The do-it-yourself revolution has been in progress for years, and bloggers, social media influencers and media personalities have only made the process of completing home renovations on your own more appealing. If you are considering a DIY approach to your next home improvement project, then it might be worth taking a few tips from the DIYers who do it best.
Here is what the best DIY pros do — and you should do too:
Invest in the Tools You Will Need
Inexperienced DIYers are often tempted by the big and shiny tools that are on display at the hardware store. It seems that there's a tool that can do anything for any project that you are considering. However, the reality is, you do not need a full-fledged workshop in order to do most DIY projects. It's important to look at the requirements for the project and only invest in the tools that you will need in order to get the job done. Basic tools such as a cordless drill, a set of screwdrivers and a claw hammer will help you get started on nearly any project.
Study Up and Review the Steps for Your Next Project
Once you have decided on the project that you want to work on, you will want to do your research and learn about the different ways you can tackle it. There are lots of resources that you can use to review the steps you will need to take for your project. Some people prefer the more traditional approach, and they may be able to get the information they need from a handbook or an online article. Others are visual learners, so a how-to video will help them more than an instructional booklet. No matter which way you prefer to learn, it's important that you get an idea of what will be involved before you begin buying materials and making an action plan.
Verify That You Have All the Materials
Identify all of the materials that you will need for your project, and make sure you double-check that you have them on hand before you begin the project. There's nothing more frustrating than being halfway through the work only to find out that you are missing what you need for the next step. If you don't have space to store your materials in your home, you may want to consider renting a storage unit at a self storage facility in order to keep everything that you need for your project safe and dry.
Take Time to Practice
If there are any techniques that you are not familiar with, you may want to take time to practice before you begin the work on your project. In some cases, if the project is small enough, you can actually do a practice run on the entire project before you take on the real work. Practice will give you the confidence you need to see your home improvement project through until the end.
Calculate the Cost of the Project
It's also important to take time to predict the cost of the project and determine if the project fits within your established budget. Fortunately, most people find that DIY projects are much more affordable than those that are hired out to contractors, because you do not have to pay for the cost of labor. Some costs that you will want to consider include:
- Cost of materials.
- Cost of equipment, both rented and purchased.
Estimate How Much Time it Will Take to Complete
In addition to estimating the cost of your project, you are going to want to think about how long it's going to take you to complete. This can be a downside to taking on a DIY project — for many homeowners, these projects tend to take longer to complete than they would if they hired a professional to do the job. This is because DIYers often fit their projects in during their free time, and it also may take them longer to complete tasks due to lack of experience or luxury equipment. However, if you predict how much time it will take, you will have a realistic idea of when you can enjoy the finished project.
Use a Step-by-Step Approach for Your Project
It's particularly important when you are embarking on a DIY adventure to take the project step-by-step. You may start feeling confident and think that you should skip a few steps, but this can lead to complications further down the line. It's best to stick with a slow and steady approach in which each step is prioritized accordingly.
Give Yourself Grace — It's Okay to Make Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes, including the most experienced DIYers and home improvement influencers. If you make a mistake on a project, the best thing you can do is take a deep breath, take a break and start the step over again.
Take Before and After Photos
Your DIY project is a journey, and you will want to see how far you have come. Before you begin your project, snap a few photos. Then, when it's complete, you can take a few more for comparison. This is often the most rewarding part of the process for those who are new to the DIY lifestyle.
Share Your Success
Don't be afraid to brag about a job well done! You should share photographs of your project as well as tips and tricks that you have learned on your social media accounts or on your personal blog. It's always fun to celebrate your success with your friends, family members and followers.
Whether you are taking on your first DIY project, and you have opted for an entry-level experience, or you are embarking on the challenge of a complicated and intricate design, you will find that when you follow the advice of the pros that it's easy to complete your task. Not to mention, it's extremely rewarding to do the work yourself and know that you played an integral role in the final product.
