Many people who take on home improvement projects have found that they have an easier time if some of their work is finished even before the hammer hits the first nail.
For example, a person putting in door knob might appreciate that the hole for the lock already exists even before they head to the hardware store.
However, John Ward's six-month project to convert a portion of his covered deck into an enclosed sunroom might have proved easier if his task had started from scratch.
"I had to put in extra joists to support the ceramic tile," said Ward of Shrewsbury. "I had to prop up the roof so I could build the walls."
Last winter, Ward's wife, Mary Jane Ward , told her husband that she preferred to have at least part of their backyard deck enclosed.
In his youth, John Ward, 63, worked on construction sites where homes were built and, in turn, picked up skills that have proven useful for home improvement projects.
However, John Ward didn't jump on his new project without making a plan.
First, the Wards shopped around the type of windows that would allow natural light to flood their new room.
Next, John Ward drafted a sketch of his project "down to the last detail."
Between April and October, John Ward, who retired from United Container Machinery in Maryland in 2002, labored on his sunroom demolishing existing materials and installing extra supports.
"I'd peak out every day and ask him 'are you still having fun'," Mary Jane Ward
The Wards bought a majority of the materials needed to build their sunroom from the True Value Plus hardware store in Shrewsbury Township.
All totaled, the couple spent roughly $13,000 on the materials for the project.
"I can't imagine how much it would cost to hire a contractor to do this project," Mary Jane Ward said. "I would think that, with labor, it would cost double of what we paid for the materials."
For homeowners who are reluctant to take on improvement projects, some contractors do offer deals. Ed Bohle, owner of Ed the Handyman in Springettsbury Township, said he charges customers for his jobs about half of what larger contractors with more expenses demand.
Bohle said his business has been strong since more people appear to have opted to pour money into home repairs and projects rather than on vacations.
"Bigger contractors have a lot more overhead than I do," he said. "They have a lot more employees and big equipment. I just call in a subcontractor when I need them. I have no employees."
sadkins@ydr.com;771-2047
Font Resize
