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Discussion Forum

Getting stuff done at home

Biff_Loman | Posted in General Discussion on March 27, 2009 04:42am

Do you have any specific strategies for getting stuff done on your house?

I don’t think I need to explain why this is an issue. . .

Obviously, the first step is discipline. But sometimes discipline needs a little nudge. I’ve found a few things helpful.

I now have a bucket of “home tools” in the basement, which can get me started when the truck feels like a million miles away. In fact, this works so well that I’m starting to wonder if I shouldn’t start to create a whole “B team” of tools.

I use a LOT of heavy-duty ‘contractor’ garbage bags, then throw them out slowly at work. Like, one bag per dump-trailer load. This gets rid of perpetually full garbage cans (a plague on all my projects).

I’ve found that getting into a professional mode is pretty vital. Now, I make sure to wear my workshoes and toolbelt whenever I work on my house. It definitely helps me focus and keeps me from getting out of the zone.

Any other thoughts?

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Replies

  1. Waters | Mar 27, 2009 04:58am | #1

    Any other thoughts?

    Yeah... seems like you've got it down; can you come help me finish my kitchen?!

     

  2. USAnigel | Mar 27, 2009 05:19am | #2

    Would this be via the dirty company truck?

     

     

    Sorry had to ask!

  3. gfretwell | Mar 27, 2009 05:54am | #3

    You just have to treat it like any other job. Schedule "X" number hours a week and go at it like someone was paying you. Otherwise, bite the bullet and pay someone else.
    I try to put together 4 hour work periods and go like hell, then I take my wife for a boat ride, drink a cold beer and relax.

  4. User avater
    dedhed6b | Mar 27, 2009 06:34am | #4

    Playing carpenter and the housewife can become a reality.

    "Shawdow boxing the appoclipse and wandering the land"
    Wier/Barlow

  5. User avater
    jagwah | Mar 27, 2009 06:50am | #5

    When work gets slow I've thought how if I got my friend to come over and work with me on a project I'd get more done. Then when that project was done I'd go over to his house to help with his project. Timing is everything so this idea hasn't came about.

    But working with a friend seems like it would be a good morale booster to get things done.

     

     

  6. jimAKAblue | Mar 27, 2009 06:54am | #6

    I always hated those trips back and forth from the garage to the truck to the basement etc too when I worked at home. The big difference for me was that I was primarily a framing contractor and my toolset was specific to that task. I'd find that the projects at home were more of a remodeling and finish work nature so I could burn half a morning just finding a single tool, which I probably hadn't laid eyes on in three years or so.

    I also found that I couldn't focus without the workboots and apron on. Nowadays, it's the opposite...if I put workboots and an apron on, all I think about is the weight LOL!

    At some point, I got smart. I finished up a major remodel on the home where I raised my kids and moved to a finished home on a lake. Noticed that I said it was "finished". It really was a poorly remodeled cottage but I was smart enough to not tear it apart. Instead, I focused on finite tasks which I would start and finish before I started another. For instance, I removed a couple small walls in the kitchen and added a peninsula. When that was done, I laid ceramic. When that was done....etc.

    So, I think the key is to start small jobs and keep them small. Resist the temptation to expand the project. When you finish that small job, then look for another small job...and finish it!

    1. junkhound | Mar 27, 2009 03:06pm | #7

      I always hated those trips back and forth from the garage to the truck to the basement etc

      That's a good excuse for multiple tool sets. 

      Dont need most tools for business, but love garage sales so have 3 10" TS, 2 RAS, 3 bandsaws, 6 welders, 4 drill presses, >50 multimeters, hundreds of hammers and screwdrivers and wrench sets, about 10 routers , 20 sidewinders or so, countless drills, 7 complressors, etc. just so don't have to go between barn, house, garage, cabin, etc. <G>    Only one metal lathe, geared pipe threader, dump truck, and backhoe though, maybe need to watch for another backhoe and another gear head pipe threader would be convienient ??

      I think ponytl has a worse habit though ??

      1. jimAKAblue | Mar 28, 2009 06:55am | #8

        ....and I don't even own a cordless drill LOL!

        1. User avater
          IMERC | Mar 28, 2009 04:19pm | #10

          smart man... 

          Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

          WOW!!! What a Ride!

          Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

           

          "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

  7. brad805 | Mar 28, 2009 08:51am | #9

    Be realistic with the tasks you undertake and the timelines.   I assume you have a day job and you  might like to have a life, so take on reno's in steps.  You cannot burn the candle at both ends forever.   

    Always have a plan before you start.  By planning I dont mean genarlities, I mean material lists, layouts, sketches...   The pro's make things look easy for a reason.  Years of experience.  If you dont know what the plan is for the day/week you will sit around and mull things far too long. 

    Brad

  8. User avater
    IMERC | Mar 28, 2009 04:20pm | #11

    ''B'' team of tools...
    goferit!!!

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!


    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

     

    "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

  9. User avater
    IMERC | Mar 28, 2009 04:23pm | #12

    free trash service and dirty truck...
    you got a good start...

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!


    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

     

    "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

    1. Biff_Loman | Mar 28, 2009 11:57pm | #16

      Hey man, I do NOT abuse the dump trailer.

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Mar 29, 2009 01:26am | #17

        what the hay...
        a perk is a perk.... 

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

        WOW!!! What a Ride!

        Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

         

        "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

  10. User avater
    McDesign | Mar 28, 2009 04:23pm | #13

    Your DW like the "JUST-workboots-and-toolbelt look?"

    That can be inspiring . . .

     

    <edit> - DW says, "Kind of a Village-People-at-Home" look

     

    Forrest



    Edited 3/28/2009 2:25 pm ET by McDesign

  11. User avater
    Ted W. | Mar 28, 2009 08:56pm | #14

    Do you have any specific strategies for getting stuff done on your house?

    First, I DON'T go to the internet.

    Oh well, here goes another day down the drain. =)

    ~ Ted W ~

    Tool Auctions - MyToolbox.net
    See my work - TedsCarpentry.com

    1. brownbagg | Mar 28, 2009 09:02pm | #15

      turn off the computer, walk away man, walk away.......

  12. darrel | Mar 29, 2009 02:51am | #18

    Get a desk job where you spend 40 hours a week staring at a monitor.

    You can't WAIT to get on the ladder with a hammer when you get home after that.

  13. MikeSmith | Mar 29, 2009 02:55am | #19

    mine is  blonde  ,..........  about 5" 1 "

    Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
    1. Biff_Loman | Mar 29, 2009 02:58am | #20

      Heh.

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