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Sunday, 24 August, 2008 0:36 AM
There is Hope
for Improving or Replacing Your Home In The Current Market!
5 Tips
on How to Save 20% - 40% of Your Costs
Photo
courtesy of www.lasvegasbuyeragent.com
Many people
feel they are “stuck” with their home due to the housing
market. They want to improve it, expand it, update it, or even replace
it with a new home. Is there a way to save thousands on the project?
Can it increase the value of the home, or make it more livable?
Professional Project Manager, and author of the new book "Contract
It Yourself" ( www.contractityourself.com
), Kevin Nixon offers 5 tips to make remodeling or rebuilding a
home cost-effective.
1. Be the
Contractor/Project Supervisor Yourself. You don’t have to
hire a professional; you can wear that important hat yourself. For
example, in a $300,000 project, you can save the $60,000 to $120,000
you would pay a contractor.
2. Use the
Building Department to Prevent Costly Mistakes. The Building Department
will verify plans, give advice on every aspect of the building or
remodeling job and make sure you are not violating codes –
all before you invest a dime. These City or County employees know
the requirements of a potential project cold. Have them review a
sketch outlining your plan. If you are building, you can check on
the legal use of the land you want to purchase, zoning, etc. Once
you have approval on a basic plan, it is easy to get a draftsman’s
or architect’s drawing to execute the project and obtain the
permits to start your job!
3. Use Licensed,
Bonded and Insured Contractors. While you supervise the job, you
need professional sub-contractors to do the actual work. NEVER skimp
with an unlicensed non-professional. You need pros to get the results
you want, and to meet requirements of your lender. Your lender will
also advise of any other requirements you must meet to keep your
lender happy and funds flowing.
4. Work
Out a Timeline and Budget for Each Step of the Project. Outline
each step you or the “sub” will take, in what sequence
and how much time & money is planned for each part of the job.
Lining up your sub-contractors and overseeing how they are progressing
on the timeline helps you eliminate long waiting periods, missing
steps, or overlapping sequences. Be sure to include scheduling inspections;
those all-important officials can stop your work or help you keep
it flowing.
5. Purchase
Your Own Materials. You can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars
with this tip, while keeping to the quality you desire. This does
not mean buying lumber or other building items best left to the
sub-contractor. Picking out and directly purchasing appliances,
fixtures, flooring and such can save a bundle. Watch for sales;
buy seasonal items early; use “scratch and dent” when
flaws won’t show. With these simple steps you can find high-end
goods at tract housing prices.
As Nixon
says, “By acting as your own construction manager you can
save thousands of dollars without driving a single nail! It is simple
and requires no previous construction experience. If you have basic
organizational skills and the willingness to save a huge amount
of cash – you can!”
About Kevin Nixon
Nixon has
been in the construction business since he started painting apartments
after school at age 13! He has been employed full-time in construction
since 1983, starting as a carpenter, eventually learning every area
of the industry. He has owned his own remodeling business, and is
currently a Project Manager in Arizona.
Nixon’s
book is available at www.contractityourself.com.
Source: News and Experts
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