4 Common Mistakes First Time DIYers Make

Making renovations yourself can be a great pastime, and a perfect way to save on home improvement projects. However, the amount of skills and experience you have will limit what you can and can’t do, and trying to burn stages could result in small mistakes at best, or a catastrophe at worst. But, with the proper preparation and a basic understanding of safety rules, you should be able to avoid making major blunders. Here are some of the most common mistakes beginner DIYers make.

Not Having the Essentials

A great cook cannot work without the right set of knives, pots, and pans, and a DIYer cannot work without the proper set of tools. You don’t need to buy every tool imaginable, but there are a few that you can’t do without. It all starts with a nice hammer. When picking a hammer, you have to consider material quality, grip, and weight. You should also avoid anything with a wooden handle. If you’re looking for a high quality hammer and other tools, you can find them online on stores like engelbert strauss. They offer professional grade tools of all kinds, and they’re rather affordable too. If you want to take a look at some of the tools they have in store, you can find a variation of tools on this site.

Engelbert strauss also have essentials for any DIYers like force pliers and screwdriver sets. Their items are highly durable and will last for years. They also have a wide selection of pavers mauls for people who were thinking of doing some paving work. They have accessories like tool boxes and carpenter belts as well. Whether you’re looking for measuring tape, a roofing hammer, or drill sets, you’ll find them all there for a fraction of the price you’d usually pay at a traditional brick and mortar store.

Trying to Go Too Big Too Fast

It’s easy to watch a few videos on how to build your own deck and think you have everything covered, but you could realise very soon that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. In other cases, trying to do some complex work, such as plumbing or electrical work, could actually put you in danger. Take baby steps first. Try to build shelves before trying to build a veranda. And if possible, try to leave anything that has to do with electrical or plumbing work to the pros unless you have significant experience.

Overlooking Permits

You shouldn’t assume that just because you’re doing some simple work that you won’t have to deal with permits or regulations. In some cases, you won’t be able to even make some simple changes like painting the exterior of your house without getting permission.

For instance, if your residence is listed, you will need consent if the new colour changes the house’s character significantly. And it isn’t limited to listed buildings either. In one case, one Kensington owner had to redo a paint job after they painted their house in red & white stripes. In some cases, planning powers could serve you a notice to change a colour pattern if they judge it isn’t keeping with your area’s amenity, so that’s something you’ll have to consider.

Don’t Rush Paint Jobs

Painting may look like one of the simplest things you can do on your own, but if you want great results, you need to learn proper technique and prepare the area correctly at first. If you don’t, you’ll have to deal with all kinds of spills, runs, and possible disasters. You also have to make sure that you thoroughly clean any walls you’re thinking of painting first, fill up holes with a good filler, and use high quality painter’s tape for ceiling lines, doors, windows, and anything you want to protect from paint.

Another mistake that a lot of DIY painters make is thinking that any kind of paint will do. The type of paint you use is just as important as your technique and the tools you’re using. Matt paint for instance is usually a better choice for high surfaces like ceilings. This is especially true if you’re painting a kid’s room since matt is much harder to clean. Ideally, you should go for a satin or eggshell finish if you’re going to be painting interior walls.

You should also have the basic essentials to make sure that you do a proper and clean job. This includes things like drop cloths, a sturdy ladder, paint rollers and refills, a paint tray, and high quality brushes in various sizes.

Conclusion

When done right, DIY projects can be very satisfying and eventually save you a few pounds. However, one small mistake could spell disaster. Always make sure that you take the proper precautions and have the expertise necessary before you start any project.