| Copyright (c) 2008 The Women's Tool Shed | | | | associated with your project) |
| There are countless adages that can be inserted here, | | | | - If you are working for others, don't pay others for the |
| but this is not the place for me to write another book. | | | | privilege of working for THEM; by giving your time and |
| Let it suffice to say, that any time you make a | | | | talents away. |
| decision based on saving money when building or | | | | - If you think it takes a day - give yourself a week. |
| remodeling, you run an extraordinarily high risk of it | | | | - Never start a plumbing job in the afternoon - and this |
| costing you more in both time and money. | | | | applies across the board to anything - that is just a |
| This rule is something you can count on to occur with | | | | statement that rings with authority! |
| more frequency than you can ever anticipate; allowing | | | | This list is the proverbial tip of the iceberg, but I think |
| you to be pleasantly surprised when you actually save | | | | you get the message I am trying to convey. |
| money by going with a less expensive choice. | | | | I once scheduled a day to remove a toilet and replace |
| This is not to say that you have to buy the most | | | | it. A week and a half later I finished that job after |
| expensive version either. I KNOW that I am not alone | | | | having to replace rotten floor joists, wall studs all the |
| in having experienced this lesson....REPEATEDLY! | | | | way behind the tub/shower, and up into the bathroom |
| These decisions apply to everything involved in building | | | | window. Then restore the bathroom to a finished |
| and remodeling, regardless of what phase you are in. | | | | product. |
| And always remember this...IF nothing else! NOTHING | | | | So you see what can happen to your other scheduled |
| is SIMPLE! | | | | jobs if you underestimate time and costs, whether |
| Truer words...blah, blah, blah. You get my drift here. We | | | | these are projects of your own or you are doing them |
| are not talking about the recently illuminating Law of | | | | for others. Remember to always approach each task |
| Attraction. Oh no! More accurately - The Law of | | | | or phase of your project humbly. |
| Murphy when it comes to construction. And this has | | | | The ones you tackle with vibrato and over confidence |
| nothing at all to do with being a woman, it happens to | | | | will be the ones that you will inevitably develop the |
| us all. I know whereof I speak. | | | | longest relationships with. Always over-estimate your |
| So here are some simple rules to keep in the forefront | | | | time. |
| of your thoughts as you embark on your building and | | | | This should help you avert the notion that cutting |
| remodeling projects... | | | | corners here and there - in time and money - will save |
| - If your estimate to do the job is $5,000 - bid $7,500 | | | | you both! |
| (you can do the math from here on any number | | | | L.L. |