It may seem like a good idea to do work yourself and make your own improvements to your home, but good ideas don’t always turn into quality work, especially if you’re a novice and don’t have the experience and know-how that tradesmen have.
Different projects require different skills, and some things are just too big for one person to manage on their own. The best advice is probably “don’t bite off more than you can chew”.
Here are a few things that might help.
Take your time, and take regular breaks
It’s easy to rush through things in order to see the results of your handiwork quickly. If you do this, you’re likely to make mistakes and the job won’t be the best it can be. Work slowly and methodically, and try not to put yourself under any time pressures to get things done. If you get stuck, take a break and think things through.
Use the right tool for the job
If you don’t have the right tool, then making a mess of things becomes more likely. It’s better to waste 30 minutes going to a tool shop and getting the right tool, than trying to improvise something and end up spending more time repairing the damage.
Wear safety gear
Safety gear exists for a reason, not just to hinder people trying to get a job done. Some gear may be bulky, such as heavy gloves and goggles. Think of what “could” happen however when operating drills and power saws. Is what you’re doing worth losing a finger or an eye for?
Read the Instructions
Many DIY projects come with instructions. They are written by people who know the best way to do things, so read up before you start the job and you could save yourself some time.
Work with someone else
Finally, some jobs really are too big for one person. Working together with someone else can be a real help, even if it’s only to have someone hold a tape measure or hold a ladder. You can also swap ideas about the job and perhaps think of better ways to do things.
