We believe that when it comes to home renovation tasks, intelligent and innovative DIY tips and techniques are unmatched. It’s just so amazing that anyone can try it out, regardless of their ability level! We gathered these 5 incredible DIY tips to share with you today since they are so accessible and can assist (almost) anyone become a little more skilled with a few tools and an idea.
Don’t get us wrong; for the best design outcomes, we’ll always need smart professionals like electricians, interior designers/decorators, and flooring specialists. However, we’ve got some outstanding DIY ideas that nearly everyone can try out for those “minor” chores around the house, like a loose kitchen cupboard or a bedroom wall asking for some fresh color(s).
Should I DIY or Call in a Professional?
Have a clear understanding of why the task must be completed and the desired result. This should make it easier to determine if you can handle the job yourself or if you require a professional.
Many plumbing and electrical tasks should never be attempted by the homeowner for safety and building code compliance concerns.
Do you need a bumpy wall to be completely flat so that you can paint it and make it appear better, or simply slightly flatter so that you can hang pricey wallpaper? You can get away with softly sanding the wall back and patching any cracks yourself in the first instance. Skimming the wall in the latter case is best left to a plasterer, especially if you’ve never done it before.
Similar to this, if you were thinking about developing your bricklaying talents by building a tiny brick wall around a garden bed, could you accept unsatisfactory results or does the wall require perfection because it will be clearly visible to any visitors?
Be sensible. Consider the consequences if things went wrong and how far they may truly go wrong. Your options will be determined by the response.
Always check before beginning a task if you are unsure about whether you should.
You should also think about if you (or your partner) are the type of person who can handle incomplete or abandoned tasks.
Put Safety First
The potential risk the project poses to you, as opposed to a more seasoned, well-equipped tradesperson, is another important factor in evaluating whether you should DIY it.
This involves having the proper personal protection equipment (PPE) to safely do a job, using tools and machines that are sharp, forceful, or heavy, or working at heights, to name a few examples.
When it comes to house expenses, your personal safety is not an area where you should cut down.
Search Online for DIY Tips
Find a lot of how-to videos explaining and showing the task you’re considering taking on online.
You can gain the confidence you need to try the same task by watching DIY projects actually being completed in a step-by-step fashion. Watch multiple films of the same task to see various approaches and to hear the suggestions made.
Even a friendly builder might be willing to share their best advice for the project if you approach them gently. Don’t be hesitant to solicit their support.
Think About Timescales
People frequently forget to ask themselves when a DIY project needs to be finished by. If a task needs to be completed quickly so that other trades can continue working on your development, you might not be the greatest candidate to complete it if you are inexperienced.
Rushing a task frequently entails cutting corners, which produces inferior results. Sometimes, you might think you can get by with that, but you might want to reconsider because inexperienced DIYers can cause damage and subpar finishes can lower the value of your home.
Invest in a Tool Kit
Homeowners and renovators should have a variety of DIY tools on hand, and the essentials are typically cheap to buy. The majority of the tiny power tools you’ll need have affordable price tags, some ranging from £50 to £100, and will rapidly pay for themselves.
For example, you may mount shelves, mix sand and cement with a paddle attachment, assemble flat-pack furniture, and more with a good drill and the related drill bits.
Of course, every DIYer also needs a respectable tape measure and a high-quality spirit level. Cut once, measure twice.