Many of our clients often wish to perform certain jobs and tasks in order to participate in the construction of their new home to a greater degree for the sheer enjoyment of it, and/or to save money. This is often referred to as putting sweat equity into a project.

We encourage our clients to do so wherever possible, and will help them along as best we can. However, in all instances, it is important to measure the value of sweat equity very carefully. These guidelines will help you make the right decisions as to how to best proceed keeping in mind your objectives for the finished product:. Before you commit to doing things on your own, be sure to answer these key questions:

Do I enjoy doing this type of work?

Can I commit to it, and to the schedule, such that I will not hold up other trades, or increase their workload resulting in higher costs costs in the long run?

Do I have experience in doing the particular work?

How committed and experienced are friends/family who may have offered to help?

Am I willing to sacrifice my quality of life over the short term in order to meet the requirements and the deadline? How will I or my family accommodate this?

What is the real value of doing it myself, taking into consideration the projected costs, the schedule, the expectations that will be placed on me for the project and its implications on how I will live my life during that period?

What is my real cost savings after taking into consideration time off work, travel costs, tools I may require, food/lodging for myself and my friends, babysitting/housekeeping that may be required while I am on site, and so on.

Once you have answered these questions to yourself and are comfortable with exploring things further your CanadaLog representative will gladly help you in explaining and assessing the level of time and experience necessary to complete the task.

Here are rules of thumb of potential labour savings on a spec 2-storey, 1,600 square foot home. Remember that no two homes, and no two jobs are alike though!

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