With the current state of the Arizona housing market it may not be a great time to sell your home, but it is definitely an excellent time to update or remodel. With the economic downturn many companies are offering great incentives on their products and services and many trade businesses (plumbers, electricians, carpenters) are willing to work for less. It’s time to take advantage of this opportunity and get those projects done while the price is right.
Many projects around the home you can definitely tackle on your own and others you will want to hire a professional to assure the job is done right. Start by making a list of the projects you would like to do in the near future. Then prioritize your projects by the following:
- Urgency – how quickly do I want this to be completed
- Cost to complete – is this within my current budget
- Inconvenience – if your remodeling your kitchen make sure you don’t have a big dinner party planned
- Time involved – do you have the free time to complete the job? If not, this might be a good one to hire a professional to plan for you.
After you have determined the order in which your projects will be completed it is a good idea to outline the steps involved in completing the job. Whether it’s as simple as painting a room or more involved as remodeling a bathroom there are steps you need to take in order to perform the job right. For example with a simple job like painting a room you will want to plan out the the materials needed such as paint, brushes or rollers, drop clothes, masking tape, and a ladder. Having all your supplies up front help eliminate those last minute runs to the home improvement stores. Also, make sure you plan to have help available to move furniture and other items.
For bigger jobs there is more detail involved in the planning stages. Your bathroom for example will need to be done in stages. For instance, the cabinets need to be installed before the custom counter top can be templated and built. The plumbing and electrical will need to be completed before you bring in the drywall and tile installers. It can be frustrating and costly to have a trade show up before the job is ready for them.
One factor that can be often overlooked is clean up. Be prepared for dust and dirt it can work it’s way into every nook and cranny. Make sure you have a way to properly store any left over materials such as paint. Also try and recycle any materials you can – maybe use those old cabinets in the garage. For larger jobs you may want to consider renting a trash bin. This can save you in the long run as they will haul away all the garbage for you.
Do your homework and plan ahead and your project will be a rewarding addition to your home. Remember to lay out the project and plan out the costs. If you are not sure of the details involved don’t be afraid to look to your local contractors they can help you plan the job and will work with you to bring your ideas to life! For more before and after Photos see our Facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/knippcontracting
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