We very much live in a DIY age right now, and as a homeowner, it can often feel like doing it yourself is less a choice than a right of passage. This is how you make your mark on your property, right? It’ll certainly help you to save face in front of the neighbors. Just imagine them looking out and seeing you slaving away. They’ll be inspired, neigh, moved by your dedication.
Or will they? In truth, the neighbors probably don’t give a damn what you do, and we’re sorry to tell you that this DIY narrative often does more damage than good. After all, even with the best efforts, home-done improvements can look a little…well, slapdash.
That’s probably not what you want for your home, and it’s certainly not going to help with overall property value. So, next time you reach for your toolkit, it might be worth asking yourself – what am I trying to prove? If you have any doubts, then we suggest you give yourself a break and simply call the experts. You needn’t even feel bad about it, and we’re here with a guilt-free guide to prove why! Simply keep on reading to find out how you can move past the compulsive pressure to DIY every home project.
# 1 – Accept What You Don’t Know
Nowadays, it’s possible to watch videos on nearly everything online, and this can drive homeowners to try DIY projects they probably wouldn’t have dreamt of previously. But, just because the information is out there, doesn’t mean you’re automatically the best person for the job. After all, you can watch numerous videos about the best way to frame your room, but you’ll still struggle to get the same results as an experienced full-service interior design team. So, in the words of Frozen’s Elsa, let it go, and simply accept the things that you don’t know about how your home should be. After all, that’s what the pros are there for!
# 2 – Face the Financial Realities
Many of us cite cost savings as a reason to give DIY a go, but let us stop you there because if you’re an unconfident DIYer, savings simply aren’t guaranteed. In fact, if you have to redo a DIY job, or pay for professional solutions to DIY damage, you could soon end up spending double. If you’re not a well-versed DIYer, you’ll also probably need to fork out for everything from circular saws to a well-stocked toolkit, much of which you may use once before deciding that DIY isn’t for you. Still not convinced? Bear in mind that badly done DIY can also knock money off your overall home value, as opposed to professional work, which can add generous percentage amounts.
# 3 – Settle Into Shorter Time Frames
Home renovations take time. DIY projects take longer. In fact, tackling a task yourself between work and research can turn a month-long job into a year-long trauma, and even then, you might need professional touch-ups. If you’re renovating a space like your kitchen, all of that will cause untold disruption, potentially making your house unlivable for a large part of the project, which means you’ll need to spend even more on accommodation elsewhere. Either that, or you’ll have to move back in with your parents and face all the stress that can cause. By comparison, pros can not only get jobs finished more quickly and to a better standard, but they’ll also have additions like temporary stoves and plenty of tarpaulins to ensure you can stay at home, even during the height of work.
# 4 – Remember the Safety Elements
DIY jobs might seem like fun, but serious work can be dangerous, especially if you’re repairing older homes that could contain asbestos and other hazards. Equally, if you’re using power tools without truly knowing what you’re doing, there’s every chance of serious injury along the way. Professionals, however, are fully trained in risk management and will be able to advise you on everything from asbestos removal, to when and where you need to avoid during the use of power tools and other safety risks. If you value your life, and your DIY skills are truly lacking, then it’s probably worth just skipping the pretense and making that phone call to the pros.
Conclusion
DIY might look like a dream, but it’s a sweaty, stressful task that you should probably avoid if you’re experiencing any doubts. Luckily, you needn’t feel guilty about calling on the pros when you simply consider these pointers beforehand.
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