Home Improvement Projects: Fail-Proof Tips to Avoid Some Common D-I-Y Mistakes

A professional carpenter friend of mine once said "the best carpenter is one who can fix the mistakes and fix them in the shortest time". This tells us that even the best people who build things do make some mistakes. However, like us, they do their best to avoid mistakes and that is what is available here - ways to avoid mistakes..

First, you should take out any necessary permits. It does take time and in many cases, a fair amount of money. It's the law in many places plus the fact if you should need professional help, the contractor will most likely want to have the permits in place before working on the job. Generally, your permit will help you make a safe and solid improvement plus make the improvement insurable.

Second, don't cut corners on the materials. Getting things on sale is very good but substituting "cheap" materials for good quality may cost you down the road. If you are putting in walls, then use a thickness great enough to keep sounds in a room. If you don't know what is best, ask the folks where you are buying the materials. Having conversations travel from closed room to closed room is not a good thing.

Third, get the site ready. This means have a protected place for your arriving materials and a protected place for your tools. If you have drawn a sketch of the project, be sure there are multiple copies and a dry space for storing these sketches. Having a place for things is a great help to people who are not every day contractors.

Fourth, get organized. Get the tools that you think you will need and bring them to the place of work. Get the best quality tools you can afford. Again, buying "cheap" is not a good idea. Then be sure your needed materials are on site when you begin. Interrupted projects are prime targets for mistakes because we often forget some of the details of where we left off.

Fifth, if you are going to paint, do it professionally. This means get the correct paint. Consult with the paint seller on what is best for the surface you are going to paint. Water based, oil based, indoor, outdoor as well as color. Prepare the surface. Here again, if you are not sure, ask the paint people what they suggest to cover that surface. Take the time for this step....it may save you money and time in not having to do all over.

Sixth, the oldest advice in carpentry for construction...."measure twice and cut once". Double check any measurement before you make a cut. Add to that the admonition to cut too long because you can make a board shorter but you can't make it longer (not easily). This should be an inbuilt habit..."measure twice and cut once".

Seventh, plan for safety. This means goggles, gloves, headgear and a too pouch. Being sorry is a terrible way to end a project, so be safe. If you are using power tools or in a space that has projecting items, then don't wear loose clothing. Safety is hard for some people because it's about things NOT happening. Be safe and be glad nothing bad happened.

Eighth, stay within your own skills and talents. If it's new to you and it's important, then get some advice. Even the best DIY'ers ask for help now and then. Attempting something for the first time is a frequent source of home accidents...stop and ask.

All of us make mistakes in any project. The eight items listed above will take some of the delay and cost out of a project and allow you to finish with pleasure and success.