I’m no expert at DIY, but I do have a few tips to share! There’s no denying that home repairs can be an expensive endeavour, but sadly, many homes develop issues over the years due to age, wear and tear and damage that can occur from neglect or not keeping on top of maintenance.
While it’s suggested that you should have around 1-3% of your home’s value in savings to cover any repairs, this is not always feasible for some people. This is where DIY comes into play.
If you’ve been on social media at all in recent years, you will have seen the boom in home renovation accounts and DIYers that are showing people how they managed to transform their living spaces without the help of professionals, from full home renos to upcycling and tackling common household issues.
But if you’re not at that skill level yet or you want to dip your toes into the world of DIY, there is something you should know before you embark.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
If you could ask any DIY influencer for one tip, they will likely tell you this one. Measure twice cut once. This makes sure that you are getting the exact measurement both times; you can measure more if you want, and you aren’t going in with the wrong measurement and wasting materials. After all, the aim of this is to save money, not waste it. So measure, then measure again. Write it down, then go back to it just to be sure you got it right.
Don’t be Afraid To Ask
You don’t know what you don’t know. So don’t be afraid to ask other people if you’re buying the right things or doing something right. Whether you need to know what screws to use for attaching wooden panels to the wall to get that popular panelled look without paying someone to do it. Or you are simply trying to repair your washing machine by hand and need to know if you’re buying the right reed switch sensor, ask. Ask your family, friends, and your favourite influencer. Google the answer, or ask the company you are buying the part from.
Start Small
This cannot be stressed enough, but you need to start small before you go knocking any walls down. Yes, we know your favourite home remodel account got the keys to their new place and knocked down all the walls. But if this isn’t an entire home remodel, don’t knock down any walls, yet. Start with something small to test your skill level and build your confidence. Then, once you get the hang of the smaller jobs, you can progress upwards. Don’t bite off more than you can chew is what we’re going for here.
Give Yourself Time
DIY takes time, especially if you’re new to it. You cannot expect to have these skills automatically, even if you actually do pick them up really easily. Allow yourself the time and space to figure things out without being rushed, which will help you get better results.
DIY can be a great way to save you money and learn new skills. While making mistakes is par for the course, these tips can help you get started and get to grips with doing it yourself. And what it involves to make changes, repairs or overhauls to your home if you have no skills.
Do you have any DIY tips? Please let us know your top DIY tips in the comments below.
