By Jerry R. Spumberg
The DIY Coach 

 

If some one is going to teach you the how and the why to accomplish a home improvement projects, you will need to qualify them as an expert.  Whether the project is basic home maintenance, repairs, remodeling, an addition, a deck, or building a home from the ground up, the expertise should be at lest equal to the scope of the project.  The question to ask the applicant is simple: What qualifies you for my project? The correct answer is not so simple!

 

There are people  that are my television heroes,  such as Mike Holmes, Tom Silver and Norman Abrams, who’s knowledge and practical experience have been built over many years, over a multitude of projects and countless challenging situations. What I find most interesting about professionals that love what they do is that they are life time learners as well as teachers.  

 

There is no one that is an expert in every single aspect of building, including my TV heroes. However, they know the right questions to ask and how to find the answers. There are some of us that have expertise in multiple trades and have a excellent general knowledge of the others. The most important trait in these people is they understand how every aspect of home building fits together.  The first thing that I would be looking at to evaluate a DIY Coach would be their background irregardless of the scope of the project.  I would also look for them to explain how they know the right questions to ask and when do they call in specialists?

 

If they have a web site, do they show a history and examples of their work?  What is the scope of their projects?  You should be looking for someone that has both the depth and breath of experience that  encompasses the projects you’re planning to consider. Do they have a flexible business model that meets your needs?  Are they teachers whose methods place the clients first and where costs are transparent?  Is there side by side evolvement when required?  Do they explain in detail the working relationship and do they have a contract?  Is it in plain English, that is detailed and reflects the representations made during their presentation?  Are they willing to give you references?  Does your gut feeling tell you that they will watch your back or that most of their concern is their own self interest?  

 

A few examples of the practices of my business, ”The Do It Yourself Coach, LLC.” are the following:

• We are available on an hourly bases as needed.
• The relationship is similar to an employer (the client) and an employee (the Coach).
• The client can terminate the relationship at any time.
• The Coach may not receive any gifts, commissions or kickbacks from vendors or subcontractors.
• We encourage the client to provide venders and subcontractors that they may know to participate in competitive bidding with other sources we might recommend.
• The client always makes the final purchasing decision.
• We strongly suggest a client does not begin a project until the bidding is as complete as possible for projects (emergency repairs sometimes are an exception).
• There is a small retainer and billing proceeds as the work progresses.
• No large advanced payment is required.
• Our rates are similar to handyman services.
• Everything is clear and defined in our contract.

There are many simple repairs and maintenance items that can be taught to you by a experienced handyman.  If you wanted to install cabinets or crown and classical built-up moldings, a finish carpenter/woodworker could best fit your needs.  I strongly recommend that if you have an electrical, plumbing, or heating problem that you feel even slightly uncomfortable with, the calling of a licensed expert may save you a lot of grief and maybe injury.

 

Many items can be self taught but to get professional results requires a learning curve that can be frustrating, time consuming, and costly if you make a mistake.  If you watch the television show Holmes on Homes you will learn that even people who call themselves “pros” as well as DIYers can really mess up a project.   A Coach can shorten the learning curve and still save you money.  They can ensure that things get done right by overseeing everyone, including professional subcontractors.

 

The items I just mentioned above require the learning of trade skills and can give you a great sense of accomplishment, be enjoyable, and add more value to your house then you spend when upgrading.  Learning to maintain your house helps maintain its value and will save you costly repairs in the future.

 

For more complex projects that may include finishing a basement, remodeling and expanding a kitchen, adding a bathroom, whole house remodeling, or building a house from the ground up, you need a DIY Coach.  They can teach and direct you in the administration and business aspects of the project.  This includes purchasing, bookkeeping, budget development, and project development including plans, specifications, bidding practices, contracts, scheduling, and cash flow needs.  He will teach and help you understand how all of the pieces fit together in addition to trade skills.  He will bring years of experience and knowledge of best practices to supervise and coordinate your project.  He will do those parts of the project that you don’t have the time, knowledge, skills, or tools for.  He will help you decide when it’s best to use subcontractors.

 

A final smart tip from my father, who was one of my teachers: “You can tell much about a journeyman by his tools. The quality, condition, and the variety”.  When I look in my tool box or bucket I see a pair of channel lock pliers that my dad gave me many years ago.  Hand tools that represent the best designs in the last hundred years and power tools that are professional grade.  All have been maintained.  My shop is on our web site; have a look. A great coach should own the right  tools he needs to do his job.

Without the investment that I made in tools and machinery, I could not be an adequate DIY Coach.  Of course this collection was built over my career as a builder and contractor.  However every time I find a jig that makes doing things easier, I buy it and learn how to use it, so I can teach it to clients.  This represents my commitment to my clients when we say; “We’ll do it for you or with you. You can do it for yourself but, you don’t have to do it by yourself”.     

Is it all worth it? Please go to our web site thediycoachusa.com  and read about “9 Home Improvement Facts That Can Save You A Bundle of Dollars” and ”Planning and Objectives”.  You decide! It’s not about luck, it’s about knowledge!  Here’s to success on your next project.

 

May The Coach Be With You,

    Coach Jerry