How to Manage Home-Improvement Paperwork

They say home is where the heart is. It's also where the leaks, drafts,
clogs, funky furnaces and other messes are, too. Keeping homeimprovement
documents organized and handy will make your life
easier should you ever decide to sell your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. File all home-improvement documents together according to the project or room. Include work orders, contracts, receipts, estimates, and so on. Use expanding file folders, or binders with plastic filing sheets to keep related items together.

2. Keep your own dated notes on each project's progress, along with photos or video footage taken at each completed phase of work. These will be useful if you have a dispute or an issue with a contractor later on. See 85 Plan a Remodel.

3. Retain house-related documents for the minimum length of time.

4. Record in your home inventory checklist: a brief description of each item, the purchase date and price, and a serial number or product code for each item.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have made changes to the original work order, make sure to keep a copy of these changes in your project file.
• Make sure any homeimprovement contract includes the contractor's contact information, including name, address, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address and license number.