“It was the best of projects; it was the worst of projects...” Pulled directly from the files of a local remodeling contractor, this true story of two projects in Chittenden County is a treasure trove of information about what homeowners can do to ensure a successful project...(and the potential consequences of getting it wrong.) This workshop touches topics that every project team needs to address when embarking on any major home improvement project: project planning, scoping and prioritizing, budgeting, contractor selection, contracts, change orders, and more.

Instructor Tom Peterson (pictured left)

Tom Peterson’s interest in construction began as a kid when he could often be found hanging around construction sites or messing around in his dad’s hobby workshop.  Tom paid his dues in the field in the 1980’s where he worked as a laborer, mason tender, carpenter, and installer of solar panels.  From 1989 through 1996 he served in the non-profit world as the Housing Rehabilitation Specialist for the Burlington Community Land Trust (now the Champlain Housing Trust). Tom also served as vice-president of Prime Construction and was co-owner of a bath and kitchen remodeling franchise. He started Peterson Consulting in 2003 providing project planning and management services to a wide range of clients including the Chittenden County Transportation Authority, UVM Medical Center, Champlain College, and Winooski Housing Authority among others. He has served as an instructor for the National Association of Homebuilders University of Housing and his articles on the business of construction have appeared in the Journal of Light Construction, BobVila.com, and Vermont Homestyle Magazine.