(Anchor)
WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MIDST OF A HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, A DELAY CAN BE COSTLY. IN TODAY'S ANGIE'S LIST REPORT, HOW TO AVOID PROJECT DELAYS WITH YOUR CONTRACTOR.

(Susan VO)
NEITHER YOU NOR YOUR CONTRACTOR WANTS A DELAY IN A PROJECT THAT COULD INEVITABLY COST TIME AND MONEY. THEREFORE, CAREFUL PLANNING AND COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR CONTRACTOR, BEFORE THE PROJECT, IS KEY TO AVOIDING DELAYS.



(SOT)

(Angie Hicks/Angie's List) The best bet for avoiding delays is to document and communicate regularly with your contractor and be sure you are realistic at the beginning about the timeline.

(Susan VO)
(b-roll of contractors working)
IT IS RECCOMMENDED THAT YOU BUILD SOME BUFFER TIME INTO YOUR PROJECT TIMELINE JUST INCASE OF A DELAY. SOME DELAYS ARE UNPREDICTABLE--WORK ON OUTDOOR PROJECTS OFTEN DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER, AND MATRIALS THAT HAVE TO BE ORDERED AND SHIPPED TO THE SITE MAY NOT ARRIVE ON TIME -- BUT THE MOST COMMON DELAY IS OFTEN THE RESULT OF POOR PLANNING.

(SOT)

(Angie Hicks/Angie's List) Changing a project mid-stream is the most common delay for projects. Having a well-documented plan when you start will lead to a more efficient project.

(GRAPHIC)
(Planning for your next project - plan carefully, give yourself some buffer time)

(Susan VO)
FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT REMEMBER TO PLAN CAREFULLY AND BUILD SOME EXTRA TIME INTO YOUR TIMELINE IN CASE OF DELAYS.

(GRAPHIC)
(Planning for your next project - plan carefully, give yourself some buffer time - take note of plans, changes, and progress)
 

(Susan VO)
DOCUMENT AND TAKE NOTE OF PROJECT PLANS, CHANGES, AND PROGRESS TO AVOID DELAYS.
 

(GRAPHIC)
(Planning for your next project - plan carefully, give yourself some buffer time - take note of plans, changes, and progress - stay in contact with your contractor)
 

(Susan VO)
AND STAY IN CONTACT WITH YOUR CONTRACTOR THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT SO YOU ARE AWARE IF ANY CHANGES TO YOUR PLAN NEED TO BE MADE.
 

(Susan Tag)
AND REMEMBER, A GOOD CONTRACTOR SHOULD KEEP YOU UP TO DATE ON THE STATUS OF THE PROJECT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM, I'M SUSAN KOEPPEN.