| Do it Yourself, or DIY, is an increasingly popular trend | | | | geared to helping the nonprofessional. Not only are |
| in home improvement: it allows you to think outside | | | | these places staffed with the handiest men and |
| the tool box. As many people question why they | | | | women, but they also hold seminars and have several |
| should hire someone else for things they can do | | | | books and educational materials dedicated to the art |
| themselves, projects are taken on by home owners | | | | of DIY. |
| instead of contractors. While DIY does have its | | | | A good tool collection: Home improvement projects |
| advantages, it also has disadvantages. On the | | | | aren't ones in which you should skimp: the point is to |
| negative side, DIY projects require much more | | | | improve your home, not the opposite. While buying |
| preparation than simply hiring help. The following is a | | | | top of the line materials is important, using top of the |
| list of five things you need to keep your DIY from | | | | line tools is as well. It's hard to do a good job if you |
| being DOA. | | | | are working with tools that don't. If your tool box is |
| A friend with a truck: There is a reason people with | | | | missing essential pieces, filled with very old and dull |
| trucks sometimes have bumper stickers reading, "No, | | | | tools, or is the color pink, upgrade your tool collection |
| I will not help you move." When engaging in any | | | | before you begin your DIY project. |
| activity that involves carrying loads, a friend with a | | | | Patience: Ah, patience: if it could be put in a bottle |
| truck automatically becomes your BFF. Some home | | | | and sold on store shelves the world would be a much |
| improvement jobs might not require hauling large | | | | better place. But, alas, patience is something we just |
| items, but when you begin a project that does, | | | | have to teach ourselves. DIY home improvement |
| knowing someone with a truck will save you time, | | | | projects have the potential to test patience in |
| money, and any potential damage you might accrue | | | | anyone. These projects can be frustrating, annoying, |
| shoving a pile of lumber into your Pinto. | | | | and go completely wrong. For this reason, it's |
| A hardware store with a knowledgeable staff: When | | | | important to remind yourself to take a deep breath, |
| it comes to DIY projects, a good hardware store is | | | | relax and read the instructional manual before you |
| your Mecca, and a place that will become your | | | | begin. Reading it afterwards just doesn't seem to |
| second home. Luckily, hardware stores, particularly | | | | have the same affect. |
| the bigger chains like Lowe's and Home Depot, are | | | | |