| As I noted in my previous article Home Building, | | | | the guess work has already been done. It's the |
| Getting It Right & Saving Money, I've built | | | | guess work that's usually the main cause of stress |
| custom homes, done some remodeling, and even | | | | for you and the sub-contractors, and a good reason |
| dabbled in some commercial ventures in my earlier | | | | why the project slows down. |
| days for the past 30 years. I've seen it all, but I | | | | Doing the work and oversight yourself can easily be |
| wouldn't be so bold as to say that I still won't learn | | | | done and save you money. Saving money is the key |
| something new down the road. I always tell my | | | | phrase here, and trying to minimize the little mistakes |
| customers that it doesn't matter how many times | | | | and think about as much as you possibly can upfront |
| you design, build, or remodel your own home you will | | | | so that you're not having to add or re-do things that |
| always think you've thought of everything, and in the | | | | will end up costing you additional time and money. Be |
| end you will still wind up saying, I wish we had done | | | | smart, spend a few dollars up front prior to the |
| that differently, or we should have done this or we | | | | commencement of your project and consult with a |
| should have done that. | | | | design and construction consultant. You'll want to be |
| Most of the time we are so excited about moving | | | | comfortable with the consultant you choose because |
| forward that little things that should be part of the | | | | you will want to know that you can call him or her at |
| plans or specifications get neglected. We all want to | | | | any time during your construction. Trust me, the |
| get our plans into the city for review as soon as | | | | difference between ripping your hair out or enjoying |
| possible, and this can often turn out to be a long and | | | | what you are doing yourself, is just taking the time |
| arduous process. It's at this time that I suggest you | | | | to sit down with a consultant who knows what he is |
| take the time to sit down with your plans and pick | | | | doing and is familiar with all those little things I talk |
| out all the finishes such as decorating, landscaping, | | | | about. |
| etc. so that when the project does start most of | | | | |