I've already put several design projects on hold. It is not that I can't stay at home and complete the designs - the issue is the self isolation/staying in place directives have put the kibosh on any client meetings.

My business income/design fees are only supplemental income for me so while inconvenient to push them out into the unknowable future, it is not as dire a situation for me as it would be for others that rely on that income to live.

What about gardening work? I told clients that everything is on hold

I do design only :-) The only physical gardening I do is in my own garden. And that will probably get more attention this season than usual!

The contractor I work with is conducting business pretty much as usual. Less design installations but still plenty of maintenance that does not require any (or very little) client interaction.

"Want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans."

This was the month we were moving and starting construction soon after. But the city didn't approve the first two versions of our grading plan. And now municipal offices are shut until further notice. So that's a multi-seven-figure build on indefinite hold. (We in-fill build, move in, sell and repeat.)

But it's reported today that local Big Boxes are jammed with homeowners stocking up for diy projects.

pent up demand

Maybe. But unemployment, cratered stock markets and a deep recession aren't typically a recipe for a housing boom.

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One son is locked-in in Sun Valley, his filming work suspended; he's primed to leave the heat, traffic and bad air behind !

I am really worried about my subcontractors and their families.

Yes...it’s absolutely heartbreaking. What I was trying to say between the lines in my post is that, people who can, should continue their projects or even add to them, as we intend to. Fear is primal, but it’s also contagious and that helps no one.

Holding design meetings online is easy with Zoom or Ring Central. What’s hard is teaching the clueless how to measure things and read a tape measure.

Am retired so this has no effect on me. All the people who are looking toward a future project should be using this time for planning. It seems to be the step that many want to overlook of skimp on. Now is the perfect time to make sure it happens.