What to do when a PROJECT STALLS
Upon embarking on a home improvement project , homeowners who have never before lived through such undertakings are often told to expect their projects to take more time than initial estimates suggested . Unforeseen complications can compromise project timelines , and some homeowners may find their projects stuck in neutral . Stalled projects can make life at home difficult , and homeowners may feel helpless . But there are ways for homeowners to get stalled projects back on course .
• Start off on solid financial footing . It ’ s important that homeowners who want to upgrade their homes enter the home improvement process with a realistic grasp of their finances . Many home improvement projects stall when homeowners run out of money . Homeowners can avoid such unfortunate situations by only beginning a project they know they can afford . Whether funding a project with a loan or savings or a combination of both , homeowners should make an honest assessment of what they can afford to commit to a given project . If the amount of money available does not add up to the estimated cost of the project , delay the project now or you might be facing a stalled project down the road .
• Honestly assess whether or not you can finish the job . Do-it-yourselfers may have the abilities to complete a project , but they should not let their pride get in the way of their ultimate goal , which is the completion of the project . In addition to money , time or lack thereof , is often the culprit behind stalled projects . Homeowners with full-time jobs , families or both may not be able to find the time to complete a job in a timely fashion . If the project has been stuck in neutral and no sudden windfall of free time is on the horizon , start contacting contractors to finish the job for you .
• Ask for help . There ’ s no shame in asking for help to complete a project . Some homeowners may underestimate the scope of a project until it ’ s too late . Asking family , friends or neighbors for help might be the only way to get a stalled project back on track . Certain home improvement projects may not require advanced skills , and even friends or family with little or no home improvement experience can pitch in to complete such projects . When more advanced projects stall , homeowners may want to hire contractors to complete the work . If budgets have not left much room for hiring a contractor , homeowners can perform some of the labor on their own .
• Be mindful of permits . Some home improvement projects require permits , and these permits often have expiration dates . Homeowners must keep permits in mind when projects start to stall , recognizing that they may need to reapply for permits if projects go unfinished for especially long periods of time . Stalled home improvement projects can be a nightmare . But homeowners can address such delays in various ways to get projects back on track .
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