At some point we will all happen upon a home project that that we believe we can handle ourselves. For me, it's happening more often because I am beginning to refuse the idea that I don't know something or can't at least try. Doing it yourself is also a lot cheaper, that's for sure.
As we strap on tool belts, it would be nice to know what to watch out for and what pitfalls others experienced. While there may be crazy DIY stories out there, Wise Bread has a nice list of DIY pitfalls that pertain to almost all projects.
The one that I am most susceptible to:
Mistake #5 – Ummmmm, that’s close enough.That tip pertains to all aspects of all projects and no matter how many times you hear it, there is always a little voice in your head that says, "That's good enough". Do it right the first time, and there will be no need for a second time.
My pop is a great DIY dude. He told me something that was not exactly original, but I never forgot it. “Measure twice, cut once.” And you know what I’m talking about if you’ve ever cut anything to length only to realize that you measured at 18 ¼ instead of 18 3/4 . Bang. Your money is down the drain. So, always, always err on the side of making something a bit too long. It’s much easier to cut down than build up. So, remember. Measure twice, cut once on anything from drywall to plumbing pipes and crown molding.
For the remainder of Wise Bread's tips, read Like DIY? Avoid these TEN costly mistakes.
photo: stopnlook on Flickr
