Careful Planning Can Smooth Project

Fri., Feb. 27, 1998

Nick Harder The Orange County Register

How many times have you stopped at a hardware store, a home center or a home furnishings store on impulse without first sizing up that home-improvement project that pulls you into the store in the first place? If you’re like me - who, at times, impulsively buys without sufficient planning - the answer is too many times.

Wouldn’t it be a lot easier on our pocketbooks and our projects if we did a little better job of planning, then took our plans along with us? I’ve made some strides toward that in recent years. If I can, you can, too.

So here are a few tips to ease your home-improvement shopping.

Measure at home. Get out your measuring tape and take exact measurements of the area you’re planning to change. Be sure to write down the numbers.

Draw it. This is especially important if the area is not a perfect square, rectangle or whatever.

For instance, if there are floor cabinets in the room, your drawing should reflect them. You may know the overall size of the room, but if the cabinets take up quite a bit of room, your square footage may be significantly affected.

Take it. Be sure to take the measurements and drawing with you when you head for the store. If you’re not going right away, put them in your car immediately.

Take your tape. Besides your measurements and drawing, take your tape measure with you to the store. It can pay off when you’re eyeballing what it is you want to purchase, giving you a better idea of how your project will look.

Take away. If what you’re shopping for is small enough to fit in your car or truck, no problem. However, if it’s between the delivery and easy-hauling stages, you’d better make plans before you leave home.

What kind of plans? For one, take tie-downs with you if you plan to carry the item atop your car or in the back of your pickup, where it could come loose.

Another tip: Take more tiedowns than you think you’ll need. It’s better to have a few extra than to have to buy additional tie-downs when the few you brought won’t do the job.

If there’s a chance the item you’re hauling will scratch your vehicle, take some old towels or an old blanket to place between your vehicle and the item.

Receipts. Keep your receipts! This is vital if you have to exchange or return an item. If it’s an item that will be a permanent part of your home, it can be deducted eventually from capital-gains taxes.

Local journalism is essential.

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