Home DIY and refurbs have always been a common theme for those wanting to increase the value of their home or simply make it more suitable for their lifestyle. More recently, and due to the restrictions caused by COVID-19, both homeowners and home renters have undertaken significant DIY projects.
The internet provides both the inspiration and the oftentimes confusing simple steps to do whatever it is your heart desires with your living space. With the absolute saturation of these ‘How to guides’ and YouTube videos promising to make your next DIY project a huge success, here are five genuinely simple tips to guide you.
Plan Thoroughly
You must have a clear vision for what you intend to do. Whether it’s only changing some light fittings or adding extra rooms, it is most useful to have a clear picture of where you want to end up. What do you want it to look like and why?
This is where you can really make use of the internet and the availability of free software, and the wide range of visual examples that are out there. More likely than not, someone has had an idea similar to yours, and their pictorial evidence should be your first step, simply improve upon what’s already out there. Use design software and visualization tools that are available, and if its structural changes you want to make, you may need a professional to assess your ideas and pictures. They will provide you with structural design should you want to remove a wall or an extra bathroom.
Rework Rather than Restart
Always start off by assessing whether the existing structure or design element can be improved to suit your ideas and plans as aforementioned. Don’t dig up a cracked concrete floor when you can easily use products like colored polyurethane foam for seamless repairs. Look to use the same or similar foam products for improved insulation. Before you begin to deconstruct with the sledgehammer, evaluate to see if a good bout of maintenance and creative design and color will solve the issue.
Go Green
Add rainwater tanks to create a water-saving design, such as converting and filtering grey water for garden use. Installation of Solar panels and the use of renewable building materials will go a long way to increasing the home value and making it a more desirable option for many.
Don’t Interfere with Electrics or Plumbing Without a Professional
These are the two things homeowners spend the most on, fixing DIY mistakes. Don’t be afraid to hire help; it’s still your project and ideas. However, you may be better served by having the professionals implement it in the areas there’s most risk, such as the water and electrics.
Know the Local Building Regulations and Abide by Them
There’s no point spending a fortune and all your spare time on an additional room, ensuite bathroom, or home office only to find that it is not legal and face the threat of having to remove it. Source a copy of the local building regulations and if it’s a DIY project that requires sign-off and approval, make sure that you have these.
If you follow these simple tips, you’re less likely to end up with major issues. They are what they are, the simple things that frequently fall between the cracks, leaving many a home DIY enthusiast at their wit’s end.
