an aging parent to move in several years down the road or anticipating renting your home while you travel after retirement may also guide your decisions this year.
you’ll want to begin in the spring when you can tackle weeds and eliminate grass. It’s also a good time to level the ground while it’s soft from the spring thaw. Haul and spread sand before the hot weather rolls, as well. If you wait until the first swimmable days, it could be weeks, or even next season, before your pool is ready for use. Schedule contract work early. Most companies who work in the home improvement industry have overloaded calendars during the summer. If your project needs to be handled during the high season, you’ll want to get on the calendar early. Make the calls in January or February and get your bids lined up. It can often take a few weeks to make the initial decision about what contractors you’ll use. Also talk to your contractor about material availability. With every industry still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be surprised by how long it takes to get some materials, appliances or specialty tools.
Consulting online resources can give you a general idea of what to expect, but local bids andmaterial costs will give you the most accurate estimation. Budget one project at a time, and use a line-item analysis to help break the task into smaller parts. For example, a kitchen remodel will need line items for cabinets, flooring, electrical, plumbing, light fixtures, appliances, tile, countertops and paint. Those costs will vary depending on whether you’re hiring out for the entire job, handling part of the work yourself or tackling the entire project DIY style.
Timelines Large projects like a kitchen
renovation or garage conversion become muchmore manageable when you break up the work into seasonal goals. Consider which parts of the project can be completed during which seasons and how your work will affect the livability of that part of your home.
Plan a Season Ahead
Short and Long-term Goals
Plan one season ahead whenever possible.
Life events and long-termplanning are another key consideration when it comes to mapping out what projects you’ll tackle throughout the year. For example, if you plan to put your house on the market at the beginning of summer, prioritize the items on your list that will help you achieve that goal. Other short-term goals such as hosting a wedding or preparing for a child to move back home will also affect your timeline. Long-termgoals, such as maintaining the home for resale 10 years into the future, planning for
For example, if you plan to set up an above-ground pool,
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