So I just started the Barter Reno of my main bathroom today, what is a Barter Reno you ask? Well, it is like a renovation but I am also bartering for the supplies and the labour. This adds a whole other level of opportunity as I am gaining access to a network of business owners who want to barter their goods and services, and I don’t have to spend money on them! Even if I can’t get everything through barter, anything I can get is a bonus because otherwise I would have to put out real money to do my renovations. Between you and me, I’d rather save as much money as I can and get a new bathroom!
This all started a little over a year ago when I bought the franchise for BarterPay, as I started to grow the company and introduce it to business owners in the area I constantly keep in mind the requests of my members. Since I am also a member I had my wish list as well, and at the top was renovating my 1980’s bathroom that had an unusable tub and shower, hooray!
Today was day one of the reno so there is a bunch of demolition going on, but this was not day one for me. Day one for me started about a year ago when I decided that this was on my wish list, so what would I need to get this done?
A contractor who could do the reno
A supplier for the vanity
Somewhere to get the flooring
A store that could supply the fixtures
A store that could supply the lighting
An electrician for the wiring
Most people when they do a reno don’t think about all these elements, you hire someone to take care of it all for you and then have fun picking colours. But barter works differently…my Barter Coach and I take on the position of general contractor as well in order to source out everything for our clients, in this case the client is also me, but that’s not typical. :).
So here I am with a torn apart bathroom and the contractor, Rick Harris Plumbing and Renovations. I have the next couple of steps lined up but I am still working on the lighting and an electrician. See you in Part 2!