5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a New Home Project

Make sure you're fully prepared to tackle that next thing on your honey-do list by asking yourself these questions first.

Who among us hasn't got knee deep into a new project only to realize you're missing a part or what you thought might work, won't? If you're like us, that can definitely throw off your ability to stay on a schedule to get that project completed in a timely manner. However, doing a bit of forward planning can really go a long way in making sure you're prepared for that next task. Below we've gathered our top five questions we ask ourselves before starting any new project.

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1. Can I do it myself?

Big egos aside, is this really something you have the skills to do on your own? Or is it a task that professionals are needed for? And even if you can do it yourself, do you feel comfortable doing it?

While at first a project might look like something you can't do on your own, you might find that you actually do have the skills to complete the task.

A little research into your project can go a long way. While at first a project might look like something you can't do on your own, you might find that you actually do have the skills to complete the task. That being said, make sure you're following building code as well as taking all necessary safety precautions.

2. How have other people done it?

Like we mentioned earlier, a project might look really daunting at first, and you feel like you're in no way qualified to complete that task. However, figuring out how others have completed this project or a similar one can give you the confidence to tackle it on your own. We do a TON of research before we start any new project. This not only helps us decide if this is something we can feasibly do on our own (see question 1), but it also gives us an idea of exactly how we want to execute this task.

There's a lot of leeway in completing home projects that you'll want to think about when planning. We recently redid our master bathroom countertops by painting them (read more here). We knew we couldn't afford flat out replacing them yet, but we saw a lot of other people had success painting them. We researched for what felt like ages, and went back and forth between different methods. After thinking more about our skills and also how we wanted the finished product to look, we decided to go with the Giani Countertop paint kit.

It's amazing what a bit of research can do to find a tutorial to create a look that's in your price range, while still achieving the style you're going for. We've shown our countertops to multiple people who can't believe they're painted!

3. What supplies and tools do I need?

As you start further planning of your project, it's important to consider all of the supplies and tools you'll need to complete this project. But you might also consider if there are alternatives to the supplies that may be more affordable and give you the same look.

We found this out when we upgraded our knobs and handles in our master bathroom. They used to be the brushed nickel look, which really didn't give off the aesthetic we were going for. Rather than replacing all of the knobs and handles in our master bathroom, we instead spray painted them, after looking at several tutorials. Our plan is to eventually gut our bathroom, so it didn't make sense to spend a lot of money on knobs and handles that might not work with our next vanity.

If it's a tool you aren't ever going to use again, that seems extremely wasteful and not budget-friendly. So, it might be worth looking into alternative options for renting or borrowing from someone you know.

Tools can be so expensive. There are so many times we've looked into a project, but are hesitant to complete it because of the tools needed to do so. If it's a tool you aren't ever going to use again, that seems extremely wasteful and not budget-friendly. So, it might be worth looking into alternative options for renting or borrowing from someone you know.

4. Do I know others who can help complete this project?

Maybe it's a relative who you know has that expensive tool you need to complete one task and is willing to lend it to you, or a co-worker who just completed a similar project and can lend some advice. Either way, tap into the resources you already have in your network. It can make your project go much more smoothly and sometimes a lot cheaper!

We are definitely not afraid to ask for help, to borrow, or for advice! We tend to lean on Drew's dad when it comes to borrowing tools. We also ask Kirsten's dad for plenty of advice when it comes to projects (and asking him to do all of our caulking work! We probably need to practice more often for that). Bottom line, don't be afraid to ask the people around you. Sometimes just asking for other opinions will shed light on your worries.

5. Can I afford it?

Budget is always a concern for us. While we want to make sure our projects are done right, we also are on a tight budget. After you've completed your research and figure out what tools and supplies you will need, it's time to think about the cost. Depending on your style, it might make more sense to think about this first, rather than last, but we're both dreamers so we typically think up some crazy scheme, and then figure out if we can afford it last.

But that's the great thing about this list of questions. If you realize you can't afford this project the way you've planned to complete it, maybe you need to do more research. Maybe you can find a fix for now with the intention of upgrading in a few years.

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We hope these questions are helpful as you start thinking about your next honey-do. What other questions do you ask yourself when starting a new home project?