There are countless adages that can be inserted here, but this is not the place for me to write another book. Let it suffice to say, that any time you make a decision based on saving money when building or remodeling, you run an extraordinarily high risk of it costing you more in both time and money.



This rule is something you can count on to occur with more frequency than you can ever anticipate; allowing you to be pleasantly surprised when you actually save money by going with a less expensive choice.

This is not to say that you have to buy the most expensive version either. I KNOW that I am not alone in having experienced this lesson....REPEATEDLY! These decisions apply to everything involved in building and remodeling, regardless of what phase you are in.

And always remember this...IF nothing else! NOTHING is SIMPLE!

Truer words...blah, blah, blah. You get my drift here. We are not talking about the recently illuminating Law of Attraction. Oh no! More accurately - The Law of Murphy when it comes to construction. And this has nothing at all to do with being a woman, it happens to us all. I know whereof I speak.

So here are some simple rules to keep in the forefront of your thoughts as you embark on your building and remodeling projects...

- If your estimate to do the job is $5,000 - bid $7,500 (you can do the math from here on any number associated with your project)

- If you are working for others, don't pay others for the privilege of working for THEM; by giving your time and talents away.

- If you think it takes a day - give yourself a week.

- Never start a plumbing job in the afternoon - and this applies across the board to anything - that is just a statement that rings with authority!

This list is the proverbial tip of the iceberg, but I think you get the message I am trying to convey.

I once scheduled a day to remove a toilet and replace it. A week and a half later I finished that job after having to replace rotten floor joists, wall studs all the way behind the tub/shower, and up into the bathroom window. Then restore the bathroom to a finished product.

So you see what can happen to your other scheduled jobs if you underestimate time and costs, whether these are projects of your own or you are doing them for others. Remember to always approach each task or phase of your project humbly.

The ones you tackle with vibrato and over confidence will be the ones that you will inevitably develop the longest relationships with. Always over-estimate your time.

This should help you avert the notion that cutting corners here and there - in time and money - will save you both!

Copyright (c) 2008 The Women's Tool Shed