| Do you have a home-improvement project coming | | | | may actually pay you to have someone else do the |
| up? Lots of people today are taking on almost any | | | | work while you are still earning money. Just keep in |
| home-improvement project you can think of on their | | | | mind that any home-improvement job is probably |
| own. But before you begin, here are five questions | | | | going to take you longer to accomplish than the |
| that you need to ask yourself. | | | | average professional, and you should plan accordingly. |
| 1. Do I really know how to do this? -- yes, it's | | | | 4. Do I have the necessary equipment? -- there are |
| tempting to just jump in with both feet and tackle | | | | several jobs around the home that require special |
| any home-improvement job that comes along. After | | | | equipment to accomplish. Of course, you can |
| all, it's going to save money if you do it yourself, | | | | probably rent almost any tool that you will ever need. |
| right? Not necessarily. There are some jobs around | | | | But that gets very expensive very fast. So if you |
| the home that demand much more skill than others. | | | | have a budget for each home improvement project |
| For instance if you don't really know what you're | | | | that you tackle, make sure that you have figured in |
| doing with plumbing or electrical systems, you could | | | | the cost for any specialized tools that will be needed |
| not only cost yourself a lot of money, but you could | | | | before you get started. Another solution is to check |
| also get hurt. So think long and hard before starting | | | | among your network of friends and family to see if |
| those kind of home-improvement projects on your | | | | any of them might have the tools that you need. |
| own. | | | | 5. Is this job allowed? -- some projects are simply |
| 2. Do I have enough experience? -- other home | | | | going to have to require a permit in order to be legal. |
| improvement projects, such as plastering, aren't | | | | Don't ever try to complete a project without a |
| necessarily difficult to do, but they do require a | | | | permit if the laws require it in your area. It can be |
| certain amount of talent and experience in order to | | | | irritating and frustrating to have to get your plans |
| make the finished product come out right. So if you | | | | approved before you get started, but it just simply |
| care about the way the job is going to look when it | | | | has to be done. |
| is done, make sure that you have the experience | | | | One of the biggest problems that homeowners face |
| needed before you start. | | | | when they start out on do it yourself home |
| 3. Do I have the time to finish this job? -- a lot | | | | improvements is the lack of proper planning. Don't let |
| depends on your daily schedule. If you have nothing | | | | that happen to you. Before starting any project, ask |
| but time on your hands, it may not matter how long | | | | yourself the five questions listed above and they will |
| this job takes. On the other hand, if you work for a | | | | help you start out on the right foot. |
| living, and are doing this in your spare time, then it | | | | |