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species, color and type of finish, door style, description of layout (along with drawings or diagrams), specialty items like pull outs, spice racks, etc., must be listed or you will likely not get them in the end. I have a separate specification sheet for my projects that list all of the details in a spreadsheet style list for easy reference by our workers and the homeowner. Fixtures and appliances must include manufacturer, model number, name, finish, etc. There is no such thing as too much information when it comes to the project details.

Legal note: if there are subcontractors working on your project, they are required by law to give you a "20 Day Preliminary Lien Notice" within 20 days of starting work on your project. This does not mean that they are putting a lien on your house. It is just a notice to inform you that they are working on your property and expect to get paid. Make sure you keep track of these notices as a sub or material supplier can put a lien on your house if they don't get paid, even if you pay your prime contractor (the one you signed the contract with.) We'll talk about liens again later.

Part Three: Starting the Project

Now then, the big day is here and your project is starting. A few notes on making the process easy on you and your contractor. First of all, if yours is an interior project, make sure the workers have access to your home. Unless you plan to be home all day, every day, a lock box like those used in real estate can simplify this part of the process. Workers will need access to a restroom (sorry, nature calls everyone). If you have a problem with this, be prepared to pay the cost of a port-a-potty which will sit in your driveway for the duration of the project. Although not required, you would be surprised how a pot of coffee in the morning or a cooler full of cold drinks can improve the morale of those working on your home. Remember, contractors and their employees are human and respond to kindness like anyone else. The clients I have had who were the easiest to work with always ended up with a few little "extras" on the job. It's just human nature.

Pets: Your responsibility, not the contractor's, period. Either lock them in a part of the yard or house not involved with the project or board them somewhere else. Children, same as pets (kidding), however, make sure if you have little ones that they are kept away from the work area not only while the workers are present, but also before and after work hours. Tools, nails,

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