Where to Locate Information and Advice for DIY Projects

Home improvement project can be daunting to the first time do it your-selfer. There is no need to be intimidated. There is a lot of free advice available. All you need to know is where to go and look for it.

I have put together a great list of places to go for help, instruction, advice or a simple atta-boy. Do not be afraid to take on a job; however, do remember that some jobs do require professionals. Projects that require plumbing, electrical work often require permits and inspections. It may be best for the first-timer to turn this type of work over to a professional.

Now, on with the show:

Deck Designs: Do you have an idea for a deck but you are not sure how it would look? Are you unsure of the size deck you need? The team at TimberTech has built a great online deck design tool that is easy to use. Registration is free and you can design your own deck. Choose your color, shape and size and easily add rails and stairs. His deck designer allows you to create multi-level decks. you can view your design in3-D and save as many as you would like. When your design is complete you will be able to print your plans as well as a materials list.

Cabinet Refacing: there are many websites out there offering great advice on the subject of refacing your old kitchen and bathroom cabinets. You can gather your information from all these sites and put it all together, or you can simply visit the folks at doityourself.com . This is one of the most comprehensive lists of refacing how-tos I have found. They cover everything from painting Formica to building new ones. Bookmark this one. You will come back to it many times.

Replacing Your Exterior Door: I found a great article by Jeff Gedgaud, an Associated Content writer, that walks you through the whole process of replacing your exterior door. Jeff helps you measure and choose a new door; he explains how to remove the old one, measure for and place the new one. This article is full of helpful information, leaving nothing out.

Bathroom Repairs and Remodel Projects: My search for great do-it-yourself bathroom articles led me to Steve Holder. In Steve's lengthy list of DIY articles, a remodeling contractor shares a great deal of information on how to replace a tub or shower, how to replace the refill valve I your toilet, step by step; and how to caulk your bathtub.

When we think of do-it-yourself projects, we forget about small appliances. It is becoming harder and harder to locate someone to fix that blender your just love, or help get your garbage disposal up and running again. I found a wealth of small appliance repair information on the howstuffworks.com website. They can help you get that favorite toaster or coffee pot back up and running in no time.

What do you do if your kitchen remodel project is going to be a lengthy one? You can easily set up a temporary one if you know what you will need, and here is where you will find out how.

If you have always wanted an outdoor kitchen but didn't know where to begin, well this article will help you get started.

Before beginning a project for the first time, review it carefully. Taking the time to learn about the job can end up saving a great deal of time and money and can also turn an overwhelming task into a done deal.