Are you looking to improve your DIY skills and tackle some jobs around the house? There has been a considerable increase in people taking on DIY projects around the home in recent years. In fact, 44% of Americans are doing DIY to help them save money instead of hiring a professional.
While this can be an excellent way to save money, you should also remember that there are professionals for a reason. If you are unsure, working with electric or gas appliances, for example, you call in people who know what they're doing and are qualified.
But if the world of DIY is calling you, these tips can help you dip your toes in and see just how good you are.
Your Skill Level
Sure, you can build your skills over time and become more adept at what you are doing, but for your very first project, you need to know where your skills are right now and what they will allow you to do. This can help you gauge the type and size of project to take on to help you get started and not bite off something bigger than you can chew. So be honest with yourself: what are you actually capable of, and what do you confidently think you can achieve?
Time Frame
While the professionals on the home makeover shows might make it look super easy and really quick to renovate a house, the chances are these people have been doing it for many years and have become skilled at working at faster speeds as they know exactly what they are doing. The timeframe for novice DIYers will likely be extended as you don't have those skills or experience. Look at how long the job can realistically expect to take and how much time you have to do it. If this is out of your capabilities, you might not be ready to tackle it just yet.
You might be better off starting with smaller jobs like painting or changing fixtures and fittings to get more practice and experience.
Cost
The cost of hiring professionals can be massive, but you can often overlook what this quote includes, especially for more significant tasks. If you are painting your living room, you will likely save on the cost of hiring a painter and decorator to do this for you if you do it yourself, the same as learning to fix a wobbly ceiling fan yourself over calling someone out to look at it.
But if your renovation plans are extensive and involve things like removing walls or replacing fittings such as kitchen units or bathrooms, then you need to look at the bigger picture. How much will new ones cost you? How much will skip hiring be to remove old materials? What tools and additional labor will you need, and do you need to apply for permits? All of this will be considered when using a contractor to complete the work, but if you do it yourself, you will need to arrange it all.
DIY is a great skill to learn, and over time, it can help you save money over hiring someone to do the work. But you must start small, stay within your capabilities, and work your way up from more minor repairs and jobs around the home before carrying out bigger ones.