What’s Your Project?
This is the question I try to answer on the daily with clients. When I come home and am seeking aesthetic improvements for my personal space, I must ask that question and it can be absolutely daunting!
Many times I listen to the ramblings of all that needs to be accomplished, accompanied of course by several tangents. The ranting continues as I wander aimlessly throughout the house with dissatisfaction in certain areas. Many times there is a blame game and the refereeing skills are needed to calm spousal disagreements.
The value of using a journal is key in so many areas as it can provide clarity for your goals. Projects are goals for your home! I’d like to say I’m competitive and always enjoy turning anything into a sporting match. Create a list of things that you would like to see changed for the better.
Introspectively jot down as many of your projects that come to your mind. After they are written down, the next step is to evaluate and prioritize on whether to tackle smaller or larger projects first and the amount that you can handle at a time. Take note of the estimated costs next to each one, even if it is just a guesstimate.
What’s your budget?
The first thing I do when meeting with a brand new client is ask them, “How much money do you have set aside or what’s your budget?” Rarely do I get a straight answer… [crickets chirping]… because most people simply have not given it much thought. The state of some people’s finances can be a low due to unfortunate or current circumstances or other people just do not want you to know. Many years ago, at the design company I used to work at, I sold a fine quality sofa by credit card for $35,000… Oops! I made the mistake of adding an extra zero while running the card. Designer math can be a little crazy! A few days later, the proper credit was made for the $3,500 sofa. Days and years passed and I still laugh at the thought that at least they were good for the money. Hee! Hee! It’s pleasant to know how much money you have and how you can allocate that into your life.
How much money will be dedicated to this specific project?
The word ‘dedicated’ sounds all-around more welcoming than ‘budgeted’. Spouses can disagree on these things. The wife wants drapes and then suddenly that is not a line item on the budget. I enjoy asking the husband to show me his line item for “techy” gadgets throughout the home by saying “Hey! What cool items are you dreaming of installing in the family room?“ The conversation then progresses to the size of the TV screen and there is no putting this lid back on the bottle. I then begin the negotiation process in order to achieve equal money distribution.
Let the projects begin! Coming up with a Project Plan is your next step, but first get out a pad and pen and write them down.