You are thinking of doing some DIY repairs to the exterior of your home, but you’ve never done it before. The following will help you get started with your repairs safely and economically.
Get an Inspection
The first thing you should do before you start is to have your home inspected. People might skip this step thinking they can eyeball most issues, but that’s a mistake. While you can see some obvious problems, there could be some underlying issues that need to be addressed before you take care of cosmetic problems. This could delay your project for some time if problems are found, but it could end up saving you money in the long run. Talking to a local inspector will help you plan your DIY with a little more precision. Be sure to talk to a few inspectors in your area to get the best price possible.
Make the Rise Safe
The next thing you need to do is make your workspace as safe as possible. If you are going to be doing extensive exterior work, then it might be a good idea to use safe way scaffolding frames instead of regular ladders. It may seem like an unnecessary expense at first if you have a ladder, but ladders don’t give you much freedom, and you are going to need that depending on what you’ll be doing. On top of that, you’ll be able to work with more than one person at a time.
Be Honest With Yourself
You must be honest with yourself. Yes, you are trying to save money, but that doesn’t mean you should do something that’ll put you or others in danger. After you get your inspection report, leave the repairs you don’t feel comfortable doing to a professional. For the most part, these repairs involve things like electricity. Once you feel ready and confident with your skills, you can move on and do other tasks.
Get the Right Materials
Some people might just to go their local hardware and home repair store. That is okay, but you have more options available to you. Consider purchasing items online, or look for a reclaimed materials store where you can find unused items from previous projects. Most of the time, these items are going to be significantly discounted. You can rent tools from a hardware store, but it may cheaper to buy some tools from a local thrift store. The point of doing this on your own is to save money, so this is something to keep in mind.
Don’t Skip Safety Materials
Safety is important, so make sure you don’t skip this step. Some things you need are easy to get and not too expensive, such as good work gloves and work boots. Make sure your boots have a steel toe so that you are protected should anything fall on your toes. The next thing you want to do is get a harness with a rope to keep you secure. If you don’t take precautions like these, the possibility of an accident happening can be increased. Even if nothing ends up happening, it’s better to be safe when you are doing this kind of work.
Consider Pets and Family
You won’t always be able to see who is below you, and that’s something you have to keep in mind when you are repairing your home’s exterior. You’ll be working with tools and other things. Ideally, you won’t drop any of these items, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. You shouldn’t have your kids or anyone in your family nearby because they could get hurt. You should also think about your pets because they don’t know how dangerous your workspace is. During this time, it would be wise to have the kids or pets stay somewhere else for a while. You could offer a friend or family member a special gift for watching your kids or pets for you.
These are some important steps to take if you plan to do repairs to the exterior of your home. Be sure to take your time with this project to make sure you are doing things right.
