| Have you ever had the experience of working with a | | | | and had a convenient diagram to help him with all of |
| contractor on a remodeling or building project and | | | | the details. |
| been disappointed with the result. Many people have. | | | | So quit talking and start measuring and drawing. |
| But this problem is avoidable. | | | | Great thinking and planning for a job will save you |
| One of the most important things to know about | | | | time and money before any work begins. Once you |
| contractors is that they are usually visual/spatial | | | | have the plan on paper don't change ANYTHING. |
| thinkers. They are good at interpreting drawings, but | | | | Little changes you make delay the work and cost |
| not great at interpreting verbal data. But think. How | | | | you more money. Planning and deciding things before |
| good are you at listening? It's too imprecise and open | | | | work starts is important in controlling costs. |
| to interpretation. | | | | Oh, if you're doing some work yourself even if it's |
| You can talk to someone all day long, but they may | | | | only buying new furniture, draw yourself a picture. |
| not get what you want them to do. | | | | That way you know the maximum furniture size for |
| I once refaced a kitchen over a weekend. A | | | | the space. You might even consider taping the layout |
| cabinetmaker made my doors without ever setting | | | | to the floor. It's a great visual tool. |
| foot in the kitchen. We measured and drew out | | | | So just decide, DRAW A PICTURE, and don't |
| every door and run of cabinetry. He worked from | | | | second-guess yourself. It will work a lot better. If |
| our picture and the work was perfect. Everything | | | | you can't draw find someone who can. Lots of |
| went in exactly as we hoped and planned. I never | | | | people can do it. It's more about measurements and |
| even met him but he did a great job. | | | | less about art. A quadrille pad of paper can help. It |
| What made it work was the picture. Talking to him | | | | has grid lines that can help you make a scale drawing. |
| would not have worked nearly as well. The pictures | | | | You'll find it helps you get what you want and control |
| really were worth a thousand words and saved us | | | | the costs. |
| big time and money. He knew exactly what I wanted | | | | |