DIY can be a great money saver, but if your skills are not up to the task there’s a very good chance there’s a DIY mistake ready to turn into a DIY disaster just around the corner.
There’s different levels of difficulty for any project you can take on yourself. You might want to do a bit of bathroom DIY, but what plumbing skills do you have? Or are you just going to tackle the painting?
Whatever your DIY level there’s things you just shouldn’t do and we are here to point you in the right direction for a successful project.
1. Not preparing properly
When working on any paint project it’s easy to skip past the preparation process as quickly as possible. But in reality you should be spending much more time on the prep than the painting.
How much time spent on preparation differs from paint job to paint job. For example stripping back a wooden door is much more prep intensive than preparing walls for painting. But as a general guideline preparation time should be at least 50 percent of the time spent on a paint job.
Failing to prep properly can leave your paint susceptible to chips, flaking, scratches, peeling and paint bubbling. And, a repaint much sooner than expected.
2. Buying cheap tools and products
If you are an avid DIYer then you want to invest in good tools and decent products. Budget tools will do a job, but they typically won’t last as long and don’t have many features, this is especially true of power tools. You can take a look at Homebuilding & Renovating's buying guides if you needs guidance with choosing tool like the best cordless drills.
The quality of products can vary greatly, and again some budget products are perfectly OK, but many simply aren’t as good as more expensive products. However, as a general rule, always avoid really cheap tools and products. Look for mid price tools and products and check out reviews or get recommendations from friends and family.
3. Don't drill anywhere you like
When you need to drill into walls and floors you really need to make sure that you know what lies underneath. Electric cables and water pipes are the common components that run through any home and you don't want to be drilling into either. It could cause extensive damage to your home and injury to yourself.
Electric cables should run vertically and horizontally from a switch or socket, but that isn’t always the case as I can tell you from experience. Investing in a stud finder like this FOLAI Stud Finder Wall Scanner from Amazon, will help find studs in a wall – so you know where to put up shelves, TV brackets etc – electric cables and water pipes. But remember they are not perfect, so be careful.
4. Not having the right tools
Attempting to tackle a DIY project with the wrong tools, can lead to a lot more time and effort spent on a job, and often a less than perfect finish. If you need long straight edges on a wooden board, use the best circular saw. Looking for crisp sharp angles on skirting boards or clean crosscuts, invest in the best mitre saws. Fixing plasterboard to a stud wall then use the right screws and driver. Sanding stairs or panels, get a detail sander and the appropriate sandpaper grades.
Whatever DIY project you’re working on, plan what tools you need, and buy, borrow or hire if you don’t have them.
5. Make sure to store paint properly
Paint has a long shelf, but this can be drastically reduced if you’re storing paint in the wrong place. Leave outside in a shed and expose your paint to plummeting – or soaring – temperatures, and paint can separate or dry out. Paint is best stored at a constant temperature and away from direct sunlight, i.e. an indoor store cupboard.
You need to make sure that the lid is removed correctly, try this Coral Essentials Paint Tin Can and Bottle Opener from Amazon. This stops the edges getting bent. To store after use, wipe paint from the edge of the tin and make sure the lid is closed tightly.
6. Know your DIY limits
When it comes to DIY some jobs are definitely more difficult than others. Learning how to paint properly isn’t as difficult as rewiring a house, or installing a central heating system. Whatever DIY tasks you decide to take on you need to do your research and do it properly.
But, there are just some DIY tasks that are best left to the professionals, while certain jobs will need a certificate from a qualified person to be approved. Check out our guide DIY: What to leave to the professionals for in-depth insight.
7. Let paint dry properly
A common DIY mistake is to put on another coat of paint before the previous coat is fully dry. This will lead to poor adhesion and a host of problems that will see paint peel, flake, bubble and present a patchy finish.
Always check the manufacturer's recommendation to ensure the best finish. Our guide How long does paint take to dry will give you the lowdown on drying times for commonly used paints in the home. One tip is to check drying times before you start and to plan in what order to paint, helping get a job done quicker.
8. Work out your budget
Unless you have an unlimited budget (who does?) then you will need to plan and cost a DIY project before you start. Write an extensive list of everything that you need. Do you have enough screws? Do you have enough adhesive? Do you need any specific tools?
Try to think of everything you are going to need. Then go online and cost up the materials. Ideally you want to try and get everything you need for a project in one go.
9. Allocate enough time
I can guarantee that most DIY projects – when done properly – will take longer than expected. Don't just think about how long the key part of the job will take. Think about how long the prep will take, how long you might need to move furniture and lay down dust sheets – and put back.
Think about how long you might need to wait between coats of paint. However long you think it will take, add on at least 25% to get closer to the actual time a project will take.
10. Don’t ignore safety measures
It's easy to think that you don’t need any safety gear or follow any safety instructions to get a DIY job done. You might get lucky on a few jobs, but at some point you’ll wish you had thought about safety.
There’s a lot of obvious and easy things to do, such as wearing safety boots, do not do any DIY barefoot (people do). Wear masks when sanding (especially MDF), goggles when needed, overalls to keep clothes clean and knee pads if kneeling a lot. Make sure ladders are secure, keep guides and guards in place and keep your work area clean.
Remember to isolate the water supply when plumbing and switch off the mains when working with electrics. Always check what you need to do for each project or task. Don’t try to skip safety, it's not worth it. Take my advice rather than learning the hard way like I have.
Ready to tackle your next DIY project? Try these guides to get some essential help; 8 Types of drill bit that every DIYer needs in their toolkit, Pro tips on how to paint a panel door and How to open a paint can the right way.
