Be sure the changes you plan to make are possible and legal before getting too far into planning. Chances are good that any room addition will be governed by setback and zoning limitations. If you intend to do your own work, be sure your town allows this. Some cities, for example, require electrical and/or plumbing work to be completed by a licensed professional.


In most areas, permits are required for work that affects the structure of a house or that involves changing electrical wiring or plumbing. You probably need a permit if you intend to alter the roofline, move a bearing wall, or reposition plumbing fixtures. You may not need one for installing new floor coverings, replacing doors and windows, or making minor repairs. If a permit is required, don't proceed without it.

6) Establish a timeline
Carve out a block of time that is long enough to get the work done, then set mileposts for completing phases of the work within that framework. Be aware that doing your own work will probably take you longer than you expect--in fact, it's likely to take you twice as long. Within your timeline, account for the delivery time of anything that must be special ordered.

7) Set up your systems
It's usually a good idea to rent a dumpster and have it delivered before any major demolition begins; coordinate delivery with start-of-work so you don't pay excessive rental fees. If contractors or other professionals will be involved in the project, set up a meeting to discuss logistics and the work that needs to be accomplished. This is also a good time to establish daily schedules and ground rules such as work hours, use of bathrooms, and so on. Be sure to ask for cell phone numbers for all of the key players.

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