| Home Improvement Project Planning and Design | | | | so you will need to line up additional help before you |
| Where to begin | | | | work on that part. |
| So you've decided to make some home | | | | Consider Eco Friendly Building |
| improvements. It is an exciting prospect to upgrade | | | | Green remodeling is a sound choice, for both, a |
| and bring your home closer to the image of your | | | | healthier life and as an investment in your home. |
| dream home. Begin by considering the changes you | | | | Currently, in traditional construction, indoor air quality is |
| want to make. You may already have an idea of the | | | | often worse than outdoor air, due to various building |
| things you want to improve, but now's the time to | | | | materials, inadequate lighting, and a variety of other |
| fine-tune your ideas. | | | | variables. Some eco friendly choices do require |
| Think about how your home already supports the way | | | | purchasing special equipment or materials, but many |
| you live, and which existing elements you really like. | | | | upgrades are just a matter of knowing the most |
| Write down each item you want to keep, and what | | | | environmentally conscious choice to make. Using |
| you want to change. This will not only help you | | | | recycled materials where available, (glass, stone, |
| prioritize the projects you take on first, it will also help | | | | plastics), choosing carpet low in Volatile Organic |
| you better define the details of each project. No | | | | Compounds (VOC), and installing more efficient, low |
| matter how large or small your project, planning is | | | | water plumbing fixtures are a few Green options that |
| crucial. Developing a detailed plan will insure that your | | | | cost little or no more than the non-Green. |
| project runs smoothly forward and that your results | | | | Anticipate your needs |
| will be a success. Having a clear image in your mind of | | | | Most home improvement projects require a variety of |
| what you want to achieve will help guide you in the | | | | different skills. If there is a task that requires more skill |
| steps you must take to attain your goal. | | | | than you have and you would feel more comfortable |
| Determine your goal | | | | with expert guidance or proficiency, a contractor can |
| Once you know the project that you want to take on | | | | usually do just the portion of the job that you are |
| first, you can begin to make decisions about what you | | | | unable to handle for a portion of the cost of the entire |
| want to change. The more clearly you can envision | | | | project. You might consider hiring a plumber, electrician |
| what you want to achieve, the better prepared you'll | | | | or heating specialist, or even a general handyman for a |
| be in making necessary decisions;Think about traffic | | | | job that requires additional manpower. |
| patterns, furniture placement and size, colors, lighting | | | | Hiring a Contractor |
| and how you plan to use the remodeled space. Draw | | | | If you do plan on hiring a contractor, you must get a |
| out your completed idea to get a clear picture of what | | | | written contract. A good contract includes a detailed |
| you hope to accomplish. | | | | description of the project, start and expected |
| Cost Estimation | | | | completion dates, labor and material costs, and any |
| You probably have a basic idea of how much you | | | | warranties of workmanship. Including a right to cancel |
| want to invest in your home improvement project, so | | | | clause of three business days is a good idea. The |
| base your estimate on that budget. Nothing is more | | | | more detailed you make your contract, the less room |
| disappointing than not having enough money to finish | | | | for problems you will allow. |
| the entire project, so plan well, beginning with the most | | | | Building Permits |
| costly or most important items. To get a good idea of | | | | Before you actually start tearing down walls or running |
| material cost, simply check out your neighborhood | | | | electrical wire, check with your local or state building |
| home improvement center. If you have any questions | | | | department to learn if your project requires a building |
| or concerns, most of their employees are able to | | | | permit. A building permit is a license required by city |
| either give you answers or guide you to someone | | | | code that grants legal permission to construct, enlarge, |
| who can. When pricing your necessary materials, | | | | alter, repair or demolish a structure or equipment |
| remember to include any hardware and finishing | | | | installed in a building. If you are working with a |
| products you might need. Don't forget nails, adhesives, | | | | contractor, find out if his services include obtaining |
| tape, stencils or paint. | | | | permits. |
| Gather your tools | | | | So now, you know where to begin. Following these |
| Be sure that you have the proper tools available | | | | guidelines will help insure that your home renovations |
| before you start. If your current toolkit does not have | | | | will advance without any unnecessary hitches or |
| certain specialty tools to do the job properly, you might | | | | unfortunate surprises, whether you are doing internal |
| have to invest in them to complete your project. You | | | | remodeling and upgrades, or external maintenance and |
| could also consider borrowing or renting them. Some | | | | repair. With the correct preparation, and taking it a step |
| jobs might also require two people for safety reasons, | | | | at a time, your dream home will not be just a dream! |