Top Mistakes Do-it-Yourself Home Project People Make
No permit. Permits help protect you to make sure the job is done correctly and that you don’t get hurt. If you do not get the necessary permits for a job, you could loose your homeowners insurance. Additionally you may actually be fined and forced to bring your project up to code or even tear it down.
The building inspector is a great asset and should be looked upon in that light. Indeed the entire building department can be of great assistance with your project so be sure to stop by and advise them of what you are intending to do. They will help you with the necessary paperwork and also just might provide you with some insight that will help you as you work your project.
Not having the correct tools and supplies. My father would always say, “you need the right tool for the job”. A screw driver is not a chisel so don’t use it as one. If you do not have the correct tools for a job, consider renting them from your local hardware store.
Not having the correct tools will slow you down and impact the overall quality of your project.
Cutting back on materials. Most do it yourself people are budget conscience. You may be tempted to use 1/4-inch drywall for building walls instead of 5/8-inch or 3/4-inch. However the 1/4-inch will not give you a good sound barrier. That could be a big issue if you are using the drywall on a bathroom wall. Be sure that you thoroughly think through all cost cutting steps before you implement them.
Not doing your research. You need to know the steps required to complete your project so take some time to plan the job. Do research down at the library and on the internet. If you have questions, contact the building department for guidance. You want to try to minimize unexpected problems.
Wrong paint. Don’t purchase the cheapest paint. Also make sure that the paint you use is appropriate for the application. Ceilings use flat paint, walls get eggshell or satin finish. If you are painting outdoor, use outdoor paint. Also don’t skimp on primer. A good quality primer will make your finished job look better and you will need to apply less coats of the actual paint if you use a primer first.
Mistakes. Measure twice, cut once. If you undercut a pipe or stud then it will be too short to use and that ends up costing you time and money. Take your time, do it right the first time.
Unsafe job conditions. Always wears safety goggles and ear protection when working with power tools. Hard hats should be used when working on roofs and scaffolding. Proper ventilation is necessary when painting and staining. An injury will not only put a stop to your project but if you need to go to the hospital, you will loose all the money you were trying to save by doing the job yourself. Also don’t wear loose hanging clothing when using power tools and wear proper foot protection. Nothing is more painful then stepping on a rusty nail with a sneaker.
Not knowing your limits. Knowing when to call in a professional is essential. If you don’t understand electricity, you have no business opening your electrical panel box. Some people are just better at certain tasks. For instance, I can frame a home, sweat plumbing joints and even install electrical receptacles. However I can’t paint a room to save my life. So for painting jobs, I bring in a professional. They get the job done right and it ends up looking 100% better then any paint job that I could do.
There is nothing like the feeling of taking on a large project and completing it safely and correctly. Take your time and do the job correctly. Lets say you want to install a deck and plan on 6 weekends of work but it ends up taking 10. If done correctly, the deck will last for years (long after the though of the extra 4 weekends of work have faded away).
Best of luck with your projects.
