BadArt

7 Steps to Complete Home Projects

Confidence

You have to start with the confidence that you can complete the job. The skills needed must be something you have or can learn. A librarian is not going to build a swimming pool but a plumber might. People with marginal skills can do great work. Ask yourself if your put your energy and mind to it could you accomplish the task at hand? Could you?

Ask

Professionals are usually glad to let you know how hard it is to do their job. Ask them about the most difficult part of the task. I start with my handy man that is a jack of all trades but has out grown me. He does not have time to do smaller jobs any more but will answer my lame questions. He’s even lent me tools to get bigger jobs done. Over the years my father and brother have taken on lots of jobs and in a pinch I bet they could build a modest house. I also feel they’re a good judge of my skill level and will tell me if I can handle a job.

Study

While you are checking your confidence level you should cost the job. This is an evaluation of what needs to be done exactly; how much each step cost (time and money) and supplies and tools needed. Because, how can you be confident you can do it, if you don’t know what needs to be done. If you are isolated or can’t get help from friends or family this is the time to find experts and ask away. Some of these experts will assume you will eventually give them the work. And sometimes you will. I will never do any electric work and only the most minor plumbing; know your limits. The point is most jobs you don’t know you can’t do until you ask. Recently we took apart a washing machine hoping it needed a belt. When we realized the belt was find we knew we had surpassed our skill level. Walla, a new washer! While looking on line and asking the pros you may find the difficulty makes the job worth the cost of hiring a professional. Or you may increase your skill level. The more you do the more you can do.

Supplies

Be sure you have all the supplies you will need. Set up a staging ground and outline the steps to completion. I just finished tiling a bathroom and there is lots of small steps to get ‘er done. On the ask potion I was intimidated by the wet saw. Well, I hired a guy to cut and lay the tiles and I did the grout work. As you purchase the materials you can organize steps. When putting in a new kitchen my husband and I did the demo and I worked with my handy guy to set the cabinets. This reduced our cost considerably. While helping with the bath I picked up the we saw skills to tile the backslash.

Tools

Every home owner should have a basic set of tools. Certain jobs will require you augment that considerably. Tools for laying tile or demo work mentioned above are easy to borrow or purchase. If a tool is crazy expensive you can rent, borrow or purchase. I found a tile saw was cheaper to purchase than to rent. Yes, now I have the awesome he-man tool but I can use it, sell it or leave it in the garage and I’ll still be ahead. Start with the basics tools and build from there.

Do it!

Once you know you can complete said task, asked the pros, gather your supplies and studied your proverbial butt off your ready. Schedule triple the time to get it done and get started. Copy the pages from the computer, have someone more knowledgeable on speed dial and go!

Have a Go To Person and a Schedule

The go to person could be you. The voice of reason. It could be one of your on call pros. Just have someone to bounce idea off: it will keep that confidence up. And finally have a schedule. I don’t want you to rush but stopping in mid cycle and putting up the tools is to much like quitting. Finish in a timely manner. That being said don’t be afraid to throw in the towel and hire someone if all the confidence, studying and tools won’t help. At least you tried.

Confidence

I end with confidence because it takes confidence to begin and sometimes it takes more to live with the results. I’m the only one who knows where the mistakes are and I’m really proud of my DIY Skills. Hope you can say the same.