Starting a DIY Project Properly

Whether you’re a seasoned handyman or first trying your hand at nailing up a hook and putting on some paint, any new project needs good preparation to go smoothly. Going through these steps can help you get your project done right with less frustration and with less wasted time and money.

Know what has to be done: Before making any plans, make sure you’re clear on what the problem is or what upgrade you want to do. 

Do your research: Once you’ve pinned down where the creaky door hinge is or which kitchen cabinets you want to change, look for the best solution to your problem, and for cosmetic changes, the one you’ll like most. Compare plenty of materials and styles before making a decision.

Work out your budget: Especially for bigger projects, keep in mind from the beginning how much money you want to spend. In some cases, there might be a minimum necessary to get the job done right, so think about how much you’re able to spare. Make sure all the materials and any labour you might need are accounted for, and try to leave some extra room for emergencies. Look for cheaper brands, materials, or methods that you can use without compromising quality.

Consider checking with a professional: Even if you’re doing the actual work yourself, you might want to ask for advice in how best to finish your projects. This can be as simple as asking someone at the hardware store while you’re picking up your parts. For more complicated projects, there might be questions you have for a specialist, or you might want to just confirm that you’re doing things the right way.

Check with your friends: It’s also a good idea to talk to your friends who’ve done similar projects to see if they have any warnings or suggestions, or if they can help you.

Work out your timeframe: Before you start, figure out how long the project should take, so that it doesn’t go on indefinitely. You might even want to set up a schedule. In some cases, you’ll want to be sure to finish before the weather’s likely to change, so keep this in mind before deciding when to start.

Set up a workspace: For many projects, you’ll want to set aside somewhere to lay out tools and materials, as well as doing actual work if you’re working on something like a cabinet door that you’re not keeping in place in the meantime.

Have the right materials: With your budget in place, by now you should have a good idea of what kind of tools and materials you want to finish your project. Make sure you have everything you need before starting—even though in some cases you might wind up changing your mind, it’s best to start off ready.

After all this, you can start off your project confidently. With a good plan in place, you’ll be able to get through what you want to do more smoothly, and will have some flexibility if your plan ends up changing.

If you have a question about the best local supplier for handyman materials in your area, be sure to ask the locals here.