Improve Your Dream Home but Avoid the Common Mistakes
When you reach the point where you suddenly don't have to "settle" for a roof but can actually improve your home and make it the place you've always dreamed of living, there is something really special about doing it yourself. Sure, it may take longer than the "pros" but you'll have the pride and the stories to go with the beautiful changes that you've made.
The trick to making these stories ones that you can indeed be proud of is to make sure that you've done the right planning - and that you've learned from the mistakes of others. One of the primary sources of frustration and upset among do-it-yourselfers is unexpected time consumption and expense.
To make sure that your dream home improvement story is one of pride, and not one of aggravation - or worse, defeat - keep the following tips in mind, and don't make the mistakes that others have made.
Take out the necessary permits - This is one of the most common steps skipped by do-it-yourselfers. True, it does mean that you'll need to fill in forms and work with the government but it truly is in your best interest to do it and get it over with. Not only is it the law, but the people in the permit office will help you to make sure that your project is done properly and safely. They have experience with this, and may enlighten you as to some things you hadn't even considered. Furthermore, your insurance company will require proof of the permit to cover many kinds of projects. Anything above painting or wallpapering will likely require a permit, so you should call your local building department to find out.
Have all of the correct tools and materials before you start - If you wait to buy, rent, or borrow
tools and materials until the stage of the project that they're needed, you'll slow down the project dramatically and unnecessarily at every step. Make sure that your tools are appropriate for the task and are of good quality. This should be considered a very wise investment that you'll appreciate very much in the end.
Make sure that the project area is ready for delivery of materials - Whenever you will be receiving a delivery of materials from a supplier, make sure that the site of the project is prepared for it. This means that you'll have a safe, appropriate storage area set up to prevent theft, as well as exposure to the weather and other destructive elements.
Don't get skimpy with your materials - It's far better to use the right materials and have a bit too much, than to use shoddy materials and run out. For example, don't use
1/4-inch inch drywall for walls just because it's cheaper. Use a minimum of 5/8-inch. Use
3/4-inch if you want better sound-proofing. For sub-floors, use 3/4-inch plywood, since it makes the floor much stronger.
Prepare your walls for paint - Don't just paint directly onto the wall. First sand them, patch any holes or chips, clean them, and use a coat of a good primer or stain blocker. This becomes even more important if you're using light colors on a dark wall or dark colors on a light wall.
Select the right kind of paint - For ceilings, use flat paint. Interior paint should be either eggshell or satin so that they will be easy to wash. Outdoor decks should have a linseed oil- based stain so that the pigment soaks into the wood and helps to preserve it.
Take the right safety precautions - Even if those safety goggles aren't very stylish, wear them anyway when you're working with drywall or wood. If you're around scaffolding or other overhead projects, keep a
safety helmet on at all times. When you're painting, stripping, or staining, open windows
for better ventilation. The last thing your project needs is an injury and a hospital bill!
Measure twice before cutting - This rule is vital. If you're going to make a mistake, make sure that you've erred to the side of too big. Remember, something can always be made shorter, but it can't be made longer!
If the project needs a professional, hire a professional.
Naturally, following these steps doesn't guarantee that you won't make a single mistake throughout your project but they will help you to be much safer and less dramatic about the mistakes that are made.
