How can I prioritize my honey-do list?

~~If you are like most people, your honey-do list far outweighs your available time. To conquer the list, it is helpful to prioritize your home improvement projects. While you may be eager to turn that dreary basement into an entertainment room that is the envy of the neighborhood, it would be wiser to focus on some of the less glamorous items on your list first. Sure, fixing that leaky gasket won’t give you bragging rights in the way that your first bash in your new entertainment room will, but getting the structural repairs out of the way will ensure that your new pool table doesn’t become a swimming pool when your basement springs a leak.

~~Home improvement television programs can inspire you to tackle your own home makeover, but before you start knocking down walls, it is important to remember that those perfect transformations really are made for TV, with a team of experts directing the work and film editing making sure that the projects are wrapped up in an hour. In reality, home improvement projects can take unexpected turns, hit snags, and encounter delays. One of the best ways to trim that honey-do list is to call in reinforcements. Honey-do becomes honey-call-a-professional. Be realistic about your skills and determine which projects you can handle on your own and hire a professional for the rest. Once you’ve determined what needs to be done and who is going to do it, you’ll need to add some order to your list by prioritizing your projects.

~~Safety First:The top priorities on your honey-do list should be items that have safety implications. Some projects that fall into this category include installing/maintaining smoke alarms and replacing faulty wiring.While you can probably handle the smoke alarms on your own, hiring an electrician may be the best solution for faulty wiring.

~~Think Like A Builder:Home Builders start the construction process by pouring the foundation, framing the house, and installing the roof. Your next round of home improvement priorities should follow the same logic, with the goal of ensuring that the infrastructure is safe, solid and weatherproof. This outside-in approach will safeguard your home from water damage and eliminate any other problems that can ruin your future entertainment room of the year. Fix any cracks or leaks in the foundation and inspect and repair your roof.

~~Moving Inside:Now that the exterior elements of your home have been repaired, your next priorities should be addressing potential health hazards such as asbestos, lead, and air quality. You may want to consider hiring a professional for these items to ensure that all work is done to code. Examine bathrooms and kitchens for signs of leaking pipes and fixtures, and check drywall and subflooring for water damage and decay.

~~Now What?At this point, you will need to determine which projects are most important to you. If your goal is to save money, you should focus on projects that reduce energy and water consumption. If you can't look at the wallpaper in the bedroom one more day, then by all means get to work on tearing it down. If your desire for a state-of-the-art basement entertainment room just can't be contained any longer, then start creating the room of your dreams. After all the work you’ve done up until this point, you've earned it.