Feb 08 2010
Using Mind Mapping to Choose a Home Contractor
A good contractor can mean the difference between a home improvement project that is a pleasant experience and one that is a nightmare. It is for this reason that much time, research, and planning should be spent on selecting a contractor. Mind Mapping is an extremely useful tool for sorting through the various options for a home contractor because it allows users to organize information in a highly intuitive way. Mind Maps are constructed using a highly visual and spatial format. Thus, with Mind Maps, one can literally “map out” all the various components of choosing a good home contractor, in one diagram, using colors, pictures, or other graphics as desired. Organizing information in this manner has been shown to allow the brain to process and recall the information more naturally, as well as allow one to work with the information more efficiently. For those looking to avoid the hassle of dealing with an incompetent home contractor, Mind Mapping offers a creative and effective way for selecting one that will get the job done right.
Using Mind Mapping to Select a Good Home Contractor
Bennie and Adele have decided to take the plunge and embark on a long-planned home renovation. The renovation will be a complete overhaul of their home, from a new kitchen and flooring, to totally new bathrooms and plumbing. Hearing the horror stories some friends of theirs had when undergoing their own home renovation, Bennie and Adele decide to take some extra time in choosing the right contractor for their project. They settle on using Mind Mapping to help them sort through their options, and begin constructing a Mind Map by representing the purpose of the map, finding a good home contractor, in the map’s center. They then add branches to their map, on which they list the names of local area contractors they are considering. On child branches that they attach to the branches, they next list any relevant information about the contractor, such as his or her bid, years of experience, and known recommendations or complaints from customers. Throughout their Mind Map, Bennie and Adele use colors, pictures, and other graphics to make their map more creative and their choices easier to conceptualize. When they have completed their map, it looks similar to the attached Mind Map diagram.
A Pleasant Home Renovation Experience Thanks to Mind Mapping
A year after the construction of their Mind Map, Bennie and Adele’s home renovation project is complete. And, from the newly installed Jacuzzi tub in the master bath to the granite countertops in the kitchen, everything looks great. Thanks to “mapping out” their options for contractors, as well as thorough consideration, they chose the perfect contractor for the job. Not only did she and her team do an excellent job, they did so for less than their initial budget and in less time than originally planned. As Bennie and Adele show tonight’s visiting friends around their home, they are delighted that they can share a tale of home contractor success, rather than one of disappointment.
