First things to do before starting a new project
Nothing is more exciting than the idea of taking on a seriously impressive project. You can probably already feel the satisfaction that you’ll get watching it all take shape. Whether it’s just popped into your head or it’s that dream project that you’ve been putting off for far too long, you’re finally ready to tackle it head on. Well, hold your horses. A big project isn’t the kind of thing that you can just rush into. You need to make sure that you know exactly what you’re doing before you even pick up a tool. After all, the bigger the project, the more things can go wrong. So here are three things you need to do before starting any large project.
Find out the real scope of the project
Depending on the task at hand, there might be way more to the project than first meets the eye. If you’re doing some large scale construction, then you need to think about what you might need to think about before you ever lay the first brick. Something like excavation could be a big hurdle for a lot of projects, so it’s worth looking into a company that can assist you. Modular Cubed are experienced excavation contractors, click here to find out more. Even if your project isn’t quite that significant, make sure that you plan out the entire process from beginning to end in order to figure out how long it will take and how much work you’re actually going to have to put in.
Calculate your budget
If you’re not careful, even the most modest DIY project can get you into the position of spending far more money than you originally intended. That’s why setting out a clear and strict budget is such an important step. Make sure that you know exactly how much all of the materials and equipment will cost you beforehand, as well as the cost of any work that you’ll have to outsource to a professional. It’s also a really good idea to set a minimum and maximum budget. That way you have some wiggle room over exactly what you’ll need to spend. Your minimum budget should be how much you will definitely have to spend, even if everything works out as cheaply as possible and you don’t run into any problems. Your maximum should be there for the worst case scenario that lots of things go wrong. That way you’ve always got that cushion for when your project inevitably falls somewhere between the two.
Check that it’s all legal
Some big projects will require specific licenses and permits to undertake. Loft conversions that require a change to the roof structure will need a licensed tradesman to handle it and extensions to your home will often require planning permission. Make sure that you’re actually in a legally safe position to undertake your project before you start it. If not, you could end up having to stop the entire thing or worse, end up facing a hefty fine.