DIY is brilliant. It can be a great way to save money while making improvements to your home. Tackling big home renovation projects for yourself could save you a fortune, as generally installation, contractors and labor, costs a lot more than parts and supplies. But it’s about more than saving money. Doing it for yourself means that you’ve got full creative and practical control. You can get the home of your dreams without having to compromise your vision to what other people can do. You can do it in your own time, using things that you want to, and adding features where you can. Improved DIY skills can also mean that you are more able to cope with a crisis at home, stay calm under pressure and that you have the knowledge and skills needed to make repairs around the house, without having to wait for, or spend money on help. If you’ve got the skills, it’s certainly worth taking on home renovations for yourself.
But, there are always going to be dangers. Working with tools and equipment will always carry risks, and if you haven’t been professionally trained, these risks can be higher. You certainly wouldn’t be the first person to sustain a serious injury while tackling a large DIY project. You wouldn’t even be the first person to get injured changing a lightbulb or putting up a shelf. DIY injuries are exceedingly common, and in some cases serious.
That shouldn’t put you off, however, the benefits of taking on home improvements for yourself far outweigh the risks, and even better, there is plenty that you can do to reduce those risks and keep yourself safe.
Work with the Right People
Unless you really are an expert, you might need some help along the way. You shouldn’t take on any jobs that involve gas work, plumbing or electrics, for example, unless you are well trained and if you are making massive renovations, you might want to seek the advice of an architect before getting your sledgehammer out.
But, not all professionals are equal. If you are injured during the work, and the professional that you are using is at fault, you might be able to seek help from The Derrick Law Firm, but it would be better to avoid harm altogether. Ask for recommendations, and references, look at examples of previous work and read feedback and reviews online before committing to any tradesmen.
Use the Right Tools
Using old, blunt or damaged tools can be dangerous and make your job much harder. Generally, more people cut themselves on a blunt knife than a sharp one. Get the right tools to do the job well and keep your toolbox topped up with what you need, replacing things when they are no longer able to do the job safely.
If you do need something new, don’t try to make do with what you’ve got. Many tools have specific functions, and won’t do other things as well. If you want to stay safe and complete the job to a high standard, take the time to find the right tools for it.
Read Instructions
Are you terrible at reading instructions? You’re not alone. Most of us are guilty of just having a go, and only looking at the instructions once we’ve tried and failed, or when something didn’t work as we expected it to. In many areas, just having a go is fine. When it comes to DIY, this can be terribly dangerous, especially if you are using power tools or sharp objects. Make sure you read the instructions before using anything unfamiliar. It can also be worth doing a little more research, reading tips online and even watching videos before you get started.
Take Your Time
A massive mistake people make with home renovations is rushing. They are keen to get their home the way that they want it, and sometimes eager to reduce any time living without certain rooms and facilities, or even living in a different location while work is completed.
But, rushing leads to mistakes. These mistakes can be costly. They can mean that your job takes longer, that it isn’t as good as it should be and doesn’t last as long, and maybe even that you have to call in a professional or team to fix things. Rushing work can also mean that you are at a much greater risk of injury and accident. When we rush, we don’t take care, we make silly mistakes, and we put ourselves, and anyone working with us in danger.
Take your time. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get the work done safely so that you don’t need to rush. Prepare your family for a long time out of the house, or without some facilities and relax.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
We also make mistakes when we are tired. It can be tempting to stay up late working, to try and get more done. But, if you are working on your home around a job or other commitments, this can leave you exhausted.
Take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, eat well, and get some fresh air. You’ll find it much easier to focus, and you’ll be less likely to get hurt. Then, when you are working, rest if you need to. Back pain is exceptionally common if you are carrying heavy loads, or spending a long time bent over. If your body hurts, take a day off, get some extra rest and give your body the break that it needs, pushing too hard will weaken it and make it more susceptible to injury.
Have a Day Off
If you can, take time off work while you complete your project. If this isn’t possible, it can quickly start to feel as though all of your free time is spent on your DIY tasks. This can lead to stress, tiredness, and you might find that you start to lose focus. Give yourself a break. Take time off to do something fun now and then, and give yourself time to unwind after a tough day.
