Most DIY weekend warriors are not afraid to handle a saw and a hammer when the need arises. While the whole DIY industry encourages self-reliance and a reasonable amount of self-confidence, sometimes a professional’s advice can definitely be of immense help. Be fearlessAccording to Margeau Gilbert of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, the shift from hiring contractors to becoming a mini-contractor is on the rise:”Some homeowners are becoming mini-general contractors. The most intrepid will tear down walls, build additions on their houses, erect gazebos or waterfalls and decks. DIY projects are definitely in vogue right now.”DIY projects like painting are fast becoming normal activities, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute: “The faux painting techniques are definitely number one. The results can be incredible when done correctly because painting is the least expensive way to make a change. It’s also probably the easiest and most innocuous of DIY projects”Know your limits According to Ms. Gilberts: “Insurance companies are wary of insuring DIY projects because many aren’t up to code, have inferior materials, or were the product of unsafe shortcuts. I’m not saying that people who do DIY projects are purposely doing this. Ms. Gilberts continues with: “I’m saying that mistakes can be easily made. Above all, know your limits. If you’re handy around tools and have a real comfort level reading manuals written in arcane language, then by all means, have fun.”Dangerous shortcuts Perhaps one of the most dangerous shortcuts one can make is with electrical wires. When installing new electrical wires, make sure that the wires run smoothly inside the walls and that the wires will not twine or snag other wires. Snags or intertwining electrical wires can cause fires. Insulating material and walls that have a 1-inch accommodation for summer expansion can cause a conflagration that can run a house to the ground in hours. Another thing you have to watch out for is small repairs with water pipes. To save yourself the bother of paying for wasted water, make sure that any alteration to water pipes are supported with plenty of plumbing tape. Waterproof and inexpensive, plumbing tapes can seal a leak in seconds. How to save more money with DIY projects To make sure that you’re maximizing the savings, consult a local contractor or builder and get an estimate. Simply bring with you the measurements of a particular projects (such as the wall area if you want to repaint) and ask for an estimate.For a small fee, you can get a professional estimate and of course, advice on what paint to buy and how to efficiently coat your walls. Also, befriending your local contractors will ensure that you can easily call them when something goes wrong. Large projects that require significant manpower must be handled carefully. If you think re-tiling the roof is too big a job for you, don’t force yourself. Simply get a contractor and allow the professionals to finish the job for you. Sometimes, a DIY moment can wait. The important thing is your house is experiencing a make-over, not a gradual demolition.
Archive for the ‘DIY’ Category
From Unsafe Shortcuts To Insurance: An Assessment Of Diy
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010DIY Solar Power at Home
Monday, August 23rd, 2010The year is 2009 and our environment is deteriorating faster than ever before. The automakers are forced to convert to renewable energies if they wish to survive and the power of severe storms is more incredible than ever before. On top of all that, the icecaps are melting and we’re even cutting down our own rain forests. At the rate we’re going, we’ll be having some major environmental problems 30+ years down the road.
The proof is evident to most of us, but luckily we have the power to stop it. An ongoing trend is green energy and people are catching on. There are energy-efficient light bulbs, air conditioners, appliances, and much more. In this article I’d like to discuss one of the new green energy trends on the market, DIY solar power and DIY wind power.
Many people are interested in solar and wind power for their home for two primary reasons. First of all, you save money, and lots of it. If you’re in an area that gets plenty of sun year-round or plenty of wind year-round then you’re truly missing out. The other reason is to save our precious environment for our kids, grandchildren, and many more of our generations to come.
The first thing people turn toward when looking for solar and wind power for their home is a professionally built and installed system. However, these systems literally cost thousands upon thousands of dollars. The typical green energy go-getter (or family for that matter) cannot afford such a system. Not only are they expensive, but the services are hard to come by in some areas. But, what if you could build your own solar panels or your own wind turbines for a fraction of the cost?
It may sound impractical for DIY solar power and wind power because they are newer technologies and sound complex. Besides, where would you buy the materials or kits? Well, I’ve stumbled upon an online guide for DIY solar power and DIY wind power systems. Little to my knowledge, there are many available for purchase online and I’ll share that information with you shortly. First, I’d like to talk about these guides a bit.
DIY solar power & wind power guides show you how to build solar panels and wind turbines from materials most people can find at their local hardware stores. Some people even get into the hobby of building these for fun or for neighbors. Although a DIY project still costs money, it’s far cheaper than a professional job, and they easily pay for themselves over time. If you’re a craftsman, your work can be as professional as a purchased solar panel system.
It all truly depends on where you live, but one wind turbine can generate a significant amount of electricity if you live around the plains. Solar panels on the other hand, you may need a few rigged together to get some decent wattage out of them. Some of the authors will claim you can actually sell any additional power that you generate back to your power company.
Considering you don’t have a surplus of cash sitting in the bank for a professional solar power panel system, but you’re interested in the continued effort to convert to green energy, save money in the long run, and increase the value of your house, give a DIY Solar power project a try, or at leasty a look, before pouring thousands into a professional system.
You Can Do It Yourself! Tackling Diy Bathroom Plumbing
Saturday, August 14th, 2010Do it yourself. A generational catch phrase born from the crop of reality-based television programming that has captured an audience with extravagant remodels accomplished over a weekend and elaborate decorating on a budget. Do it yourself – or DIY – always existed as concept – budget-conscious homeowners pulling up their sleeves to tackle a project armed with tools and the ability to think on their feet. But the phrase do it yourself has produced a whole new harvest of weekend warriors filled with newfound confidence and eager to experience the self-satisfaction of a job well done.
Nothing seems to urge on do-it-yourselfers like a DIY bathroom plumbing project. The evidence lays in the community of homeowners who have dug in their heels, refusing to shell out hard earned dollars to a plumber simply to rectify a leaky faucet. The DIY bathroom plumbing project runs the gamut from drippy faucets and running commodes to noisy nozzles and flooding floors. But even more diverse are the extended projects that result from this initial foray into DIY-land. Suddenly, a DIY bathroom plumbing project becomes a full-blown remodel – vanities replaced; showers re-tiled; original floors swapped for their newer counterparts.
For those who have strapped on their tool belt and begun their journey into their DIY bathroom plumbing project, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is imperative that before beginning any repairs of sinks, toilets, and showers to turn off the water to that location. Nothing ends a DIY bathroom plumbing project quicker than a surprise flood. Further, any project involving electricity should be handled with extreme caution. Just as you turned off the water – turn off the electric power in the bathroom before tackling any projects.
Secondly, be sure that you have the appropriate parts to complete the DIY bathroom plumbing project. Parts that don’t fit will elongate the project and can easily end with disastrous results.
Finally, do your homework. Be sure to research the DIY bathroom plumbing project prior to starting. The Internet can be an enormous source of information as can your local home improvement store. And remember, you may be doing it yourself, but that doesn’t mean you can’t call in a professional if you get in over your head. Sometimes a pro can actually wind up saving you money in the end.
If you are well-researched, organized, and on your toes, your DIY bathroom plumbing project can pay dividends. Not only will you have the bathroom you want, but you’ll have the unrivalled satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.