Lesson 2: Preparation is the Key to Success!
The Budget
One of the most critical steps in preparing to redecorate, no matter how small or how large your project, is to determine how much money you plan to spend. Because we are interested in do-it-yourself projects, we will not discuss large scale projects which entail home improvement loans, finding contractors, negotiating prices, etc.
We're going to be doing our own labor, purchasing our own materials, and trying to save money without sacrificing quality.
Nonetheless, you need to sit down and realistically determine how much you can afford for materials, as well as budgeting your time and labor. Additions to your furniture and accessories must be included. If preliminary structural work, like electric or plumbing changes, will be part of the remodeling, this is a good time to find out how much a professional contractor will charge to do the work. Electrical and plumbing work should always be done by a professional, who can also help you with obtaining any necessary permits. If you can, get two or three estimates, and ask for references. Be sure you are specific about the work to be done. Avoid the "while you're here, could you..." which will increase your costs.
Will you need special tools for the work you plan to do? These might include a miter-box and saw, wallpapering tools, etc. For a good overview of the tools every do-it-yourselfer should have in the home toolbox, read Basic Tools for the Budget Decorator.
To estimate the amount of paint you'll need for your room, here is an excellent Paint Calculator at the Paint Quality Institute site. A chart showing rough estimates of wallpaper rolls you'll need for typical room sizes can be found at Imperial Home Decor Group.
Be realistic when doing your budget. If you set the budget too high, you'll be tempted to spend more than you can afford, and if you set it too low, you risk being unable to complete the project properly. Set aside about 15% for unexpected problems, delays, hard-to-find or custom-made products, and unforeseen changes.
It's better, of course, to have saved the money you need for your estimated expenses, rather than depending on credit cards. A home-improvement store account is a mixed blessing. You may get a better interest rate by finding a competitive home-improvement loan from your bank. Remember that the increased value you are creating in your home is a wise investment!
