Buying a new property is a very exciting time. You may find that you put all of your efforts into making it something special and you may also find that you are willing to do whatever it takes to really bring out the best of it. If you want to renovate the property as well however, then this can take some time and you may even find that the cost of the materials and labour is enough to put you in some serious debt. If you want to avoid this while saving money, then DIY is the way to go, and here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Buy Things Cheap
It’s true what they say, there is a time to save but there is also a time to spend. If you try to save money when it comes to paint, you will have white walls to start with but they will soon turn yellow and this will mean that you have to do the whole thing all over again. With screws and nails, you may find that they snap and bend all the time and this is something that you’ll want to avoid. The main rule here is to compromise on your equipment, but not your materials. A blunter saw may take you longer to cut through a piece of wood, but that piece of wood may go on to look great in your home for years to come. Cheap wood however will splinter, snap and look unsightly, regardless of how good your saw is.
Reclaimed is the Way to Go
Reclamation yards are often seen teaming up with renovators and for good reason. What was once seen as shabby and chic is now seen as being modern and trendy. Second-hand shops are a great way for you to find that perfect rug or even that perfect artwork for your home. You can even go to a salvage yard to try and find the things you need to get the job done as well, not to mention that auctions are ideal. If you are looking for discounted homes for sale then why not look on auction websites to try and get some new doors, a conservatory or even some windows? You’d be surprised at the bargains you see on there. A lot of people may even be willing to deliver them right to your home if you’re in the local area so you won’t have to wait for a courier.
Flat Pack and DIY
You may think that the smaller and more local DIY warehouses are something for you to turn your nose up at. They often have great deals on tiles and flooring, way better than that of DIY superstores. So it’s worth checking them out and it is also worth having a look around to see if there are any hidden DIY stores in your area as well. Remember that going cheaper doesn’t always mean compromising quality, and in some instances you can get the exact same product but from another company for a much lower price.
Things You Can Do
So when you DIY or when you are renovating your own home, there are a couple of things that you can do but there are also things that you’ll want to avoid as well. Things that you can do include ripping out your old bathroom and you can even batten your walls as well. You can even fix the plasterboard in time for your plasterer coming round as well. It is also more than possible for you to lay any wooden flooring that you have and if you know that you need to replace the tiles or the grout then this is also a job for you. The main thing that you have to remember here is that even if you mess up, these jobs are very easy to correct and in the worst-case scenario, you’ll only waste a couple of tiles. If you have a good level of DIY experience then you may even be able to fit the kitchen as well, but it helps to avoid fitting the oven or any gas related appliances because if this goes wrong then you’ll end up putting the entire family at risk. The best thing about this is that when you go through a commercial provider when buying your oven and hob, they’ll usually offer you an installation service for free or even for a small fee, so you shouldn’t have any problems at all there.
So what else can you do yourself? You can fit any rainwater drainage systems and you can also hang your own doors as well. The main thing with hanging doors is making sure that it doesn’t catch on the bottom of the strip, and this can take some time and some practice. Again, if you mess this up, you will need to buy a new door but most of them come with the holes pre-drilled so the only thing you’ll have to replace is the doorway panels. Light switches are also very easy to install, as long as you have a grounding device.
Things You Can’t Do
So now you’re on a confidence boost about all of the things you can do, it’s time to move on to the things that you can’t do. Plastering is one of them. Plastering is a job that requires a lot of skill and if you mess it up then it will be incredibly obvious. Any work involving gas should be avoided and you should also be avoiding any bricklaying as well. The main reason for this is that it looks easy but it isn’t at all and if the brick is unstable then this will cost you dearly. It helps to hire a professional to take care of this for you as it will save you time and money and this is always good when you are trying to take care of 90% of the project yourself.
Renovating your home is easy, when you know what you’re doing!