DIY Project Plan Builder - Planning Prompts with Tool & Material Review Rows
Step-by-Step Build Plans with Complete Checklists, Safety Guidance, and Product Recommendations.
Plan a source-aware review path for mini-split work, generator setup, shop heater work, outbuilding electrical wiring, or water heater replacement. Each checklist is a planning prompt with phased review items, source-boundary warnings, broad tool/material rows, and cost/time prompts. It is not an installation manual, permit document, inspection approval, product compatibility decision, or authorization to start electrical, gas, refrigerant, plumbing, venting, or trench work.
Screen mini-split cost assumptions before HVAC review
Mini-Split Efficiency & Cost Calculator →Screen generator load assumptions before transfer-equipment review
Generator Sizing Calculator →Screen voltage drop before outbuilding electrical review
Long-Run Voltage Drop Calculator →Screen replacement water-heater capacity before product and code review
Water Heater Sizing Calculator →How It Works
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Choose a Planning Template
Select from five template prompts: mini-split, generator transfer setup, shop heater, outbuilding wiring, or water heater replacement. Treat the output as a review checklist, not field instructions.
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Carry Forward Calculator Prompts
Optional calculator seed values can carry BTU, kW, tank, wire, voltage, or distance prompts into the checklist. They still need manufacturer, code, AHJ, utility, and qualified trade review.
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Review Source Boundaries
Read the source and safety warnings before using any row. Electrical, gas, refrigerant, plumbing, venting, trenching, and generator transfer work can require permits, inspections, product instructions, and licensed trades.
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Build a Review List
Use the tool/material rows as shopping and scoping prompts. Verify product model, rating, listing, compatibility, warranty limits, and installation instructions before purchase.
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Track Planning Progress
Checklist marks are personal planning markers only. They do not prove work was completed, inspected, code-compliant, or safe to energize or operate.
Built For
- Homeowners preparing questions for a mini-split contractor or HVAC technician
- Homeowners screening generator transfer-equipment review items before calling an electrician or utility
- Shop owners gathering product, venting, fuel-gas, and permit questions for a unit-heater review
- Property owners planning outbuilding wiring scope before electrical design and inspection review
- Homeowners organizing water-heater product, plumbing, venting, and permit questions before replacement
- Apprentices comparing checklist prompts with current manuals, codes, and supervised trade procedures
Features & Capabilities
5 Source-Aware Templates
Mini-split, generator transfer setup, shop heater, outbuilding wiring, and water heater prompts with explicit source and qualified-review boundaries.
Calculator Seed Carry-Forward
Carry normalized calculator prompts into the checklist while keeping nameplate, Manual J, NEC, fuel-gas, venting, and AHJ gaps visible.
Tool & Material Review Rows
Product rows are broad planning prompts with estimated price ranges. They are not endorsements, compatibility checks, listing approvals, or shopping guarantees.
Safety and Permit Boundary
The app surfaces electrical, gas, refrigerant, plumbing, venting, trenching, carbon-monoxide, utility, permit, and inspection warnings before the checklist.
Persistent Planning Checklists
Track planning markers in local browser state and share normalized review context by URL. Checklist marks are not completion or inspection records.
PDF and CSV Export
Export the planning checklist, source warnings, residual gaps, and source pointers for review records. Exports are not permit packages or work instructions.
Assumptions
- Templates are generic planning prompts for common residential/light-shop scenarios and are not tailored to a specific jurisdiction, product, building, or utility.
- Calculator seed values are normalized planning inputs, not source-verified equipment selections or code calculations.
- Cost and time prompts are broad ranges and omit many project-specific scope, labor, inspection, rental, disposal, tax, and shipping items.
- Checklist completion is a personal planning marker only and is not proof of correct work, inspection, approval, or safe operation.
- Permit, inspection, utility, and qualified-review requirements must be checked for the exact project location and scope.
Limitations
- Does not replace engineered plans, stamped drawings, manufacturer instructions, permits, inspections, or qualified trade procedures.
- Does not verify electrical service capacity, panel compatibility, conductor/OCPD sizing, grounding/bonding, SCCR/AIC, GFCI/AFCI, LOTO, or safe energization.
- Does not verify gas pipe sizing, venting, combustion air, appliance clearances, leak testing, purging, CO alarms, or utility/AHJ acceptance.
- Does not authorize refrigerant-circuit work or replace EPA Section 608, current EPA rules, manufacturer commissioning, recovery equipment, or qualified HVAC review.
- Does not approve product compatibility, listing, rating, warranty compliance, or purchase decisions.
References
- NFPA-70-2026-NEC-SOURCE - NEC source pointer for electrical code context
- NFPA-70E-2024-SOURCE and OSHA-1926-SUBPART-K-ELECTRICAL-2026 - electrical safe-work source pointers
- EPA-SECTION-608-TECH-CERT-2026-SOURCE - refrigerant technician certification source pointer
- NFPA-54-2024-NFGC-SOURCE and ICC-IRC-2024-CH24-FUEL-GAS-SOURCE - fuel-gas and venting source pointers
- CPSC-PORTABLE-GENERATOR-CO-SAFETY-2026, CGA-811-BEFORE-YOU-DIG-2026, and OSHA-TRENCHING-EXCAVATION-2026 - CO, utility-locate, and excavation safety source pointers
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More
Project Planning: Build a Review List Before Mechanical or Electrical Work
How to organize mechanical and electrical project review lists before work starts. Covers material prompts, calculator seed values, permit questions, tool review, source gaps, and qualified-trade boundaries.
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