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There are 3 common methods to managing your time and project that will benefit you and your family the best.

Method 1:    Completing the project yourself from beginning to end.  Can I complete the project myself?  Do I have the tools I need to complete the project?  Do I have the knowledge and experience?  What will I be giving up to put my personal time towards this project?  These are a few of the important questions to consider before starting a project on your own.  According to most studies and follow ups to home repair project, the homeowner ended up spending more money than they expected with tool purchase and materials for "do overs" than what they had budgeted for not to mention the completion time. 

Method 2:    Work hand in hand with a contractor to support your project with the specialty items and tools allowing you to focus on buying materials and completing more basic components that fall within your comfort level.  This allows you to participate, control and complete the project more efficiently.

Method 3:    To hire a competent contractor to complete the project with you selecting products, designs and colors.  Make sure you have a written agreement including pricing, how unknown conditions with be addressed, starting and completion time frames.

Starting A Project

by the Home Advisor - Your home is your greatest asset. It's natural that you want to increase its value, improve its appearance, and enhance its livability. Small do-it-yourself projects, such as painting a room or installing a closet organizing system, don't require major expertise—unlike large home improvements, such as building a porch or renovating a kitchen.  It is important for you at this stage to understand the difference between a "client" and a "contractor" before you jump too far into you project.

When considering do-it-yourself projects, keep in mind that shoddy work leads to difficulty when it comes time to sell your house. Weigh the scope of the project against your know-how. Also consider the following:

• Real costs
  If you earn $40 an hour at your regular job, it would be cheaper to pay a skilled tradesperson an hour to do the work for you. If you do it yourself, you run the risk of incurring extra expenses later if you have to hire an expert to fix your mistakes.

• Real time
  Ask yourself if you want to spend your leisure time working on your house. Doing it yourself can add weeks (or months) to a major remodeling job, simply because you're doing the work in your off-hours as opposed to working on it full time, as a professional would.

• The Value of Sweat Equity
  How much do you actually save by improving your home yourself instead of hiring someone else to do it?  According to most estimates, do-it-yourselves save about 20 percent in home improvement costs. For many homeowners, this kind of savings is the main reason for taking on their own home improvements.  The value you add to your home by improving it yourself is called sweat equity. The idea is that the less you pay to improve or enhance your home, the more profitable your home will be at resale time. To make sweat equity work, it is essential that you 

Understand the scope of the project, and know precisely how to tackle it

 Take the time to gain essential expertise through classes, books, software, and/or instructional videos  

 Don't invest more money than you can safely lose

 Leave the difficult or hazardous tasks to experts

Do You Have What It Takes?
Here's a quick checklist of qualities shared by most do-it-yourselfers. If none of these apply to you, you should definitely consider hiring an expert for the job.

§                         You have a knack for working with tools

§                         You're good at taking things apart and putting them together

§                         You can clearly visualize what finished projects should look like

§                         You take pride in your creativity and home improvement skills

§                         You have plenty of leisure time and energy

§                         You find working on your house an enjoyable hobby

§                         You are willing to research projects thoroughly and develop needed skills

§                         You know your limitations

Good Do-It-Yourself Projects
Some good projects to do yourself are:

§                         Painting
Nothing is quicker, cheaper, or more effective in upgrading a home. Paint lets you be creative and cover your mistakes. You don't have to use professional painting techniques, but many can save time and energy and improve your overall results.

§                         Minor landscape and exterior improvements
These projects include planting shrubs and perennials or trimming existing trees and shrubs; replacing broken windowpanes, cracked stepping stones, or a mailbox; and simple paint jobs, such as painting window trim.

§                         Shelves, decks, fencing, closets, and storage cabinets
These are ideal for the do-it-yourselfer with basic carpentry skills. Home stores carry a variety of kits and plans, and will even calculate how much you need in materials. Many how-to books are also excellent sources for ideas and step-by-step instructions.

Projects for Experts
The following projects are probably best saved for professionals:

§                         Major kitchen and bathroom upgrades
These projects not only require demolition but reconstruction in most cases. They also require electrical and plumbing expertise. Not recommended for the beginning do-it-yourselfer.

§                         Major landscape and exterior improvements
Larger exterior projects (such as installing a brick patio, replacing a driveway, or painting the entire house) often require special skills or experience. Materials and tools involved, such as hot blacktop or a concrete mixer, can be hazardous.

§                         Replacement or upgrade of plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, roof, windows, or doors
When it comes to your home's operating systems, it is almost always necessary to hire an expert. Windows and doors are less technical and can be handled by an experienced do-it-yourselfer

You can never over-plan a home improvement project: In the end, zealous planning will likely save you money and headaches, especially if you are contracting the work out. Scope out your project systematically, then execute it in steps:

§                         Understand what you're constructing.
Study how-to books and magazine articles. Talk to friends and neighbors who have completed similar projects. Watch instructional videos, take classes, seek help on line or consult do-it-yourself and home-improvement experts.

§                          Establish a budget.
List all materials and calculate expenses for labor, tools and accessories.  Factor in an extra 30 percent for unexpected costs.

§                         Set a timetable.
Establish a realistic deadline for the project. Decide how much should be completed by the end of each day, week, or month (if the project is large). Then add 30 percent to your time estimate.

§                           Get bids and references from prospective contractors.
This will help ensure competitive pricing and quality workmanship. If you're doing the project yourself, assemble your tools and materials.

§                         List the sequence in which tasks need to be accomplished.
For example, surfaces need to be sanded and primed before being painted. Before you pick up a paintbrush, consider preparation and cleanup.

§                         Keep the end result in mind.
Use graph paper to lay out your design; have photos, sketches, and prototypes handy.

§                         Go slow and do it right.
You'll be tempted to jump in before you're ready. Prep work is tedious, but it helps avoid sloppy mistakes.

§                         Give yourself (and your hired help) plenty of breaks.
Fatigue reduces productivity and can contribute to poor workmanship.

§                         Expect the unexpected.
A project that's completed without a hitch is the exception, not the rule.

   Thank you Home Advisor for this valuable information

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