The satisfaction of completing a home renovation on your own is only matched by the amount of money you’ll save by doing it yourself. To be sure, though, there are some potential pitfalls that accompany do-it-yourself projects. To avoid these pitfalls, it’s important to be as prepared as possible when you begin a given project. Here are four tips for executing a home renovation on your own to make the entire project efficient and worthwhile.
Have a Plan
The key to any successful project is to start with a good plan. A detailed plan will help ensure you buy the correct materials, rent the correct tools, and complete steps in the correct order so that there is minimal waste throughout the project. A plan should include basic schematics of the project area, a list of supplies, as well as a rough calendar to help you track your progress.
Save Money With Outside Services
Although most aspects of home renovation are less expensive when you do them on your own, there are some components that are less expensive when you utilize outside services to complete them. One such aspect is the removal of waste that you produce during the course of your project. Though you can haul away the waste yourself, it is likely that it will take longer and cost more to do it with the equipment you have at your disposal. If you utilize rubbish removal services, though, you will be able to get rid of all your waste at once for one flat fee.
Tools are Key
Having the right tool for the right job is a key part of a successful home renovation. For example, drilling through concrete with a regular drill fitted with a masonry bit will be far more difficult than drilling through concrete with an impact drill. Rather than trying to tough it out using only the tools you already have, it makes sense to rent tools when they can help save you time and help the project have a more successful outcome.
Don’t Back Yourself into a Corner
Another important part of home renovations is that you work hard to avoid backing yourself into a corner. Essentially, make sure you have a way to access essential services throughout the course of your renovation. If you’re renovating a bathroom, for example, make sure that you have a way to re-install your toilet at the end of every day if your home doesn’t have another bathroom. Otherwise, you may decide that your project isn’t worth the end result, given all the inconvenience involved.
As great as it is to finish a project entirely on your own, it’s okay to ask for help. Even if that means asking a friend to help you with a project that’s easier with two people, it’s okay to swallow your pride and admit when you need a little assistance. Taking advantage of help will ensure that you finish the project more quickly and are able to do it safely.
