How to Get Home Projects Done

There are many TV shows which are aimed at the “do-it-yourself” viewers. Many people want to get their hands dirty and try to build, repair or remodel their homes. That’s a great notion. Sometimes people feel overwhelmed when they look at all their projects left half-done. They don’t know where to start. They just look away and forget them.

I’ve been down that road. It’s a sickness with a cure. Some walls are partially painted or have paint samples streaks. In another putty’s still drying after six months! Spackle dries in about an hour. There’s no need to ensure it’s bone-dry. If you look up there may be a chandelier dangling from a wire and hanger (that’s dangerous too with the power back “on.” The chaos keeps going.

Why aren’'t these type of jobs finished after several months? For most, it boils down to one word -- procrastination. No one likes to be diagnosed with this disease or claim it, but that’s really what’s going on. There are ways to get out of the cycle of procrastination. It involves a little prep work, but you’ll see results.

Let’s not waste time talking about what should or could have been done. Here’s the bottom line. Things were left incomplete, you want to see results. There are two ways to approach any project. Either you can email to some of those TV shows which help you to finish those many projects, or you can keep reading and get ‘er done.

Here’s the recipe to get organized and pull yourself out of procrastination:

1. Survey all the projects you have in your home. This is actually the most difficult part. This list must be lengthy. Think of it as brainstorming. What you don’t want is to become overwhelmed with the thought of having a lot of things to do. Forget that. Don’t think about the end. Just write. And write. Make that list by walking from one area of your house to another. Take your time. You need details.
2. Become honest with yourself. Most projects are incomplete for two main reasons. There either wasn’'t enough time or knowledge. Take a piece of paper and fold it in half. Now, on the left side write: “I can do this.” On the right side write: “Get help.” Next add the projects where they fit. It’s not necessary to provide the details from the survey. Just a few words.
3. Chart how to get work done. Take your “I can do this” section and write it on another piece of paper. At the end of each project, make an estimate of how long you believe each project will take. Give yourself a little extra time. Projects do usually take more time than estimated. If you have replace the trap under your bathroom sink, jot down an hour. Then, list some tools and supplies of what you need.
4. Take a breather. What you should have is a detailed list. Look at your projects’ needs and think about them. Consider: Do you want to get them done in a single 8 hour day? Do you want to stretch jobs over several weeks? Are you trying to get your home together before a holiday when you’ll have guests? What project is costing you money as you put it off ? Let these considerations stew.
5. Focus on your priorities. Now, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get dirty. Rewrite your list in an order of priority. Start with those projects which are easy to complete and are costing you money. A leak will add to your water bill. Installing a washer is a quick fix which will stop straining your wallet. Next, in terms of priorities, list those projects which will take little time. You want to check off as many items on your list. The easiest way is to do the fast jobs. You wrote the estimated time to complete the jobs. Now, you can tell people that you’ll be busy for the next four hours working.
6. Get to work. With your list, drive a hardware store or mega store and get all the supplies and necessary tools needed. If you need an extra hand, don’t be afraid to ask a friend or relative who will listen to your directions. You don’t need someone who’ll debate with you to use their way. Soon you’ll see and end to your homework laziness. If some of the projects take a little longer than you guessed, that’s fine. Don’t beat up yourself. Just keep working. If you need another day, take it! Get those projects done though. This is the ultimate goal.
7. Get back to the right side of the second list. Now, when you look around your home, you should see many finished sites. Feel proud. The last thing to do is to pay someone who has more experience. Start with the least expensive jobs and work your way up.

Be patient, check references, and ask questions. Also, whatever you do, don’t pay anyone for a job at the beginning. Lastly, unless you plan to be on a court TV show, put your agreement down on paper with both signatures. It’s your home and investment. Things must be done right.

This time consuming approach involves doing a little homework for your home work, but these steps will help pull you out of the funk of excuses about completing the all those projects. Now, go get things done right.