If you like to tackle DIY projects, you’re probably the kind of person that enjoys working with your hands. Do-it-yourself home maintenance isn’t necessarily about saving money. It’s about the experience – being challenged, learning new skills, feeling a sense of accomplishment. But sometimes things can go sideways. When you have to backtrack to fix mistakes made installing the gutters or hire a contractor to redo a section of the roof, it can be frustrating (and expensive). Here are some simple tips on how to successfully DIY.
Do one DIY project at a time.
You have a list of home maintenance tasks, in order of priority, you want to complete. Even then, it’s easy to get pulled into different directions – priorities change, life happens. You don’t want to be that DIYer that tells visitors they have to use the upstairs bathroom, can’t play table tennis in the basement, or why the siding is new on the front of the house, but you’re still working of the sides and back.
You know you best – if you work more efficiently multitasking, then go for it. Plan one indoor project and one outdoor home improvement. Work outside when the weather is cooperating and inside when it isn’t.
Visualize and map out the big picture.
If you don’t have a clear idea of what it will take to complete your DIY project from start to finish, things might get missed. Visualize how the landscaped front yard looks when it’s finished or the new aluminum gutters once they’re installed. Then outline and define the steps and tasks that will get you from here to there.
Make lists. Create one for tasks and another for materials needed. Generate a third list for any tools and equipment you require – mark items that you do not currently own and will need to buy or rent.
Make a budget and stick to it.
An essential part of a successful DIY project is a budget and then sticking to it. It might be tempting to add a few extras that were not originally on your planning lists. While this might not adversely affect smaller projects, it can make getting back on track more challenging when tackling complex projects. Budget 20% more of the total cost of your project for unexpected expenses.
Create a non-negotiable schedule.
For many of us, our DIY projects are done in our “spare time” – after we come home from work; carpooling kids to sports practice and extracurricular activities; dealing with life’s little surprises. Before adding a project to your calendar, do the following:
- Figure out the amount of work you will need to do to complete all of the steps
- Calculate the amount of time it will take to complete from start to finish
- Select the day or days of the week you intend on doing the home improvement
- Know when and how many hours for each session
Be honest about your skillset.
You might be confident in your DIY skills, but DIY project run the gambit from simple to complicated. Home improvements like installing new gutters or replacing the roof might require using equipment and techniques outside of your skillset. Before you begin a project, ask yourself if you could handle any unforeseen problems that might arise.
For many of us DIYers, we like learning new skills and pushing our limits. Discover new skills by doing smaller projects and take on complex home improvements as you become more confident. Know when to ask for help or hire a contractor for the parts of the project that need the skills of a professional.
Document your DIY projects.
Keeping a DIY journal is beneficial in a number of significant ways. It allows you to document your DIY journey from idea to accomplishment. Suggestions for journal entries include:
- Pictures – before, at the completion of each stage or step, and after
- Things that went wrong and how you fixed them
- Techniques that made the project easier and more efficient
- Brief notations on the overall experience – what you would do and not do for future DIY projects
A DIY journal can be a useful reference tool; a reminder of challenges and achievements.
