Want surround sound or a hard wired internet network in your new house or the old house you are renovating? Do not forget to tell your contractor about it before the dry wall goes up. This is a seemingly easy job when there is no cover on the wall and all or the studs are in clear view. In contrast, this can be a very irritating and daunting task if the drywall is up and the work is finished. Most of my friends have put the network/speaker wire in themselves before drywall, but this is an easy task for your electrician if you choose not to do it yourself…just don’t forget to let everyone know your intentions. A few other things to think about in this stage of your new house/ renovation are plumbing, extra electrical outlets, lighting, extra ceiling fans..etc. It is good practice to get all the stuff in your wall that you can while it is easy, even if you will not use them for a year or two. The installation for these items is much more cost efficient (at least 50% less) before the drywall is up. One more note on this stage of your project, if you plan to hang cabinets anywhere in your house at a later date (office, laundry room, bedroom) put up some extra blocking between your studs to make your cabinet hanging easier. Note the area somewhere you will not forget, and when you go to hang your cabinets you will not have to wonder whether you are going to hit wood or not.

Hope this is helpful, as usual, if you have something to add please comment
Luke

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Ever seen that awesome tool shown on TV for $19.95. You know the one that cuts everything even tomatoes, and if you buy it right now you can have two and maybe even a carrot peeler. Most of this stuff is less cutting edge and more hungry for your wallet. This is not to say that occasionally there will be a tool or wingding of some sort that really is useful and not a total waste of money. I fell for one of these adds once, it was for this amazing paint roller edger thing. I got to the job and was appropriately chastised by everyone associated with me, but I decided I knew better and I was going to show them this amazing thing that would save us thousands of dollars on man hours. Needless to say I was wrong, not only was I a laughing stock walking in with my tool, I was also one going to throw my new found treasure into the dumpster. What is the moral…If QVC has to sell it, it might be nice to look at, but its probably not useful in the way you thought it would be. A good test is to wait and see if the hype makes it all the way to the hardware store. Then ask a sales associate what he thinks (usually these guys get paid by the hour not paid to blow smoke). Now, if DeWalt, Delta, or PorterCable come out with a new tool, that’s a different story. First thing you notice, it doesn’t need 30 min on QVC to sell it. Is this an indication that this tool will save the world from 10 hr workdays, no, and it will probably put you back more than $19.95. Again, ask someone that has experience with the tool (hands on is best), this will save you time and money.

This is just a quick tip for tool buyers…I have made all kinds of bad tool decisions based on advertising and just the desire to buy the newest thing. Remember when you are looking at new tools think – how will I use this? – do I need it? – do I have the money? – can I use this more than once? – can I buy it used?

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