3 Top Tips For Successful Home Improvement Projects

Charles Dickens wrote the classic line in A Tale of Two Cities, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."  Reminds me too often of home improvement projects.
Nothing can be more exciting than finally going after a much awaited improvement project. Nothing can be more frustrating than home improvement projects.
Here's three of the top tips to keep the joy in your project outcomes.
  1. Devote Upfront Time For Proper Planning - Depending on the scope of your project be sure to include a design plan.  If extensive bring in an architect that can ensure your home's layout will both make sense and comply with local building codes.

    After having your plan together it's time to get the professionals involved.  Sometimes patchwork improvements looks easy to do but the underlying main systems that safely make your house function can get overlooked. Electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling needs to be well coordinated well in advance of swinging the first hammer.

  2. Manage Your Expectations - One of the most influential drivers of consumer tastes are the countless cable TV shows around real estate and home improvements.  Only through the magic of TV can the worst looking dumps be magically transformed into your own personal dream castle in 30 minutes.

    You need to start your own TV show called reality.  If you love these kinds of shows remember donors and sponsors are often driving up the cost of these fantasy makeovers to sell their own products making if affordable for the homeowner.  It's ok to be inspired  with ideas - just bring it down to earth where 99.9% of the rest of the world lives away from the cameras (and what drives ratings to keep them on the air).

    The other big dose of reality is realizing it takes time to plan and execute your project. Patience is a virtue when it comes to successfully completing your improvement project. A good rule of thumb is that the older the home you are working on the more likely you will encounter a new hidden surprise under the prior layers of remodeling through the decades.  Whether it's a weight bearing wall or moving a water line additional time and expense needs to be factored in to safely deal with it.

    Hint: It's rare that surprises cost less!

    That's why I leave the last tip as the best one...
  3. Stick to a Firm Budget -After you get your input from your professionals on your plan you can then finalize a much more realistic budget. If you have the time and skills be sure to work upfront with your professionals.
    Taking care of minor demolition work, daily work area cleanup and final painting can help lower the pain somewhat.

    ​
  4. Before you make a final decision it's always wise to review the planned updates and cost basis of your new updated home with a real estate professional to ensure it's an investment that makes sense in your neighborhood and local market.
Check out our latest video example that helps local homeowners with peace of mind they are getting the best plumbers to call from their area for their planned improvements.

Following these 3 top tips will help your family make sure your home improvement project will be the best of times for you and your family.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Introducing Humans

Image
A lot of people know how popular video continues to be in helping small business owners communicate with their audience. People on their smart phones alone are a large and growing audience. Businesses know that more people think more highly of them and buy more from them using video than any other platform. But how you do your video is often very confusing for busy business owners. Most successful sales people know that most prospects  buy on emotion and use logic to rationalize their decision.  So how could you use video to create more of an emotional connection with  interested viewers? Turns out that with all the focus on technology, pixels and camera specs the most important thing is to create a more human connection.  One powerful way to do that is through the use of spokespersons. The premise of a spokesperson is actually quite simple.  It's basically a real live person talking about your business.  Sure, the owner of the business ca...
Read more

William Maclay Mansion -Home of The First President's Loudest Critic

Image
The founding fathers  checks and balance philosophy of our new nation took on its full force during the first term of Senator William Maclay.  He took on none other than President George Washington in what he saw was the ever expanding power of the Executive Branch. Before he became one of the first class of new senators in the initial two year term in our new nation, Senator Maclay was a soldier, lawyer,  surveyor, state legislator and judge. Senator Maclay was a fervent supporter of the constitution in 1787.  But it is he along with Senator James Madison that were among the first to speak loudly against the actions of the new national government. He was convicted that President Washington was unconstitutionally taking the powers of the executive branch too far beyond the powers of the states. Besides the records of Senatorial debates Maclay also was devoted to his own private congressional journal.  This is invaluable for historians to gain insight on...
Read more

Decoration Day

Image
Long before Memorial Day turned into parades and picnics to kick off the summer season there was a much more solemn origin. Imagine a war where nearly every family in the nation had a son, father or husband who served or knew someone who lost a loved one. The Civil War counted 625,000 men who died.  That's more casualties than both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam combined.  Put another way that was 2% of the population which would be about 6 million if such a devastating conflict was fought today with the current population. Putting the loss for both sides in perspective it's easy to understand why families were looking for ways to remember, heal and honor the dead. By the late 1860's many towns and cities began to hold spring time ceremonies.  They would gather to honor those who gave their lives and would decorate their graves with fresh flowers.  Prayers were often given. It wasn't until 1966 that the federal government highlighted Waterloo (ironic na...
Read more