D.I.WHY? Tips to avoid “Do It Yourself” disasters

28 Oct D.I.WHY? Tips to avoid “Do It Yourself” disasters

When you land on an idea for home improvement in your head, the thoughts of the finished project can become intoxicating. However, DIY projects aren’t all fun and games, and they take serious planning and immaculate execution in order to get the results you desire. If you are thinking about embarking on a DIY mission of your own, make sure to check out these tips so you don’t make the same mistakes that so many others before you have.

#1. Use the right tools.

If you go into a project thinking “I’ll make it work with what I’ve got,”chances are it’s going to come out looking like you made it work with what you had. Do your research and make sure you have all the right tools for your project. If you don’t, buy them!

In addition to this, make sure you have quality tools. Skimping on buying quality products may seem like an easy way to save some cash, but ultimately the tools aren’t going to work as well, they will break more easily, and they skyrocket your risk of injury (cheap saws don’t care about your fingers!).

#2. Know when to call a professional.

When planning DIY projects, it’s important that you evaluate each project realistically. A major factor is cost. Unless you have an abundance of tools and materials, the start-up costs on a project can be steep, and that’s before you measure the value of your own time. Because professional contractors already have the tools necessary and access to cheaper rates on materials, it may actually save you money to avoid doing it yourself.

#3. Try it out before committing to it.

It’s easier and less stressful to decide against a project after sampling it rather that committing to the whole thing. Paint one wall before painting the whole room to see if that blue is too overwhelming. Lay hardwood in the bathroom before finishing the entire downstairs to see if it looks the way you imagined it. Home improvement is all about trial and error, but you’ll save a lot of money and time if you can correct your mistakes before it’s too late.