Get out a couple sheets of paper or a white board.

At OTB, we experience 3 phases of work requests from people, starting about this time of year.  The “early birds”, either because they want to make sure they are on our schedule or because they put it off too long last year (Feb-Apr); the “OK lets do its”, who have decided its time to do that project finally (May-Aug); and the “OMG its September alreadys”, no explanation needed.  Even being contractors, we find ourselves in all 3 groups from time to time. 

So here is a good exercise as we look at the early spring rains soaking our lawns.  Make a list now of as many of the improvements you can think of that you would like to have around your place.  Maybe take a walk together around the inside and outside of your house.  They can be interior or exterior, big or small.  Next, prioritize them so you know the few you really should focus on to make your lives better this year.  Go through and tick off the ones that you need a professional to help with.  Finally, order the tasks by month from now to Thanksgiving, along with an estimate of how long each might take.  While you’re on a roll, you might even list some materials or special items you might need for each project.

Once you have that strategy in hand, you should first go ahead and qualify any professionals you need help with to narrow down your selections for each of your projects.  Do it now and be an early bird.  You’ll thank me.  Even if you won’t need them until July, select a couple in each trade that you think you could work with and vet them.  Contact your selected ones to see what they advise as far as scheduling the work with them for later in the year.  They may say to call back when its closer to actually starting, or they may want to come out now and look at things with you.  Either way, you’ll be planting the seed in their minds for later.

Why do this in February?  Because we are in a very busy time and area for the trades right now.  There is an historic level of demand for contracting and trade work, especially in the Seattle area.  There are far fewer tradespeople than there are projects.  Getting an early start on selecting a company, and letting them know you want to be on their schedule for this year, goes a long way toward making sure you aren’t saying “OMG, its September already…”.