| With an ever-expanding network of home | | | | plan the details of your project, keep a |
| improvement television shows and DIY | | | | running tally of the expense for each |
| magazines, the do-it-yourself home | | | | material. If you don't know how much |
| improvement sector has taken off. Homeowners | | | | something costs, check the Internet or call |
| everywhere are rushing to their local | | | | your local retailer to obtain a price ahead |
| hardware stores, ready to rip out their | | | | of time. |
| bathroom tile or tear down old kitchen | | | | |
| cupboards. | | | | Once you have your budget, add 10-20% extra. |
| | | | Almost every home renovation project, DIY or |
| As excited as you may be to get started on | | | | not, runs up against unexpected expenses - |
| your first DIY home improvement project, | | | | it's just a reality of life's uncertainties. |
| there are a few considerations you should | | | | Whether it is materials that cost more than |
| first take into account. You need to plan, | | | | you expect or a surprise problem that needs |
| understand your project, budget, and be aware | | | | to get fixed, you'll need to have the money |
| of your space. To learn more about these | | | | ready to take care of it. Every good DIY'er |
| basic, but crucial, DIY home improvement | | | | knows to have a little extra on hand. |
| tips, keep reading. | | | | |
| | | | 3. Understand Your Project |
| 1. Plan, Plan, Plan | | | | |
| | | | Before you attempt to tackle a major home |
| Before you even begin a DIY home improvement | | | | improvement project, make sure you know what |
| project, you should have a full plan in | | | | you're doing. Use resources like books, your |
| place. And prior to making that drive to the | | | | local hardware clerk, the Internet and how-to |
| home hardware store, put together a folder | | | | videos to get a good grasp on the project you |
| with all your measurements and a complete | | | | will be undertaking. |
| list of everything you intend to buy, right | | | | |
| down to the last nail. | | | | If you feel like the project is out of your |
| | | | league, don't hesitate to call in a |
| People get excited about projects and don't | | | | professional. |
| want to get right to it instead of "wasting" | | | | |
| time planning. However, by planning you'll | | | | 4. Know Your Space |
| make fewer mistakes, be less likely to waste | | | | |
| materials and time, and much more likely to | | | | This tip is related to planning, but make |
| stay on budget. In the end, you'll be glad | | | | sure you have enough space to take on your |
| you did! | | | | project. Don't try to fit a new island in |
| | | | your kitchen if there isn't sufficient room |
| 2. Budget | | | | for it. Try to live by the old carpenter's |
| | | | adage of "measure twice, cut once. |
| Along with planning, comes budgeting. As you | | | | |