Creating good project goals is the first step in setting your residential project up for success. Whether you’re looking to create a custom home, build an addition, or do a major remodel – setting good project goals first will make future decisions easier and the entire process simpler.

With any project you tackle, defining goals increases the likelihood that you’ll succeed. Whether you formalize your goals or not, you usually have a good idea of what it takes to finish a project.

For smaller projects like cleaning the house, you know what it takes to succeed so you probably don’t actually create goals… they are all in your head.

But with a large, complex project like a new custom house or even creating an accessory structure for the backyard, taking some time to actually think about and formalize your goals is crucial.

Goals are important because they are your personalized indicators of what you’ve defined would be a successful project for you.

They serve as a constant reminder of why you’re doing this project in the first place. They keep you on track. They ensure all other parties know what the end goals are. And they are your guide for all future decisions in the whole entire home creation process.

When you need to make a decision, as long as the decision you make moves you closer toward achieving your goals, you are on your way to a more successful project.

The great thing about project goals is that they keep you focused on what’s most important to YOU.

By knowing specifically what you want to accomplish, you won’t get distracted and try to have it all – opting for things simply because everyone else has them or to please other people. Instead, you can focus on a specific plan of action that will get you what you specifically want.

And that’s why it’s so important to base decisions on your goals.

So before you tackle your home project, set good project goals.

And remember, you’ll probably have multiple goals for your project. Most likely you’ll have opinions on construction budget, timeframe, aesthetics, sustainability, space requirements, location, views, quality, and emotions. So save yourself the headache later and write down your project goals now!

A good rule of thumb is: If it’s important to you, define a goal for it.