DIY Advice
Before beginning any DIY project, it is important to plan fully and understand what the whole strategy entails as well as what you want the outcome to be. You must prepare for the various steps involved in the project, ranging from what initial preparations you need to make to what tools will be required for the job.
You should consider the kind of property or feature you are working on. If you are renovating an old property for example, there may be more considerations and more work required in updating it than simple renovations for a newer property.
When planning your time, take into account your own expectations and personal standards regarding the work. If you know you are a perfectionist or that you wish to add in small details to your design, add more time so that you can pace yourself realistically.
Try to take an objective step back and view to project as though you were an external contractor. What would you recommend be completed first? What work is necessary? It may be the case that the plaster needs repairs before you can begin to paint, for example.
DIY or Do You Need Help?
Be realistic about your DIY plans. Doing it yourself is cost-efficient and rewarding, but you will have to face facts about where your skills and weaknesses lie if you wish your project to be successful.
Get some advice:
Find a book on home renovations and step by step DIY projects, or visit a good hardware store. You will often gather some good advice at a small hardware shop from time-served DIYers.
Don’t forget to ask around your friends to find out if they have any experience of similar projects. It is always useful to learn from other people’s mistakes! Failing that; talk to an expert. Hire a contractor for a couple of hours to get you started and show the correct technique. That way you can still complete the project yourself without any major hiccups.
Plan your time:
Supplies – List all your required tools and materials before you go to the store so that you get everything you need. It is advisable to get a little extra in case of mishap, and should also make your purchases a few days in advance so that you can double check you have everything.
Schedule – Ensure that your family and friends know that you are planning a DIY project to avoid interruptions. Give yourself a weekend or other ample time so that you can take it steady.
Extras – Leave yourself extra time and extra money in case things don’t go according to plan. You may wish to add some finishing touches, or realise you have run out of your supplies. You may also uncover a problem which wasn’t visible before that requires attention. Always be prepared.
DIY on a Budget
If you want to make some changes but need to keep the costs down, there are a few tips you can try.
Plan your project efficiently so that contractor costs or the cost of materials do not spiral out of control. Know your budget.
Take time to shop. Look for end of the line discounted supplies. If you have already decided on another design tile for example, shop around in case it cheaper elsewhere, or find a less expensive similar design.
With tiles, chose a standard design and opt for a decorative border instead or covering a large and expensive fully with designer tiles. The same can be said for paints, wallpaper, and any other design or build features you can apply it to!
Instead or replacing all your fixtures, try to see if you can renovate any of them. Carrying out minor repairs and sprucing them up will save you money and still give your home a new look.
A big money saver will be to stick your home’s original layout; demolition or addition will push up the cost. The same goes for any existing mechanics of the house; try to build around the heating system etc that you have already got. However, you have to change this depending on Building Regulation requirements.
Naturally, undertaking all the work yourself will save you contractor’s fees. Beware though, that if your skills are not up to scratch if can result in more expense in the long run to fix your mistakes. If you think the project is too large for to handle alone, either scale it down or complete it in stages. This will also spread out the cost.
How To…
…fix a squeaky floorboard.
There are several solutions to this fairly simple job. The easiest way to hush the noise of tight-fitting boards rubbing is to brush some chalk or talcum powder between them.
For loose boards, tighten them using 50mm screws (as opposed to nails) to firmly grip the boards. To prevent the boards splitting, drill them first. Be aware of any cables that may be lurking below.
If however, the board end is unsupported by a joist, screw a 25x50mm batten to either side of the joist alone, and then lay the board back on top of the batten and affix with screws.
If you find a loose board that is cut between two joists and has nothing to support it, you can remove the board and fit a supporting 2x2 timber between the other boards and screw it attached to provide a bridge.
…remove broken glass.
When removing broken glass it is essential that you wear protective gear on your hands and eyes.
If the glass has had a hole broken in it, start at the top and carefully wiggle out the remaining shards taking care not to cut your arm. If the glass shards are large, get someone to help you.
In the instance of cracked glass that still remains whole, you will need to hire a cutter. Cut around the pane about an inch distance from the frame. Tape over the cracks with adhesive to stop them falling out, and gently tap the glass to remove pieces singularly.
Once all the cracked or broken glass has been removed, hack away the old window putty with a hacking knife. To make this easier, hold the knife at a narrow angle to the frame and tap it with a hammer. Any pins or sprigs in the window frame can be pulled out with pincers.
To prepare the window for its renovation, you should remove the old backing putty and prime the cleaned frame rebate.