A Guide to Managing Your Home Improvement Projects with Ease

Carrying out any kind of home improvement is a big task – it takes flexibility, a level-headedness, and most importantly, a plan. As the saying goes, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Having a plan in place to manage your home improvement project with ease is vital to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Now, that is not to say you will not hit a few bumps along the way – anything can happen when it comes to home improvement projects. However, if you can successfully create a project plan, you are far more likely to make it an enjoyable process (rather than a big headache!) In this article, we are offering a quick guide to manage any home improvement project you undertake with ease. 

Write a List 

Writing a list of all the key details – including what you are getting done, when you want it done and the scope of work – is vital. A list that details everything being done from start to finish will help you see the bigger picture and get clear on what needs doing. It also helps prevent any key details from being forgotten. Your list should contain a scope of work or a specifications document for your home improvement contractor. If you can get clear on your goals, this will make sure your contractor is clear on it, too. A scope of work document also makes it easier for you to obtain quotes from different contractors so you can compare apples to apples during the process of getting your quotes.

Find the Perfect Home Improvement Contractor for the Job 

Of all the tips we could offer for managing your home improvement project with ease, finding the right contractor  is perhaps the most important. A good contractor is key to making your home improvement project as smooth and stress-free as possible. We recommend hiring a contractor based on a referral from a friend or neighbor. However, you can also check out different contractors and their reviews on websites like Yelp!, Angie’s List, BBB, Houzz, Home Advisor, Porch and Facebook. Have a read of what past customers have to say, and use this to make a shortlist of quality contractors you should speak to.

Assign Tasks 

Depending on what home improvement project you are having done, you might have one contractor for everything, or multiple contractors (for example an insulation specialist and also an electrician et cetera). Everyone working on the project should know what tasks they are responsible for, but they should also know what everyone else is doing. A daily or weekly schedule is a good idea to keep everyone on the same page at all times and the home improvement project running smoothly. 

Finalize Designs Before Starting Work 

Before any power tools are brought out, make sure all the details are finalized. Do not rush the process – take your time to plan and pull together all your specifications, your designs, your vision for the final look and so on. This will save you time, money and the headache of rushing into something you were not clear on before your contractor started. You cannot assume your contractor can see the vision you have in your head, so being really clear on what you want and having all the design details in place before you begin is vital. 

Be Flexible & Have a Contingency Plan 

No matter how well you have planned for your home improvement project, there is still a chance some things will not go exactly to plan. That is why you need to go into the project with a flexible and open-mind, while also having a contingency plan. We recommend a 10 percent contingency within your budget, because even the most experienced of home improvement contractors may run into some unanticipated problems, which may set the project back in both time and money. 

We hope this has helped you plan for a stress-free and smooth home improvement project! And remember, the right contractor will make all the difference. Get in touch to find out about how we can help on your next home improvement project.