According to the Cambridge Dictionary, DIY, which is an abbreviation for do it yourself, is ‘the activity of decorating or repairing your home, or making things for your home yourself, rather than paying someone else to do it for you’.
If you own your home then, you are likely to have undertaken some DIY work yourself already. Most people can manage some jobs around the home, such as hanging picture frames or putting up shelves without calling in a professional to do it for them. However, some individuals take things a step further and believe that they can do everything around the house, despite not being qualified in areas such as plumbing or electrics. Moreover, while some people manage quite well, others make some kind of mistake that ends up being more costly than it would have been to just hire the professional in the first place. Below are just some of the DIY mistakes you should avoid.
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Taking On Too Much
As mentioned above, there are some jobs that should really be left to those who have been trained to do them. For example, you might think that switching out your current bathroom furniture for new items will be a breeze, but the reality could be completely different. If you make a mistake, you could end up with water everywhere and fixtures that just don’t look right. You might then have to call in a fully qualified plumber to fix your mess.
Even worse would be taking on electrical work with no qualifications. Messing with electrics with no training is extremely dangerous, and it could even be illegal where you live.
Not Using the Right Tools
It is particularly important to use the right tools for the job you are doing. The experts at Devour Tools tell us that there is no point in trying to wing it by using something like a handsaw when a power saw fitted with diamond blades is required. At best, you will end up with a poorly finished job; at worst, you could hurt yourself.
Not Measuring
Putting up shelves or a mirror might look easy, and to be fair, these are two of the simpler DIY jobs –but only when they are done right. If you think you can just pick a spot and hope for the best, you are mistaken. Take hanging a mirror as an example. If you don’t measure the distance of the hanging holes from the top of the mirror, you could end up hanging it too high and then you won’t even be able to see in it. Not using a spirit level is another mistake, especially when putting up shelves. If you don’t check that the shelf is level before you drill the holes into the wall, you are likely to end up with a shelf that tilts to one side.
Not Preparing Surfaces
When it comes to painting, some people just head to the nearest DIY store, buy the paint they like along with the necessary accessories and then get to work immediately. But walls need to be prepared before a fresh coat of paint is applied. You need to fill in any cracks and then sand them down to ensure you are painting onto a smooth surface. You should also use painter’s tape around door frames, light switches, and trims to get a cleaner, more professional looking finish.
To conclude, DIY jobs can save you money, but only if you do them right. Make sure you know what is involved before you get started, and always use the recommended tools for the job.