Keep Your Project On Track
Sometimes projects can drag on and become more of a burden than a fun adventure. Normally this is due to normal life getting in the way, running into road blocks or unexpected work along the way. All are valid concerns as I have been there myself and have helped others through the same challanges.
From my experiance the true key to keeping your project moving is keeping a good schedule that is realistic, ordering materials for delivery when you need them and having a contact number of someone who you trust in the construction world. That could be a contractor friend, inspector or relative.
Set realistic goals and working schedule. Maybe that is after work hours in the evenings or only on weekends. Try not to over do it, but also plan enough time to be projective. To much time into your project can lead to burnout but not enough can make the project seem like it never goes anywhere. For myself, I have always tried to dedicate at least one day during the weekend to my home project and then whatever time I can find during the weekdays, even if its just order materials or just thinking about my project.
Having materials onsite are essential. Nothing kills a good day of work better than missing the materials you need. There have been times where I have needed to run to the hardware store multiple times in one day to get the right part, tool or material to move foward on my project and those days turn into long work days.
I have a good friend in the contruction world that has spent many years in construction and even though I, myself, live in that world as well I will contact him for advise or ideas on challenges I may have. By having this person to lean on, it allows me to keep moving and not get caught up on waiting for the right solution to my issue.
As soon as you hit a road block or realize you have to do a bunch of work you weren't expecting and arent prepared for, your project becomes more of a headache than a learning experiance. Dont let that happen, get your self on a good working schedule, get your materials ordered and lean on someone who has done it before!
You can also download my free interactive building schedule with suggestions on when to order certain materials, call for inspections and seqences to moving from one part of the project to another. I used this schedule to building multiple houses and townhouses over the years and I hope that if its something you need it will lead you down the right path.
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