Planning and Layout

Create a bill of materials and plan of procedure and work from them.
Learn how to use a simple CAD package.
Use the Tabulator to create a lumber list.
Buy 15 to 20 percent more wood for the project than you think you'll need.
Create a "mock-up" using cardboard, cheap wood, or styrofoam panels.
Avoid mixing straight grain with wavy or highly figured grain.
Lay out all parts before cutting any boards.
Lay out cutlines for parts using chalk.
Lay out larger pieces before smaller ones.
Consider using "story poles" for laying out cutlines.
Make allowances for saw kerf.
Use templates for laying out multiple copies of complex pieces.
Use the same measuring tools for the entire project.
Measure a series of lengths from one reference point rather than point to point.