Construction... Do it yourself?
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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