Project planning articles
Practical details, worked examples, and the questions to ask before you buy.
Planning guides
Board-and-batten spacing: equal gaps and edge boards
Six openings need seven battens. Work out the equal gaps, then tape the layout on the wall before buying trim.
Read articleTrim cut lists: allow for saw kerf, end trim and offcuts
A 96-inch board cannot supply two exact 48-inch cuts. This eight-piece example shows where the blade loss and useful offcuts go.
Read articleHow much paint do I need? Wall area, coats and can sizes
The same 12-by-10-foot room can need two gallons or three. Coverage and coat count determine which side of that purchase threshold you land on.
Read articleFence materials: count posts, pickets, rails and concrete
Corners share posts; gates interrupt runs. A two-run example shows how to count the pieces without losing those details in a single total length.
Read articleWood vs. composite decking: compare 10-year costs
A $2,800 saving on installation can disappear through refinishing costs. Compare the cash payments year by year before choosing a deck surface.
Read articleTwo contractor quotes, one scope of work
A $2,500 quote can cost more than a $2,950 quote once disposal and finish work are added. Here is how to compare the same finished job.
Read articleChoose storage bins that hold your things and stay easy to lift
A bin that fits the shelf can still be too narrow inside or too heavy to lift. Test one loaded container before buying the matching set.
Read articleA DIY budget that fits the money available
A $451 materials-and-services list becomes a $550 project after tax and reserve. See which costs to count and how to bring the job back under $500.
Read articleBoard-and-batten spacing around outlets: a measurement worksheet
An outlet can clear a batten’s centerline and still overlap its edge. A coordinate worksheet catches the conflict before you cut.
Read articleCompare 8-foot and 10-foot trim boards by cut-list cost
Four 10-foot boards cost less than six 8-foot boards in this cut list, even at a higher price per foot. An extra delivery charge reverses the saving.
Read articleRoom-by-room paint worksheet: colors, coats and gallons
Two colors can require an extra can even when the wall area stays the same. This room worksheet tracks each color from measured walls to the paint counter.
Read articleContractor quote allowances: compare materials, fees and tax
An included tax amount, a material allowance, and a disposal exclusion can change which quote is cheaper. Follow the adjustments without counting anything twice.
Read articleBoard-and-batten example: a 140-inch wall with an outlet
Changing six openings to five clears an outlet and removes one batten. The revised cut list uses five boards, plus one chosen spare.
Read articleStorage bin fit and pack costs: a two-shelf worked example
Eight small bins or four larger ones fit these two shelves. The larger bins win on purchase cost once the small-bin six-packs leave four extras.
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