Planning for your home project – whether you are going to do it yourself or hire an expert – can be stressful and time-consuming if you don’t know how to approach it. Estimating the amount of lumber and building supplies you need – and determining what it will cost – can be a stressful process.
But fear not, we’ve got some tips to help you get prepared for pricing out your next project with a lumber supply company. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been through this process before, these tips are simple, easy to execute steps that will help the process go smoothly, saving you time and headaches.
Determine the physical size of your project
This might seem self-evident, but you’d be surprised how many people skip right over this before going to the lumber supplier or contacting a contractor. All you need to start is a simple two-dimensional calculation of the space you intend to build in. A task easily accomplished with a measuring tape, a pencil and a piece of paper. Once you have your measurement multiply length times width (or height) and that will give you your rough square footage, an invaluable tool in the process of getting your project estimated.
Take pictures
People tend to learn visually, including your contractor and the folks at your local lumber supply company. Taking a picture – or better yet, pictures – of where you plan to build helps both you and the people you’ll be working with visualize your plan. The pros may notice something that you don’t and offer suggestions on how you might improve your plan, or caution you about potential roadblocks that may pop up, all based on what your property and your proposed space look like.
Do some research
Researching your project, for both costs and ideas, is a great way to hone in on what you want and what you need. Many lumber supply companies, including J&W Lumber, put out advertisements that list pricing for lumber. Getting an idea of how much materials cost can help you choose which type of materials you want, and which you can afford. Researching websites of lumber distributors, or checking out sites like Pinterest can help you get inspired and come up with new ideas. There are endless possibilities of what you can do with your home project. Doing some research will help you develop your own style and plan.
Know what you want – and be honest with yourself
After doing some research, you’ll likely feel inspired and ready to run to get your lumber and building supplies. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Before you’re ready to estimate your project, it’s important to determine exactly what you want – and it’s important to be realistic about your budget.
Consider what style you want, which materials are “must haves” and which you don’t really need.
Consider your timeline – does your project need to be done by a certain date? How will this affect your plan? Will you hire a contractor or do the job yourself?
All of these factors will play into the budget. Try to be as thorough as you can – and get some help if you need it. A contractor or your local lumber yard can help you out if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Check out the Lumber Yard Checklist for more info on what to have on hand before heading to J&W Lumber.
Bring the decision maker
Bringing along the decision maker – generally your spouse and/or your contractor – will help you save time and avoid confusion. With all the project stakeholders present, you’ll be able to zero in on exactly what you want out of your project, how much you’re willing to spend, and what materials you’ll need. At J&W Lumber, our team will work with you to nail down the finer details and get you ready to kick off your project with the right materials, and a budget that works for you.