DIY = Do It Yourself. DIY Shortcuts = save time by doing it yourself!
Do It Yourself! DIY Shortcuts
Do it yourself!
This is the web site for the Do It Yourselfers out there! You enjoy a challenge! You like to do it your way! You’d rather do something from a to z so you can feel s asense of accomplishment when you have completed your project! That’s the kind of stuff we love here at DIY Shortcuts!
From home improvement projects you can do yourself all the way to garden, automotive, hobby and high tech DIY projects – we cover everything DIY!
Listen to people who have completed do-it-yourself projects and very often they’ll tell you that the projects took way too much time!
Do it yourselfers will often also tell you that the money they thought they would spend grew astronomically high.
Get it right DIY people!
The basic reason is that DIY’ers usually make a lot of mistakes that end up making home improvement projects more expensive and time-consuming. We’re here to help.
How to Approach DIY Projects and Save Money
Are you a do-it-yourself enthusiast? More and more people are getting into DIY. With the current state of the economy, fewer people are choosing to move home. Many are making do with their present circumstances and repairing and remodelling their houses.
Is DIY for you? What should you ask yourself before engaging in DIY work on your property?
Consider some of the areas where you could save money by doing it yourself: Projects in the bathroom; bedroom; dining room; games rooms; garage; home office; kitchen; landscape; living room; patio & decks.
Bear in mind that not all DIY jobs you do on your home will increase the value of your home.
Painting and decorating your home, for example, can be very worthwhile. It isn’t likely to put much value on your property, but it will of course make it far more saleable.
Count The Cost
Before ever starting a job, work out its cost. You will find that a comparison of the charges of a skilled professional with the cost of materials for what you would need to do it yourself will be revealing. But do not forget the hidden extras. What are they?
Many professionals guarantee that their work will meet a certain standard at a specified time. If they fail, you can often seek some type of compensation. In the long run, to pay a little more and benefit from the services of a professional may be to your advantage.
Another factor to reckon with is the cost of your time. Being ‘married’ to DIY work can cause tension with family and friends.
It is possible, nevertheless, to maintain good family relationships and still work on do-it-yourself projects. How? By enlisting the help of your family. They can join you, either in planning or in actually doing the work, perhaps even taking care of some of your other duties while you concentrate on the work to be done.
You may work things out well, planning the project and enlisting the cooperation of your family, but do you have the right tools?
The Right Tools
Basic tools to consider buying-
* 12 foot tape measure
* Claw hammer
* Insulated pliers
* Set of screwdrivers
* Junior hacksaw
* Box cutter with retractable blade
* Spirit level
* Small adjustable spanner
On occasion, you may find renting some of the larger power tools a viable option if their purchase price is too great but the need vital. You can manage many a DIY project with very basic tools. However, for these to be of lasting value, care for them well.
Where will you keep your tools? When deciding on a storage area, make sure the tools are protected and treated properly so they remain in good condition. Throwing tools together in a drawer can damage them. Arrange a designated place for each tool. Fasten a board on the wall of your workshop or tool cupboard. Then clasp and hang the tools there.
Some hand tools that are used under tension, such as fretsaws, may require release before storage. Most tools will require cleaning and oiling to maintain their value. Make tool maintenance a part of whatever do-it-yourself project you undertake.
You have figured out the cost and opted to do it yourself. You have all the tools ready and in good condition. ‘But there is something missing,’ you say. ‘I am not experienced.’ Does this mean that DIY work is ruled out?
Success Without Experience?
Success on a first-time job does not come automatically. A helpful guide, though, is always follow the instructions. But whose instructions?
Before you start any DIY, consult the experts. You can draw on the accumulated wisdom of the experts by reading their suggestions in many DIY manuals. Or, if you know someone who has already successfully done a similar job, ask him how he managed it and what tips he can offer.
Safety, Safety, Safety!
Remember the need for safety. Use the tools only in the way they are intended to be used. If your children help you, teach them respect and proper care for tools, especially for those that are sharp and dangerous.
The variety of projects that you can undertake for yourself is great. But to avoid being unbalanced in such jobs, take into account other people’s advice. Then adapt the suggestions to your own circumstances. Whatever the proposed project, study it carefully before you decide to do it yourself.
If doing anything with electricity, remember that safety has to come first. Don’t take shortcuts, it might mean your life! If working with gas, unless you are properly qualified, and are registered as such with the appropriate authorities, then you must get in a qualified person, and not attempt to tackle the work yourself.
Geoff Cummings runs a DIY tools site and is also involved with other sites. For a full range of power tools for both around the home, and the garden, take a look at http://www.ourhometools.com where visitors will find the right products at the right prices.
Here are 10 additional tipsto avoid the top DIY home improvement mistakes and ensure success.
1. Take out the required permits — it’s amazing how many DIYers skip this step. Sure, it takes time, and it means you have to deal with the government, but it’s actually in your best interest to make sure get the required home improvement permits. The folks in the permitting office will make sure the project is done correctly and that you stay safe in the process. Also, for some projects, you’ll need proof that you have a permit or your insurance company won’t cover the improvement. You’ll probably need a permit for any project larger than wallpapering and painting. If you’re unsure, call your local building department and ask.
2. Have all the tools and materials you need available before you start your project — starting a job without the necessary tools and supplies will slow down the job and delay your progress. And make sure you buy quality tools. They’re a wise investment.
3. Prepare the job site for material deliveries — when your suppliers deliver materials, you’ll want to make sure the job site is ready to accept them. You don’t want your materials exposed to the weather while you are working and you want to have a storage area to prevent theft.
4. Don’t skimp on materials — for example, don’t use 1/4-inch drywall for building walls. Use at at least 5/8-inch; and 3/4-inch works well for a good sound barrier. Use 3/4-inch plywood for sub-floors. It creates a much stronger floor.
5. Prepare the walls for painting — clean the walls, sand them and patch any holes before you paint. Use a coat of primer or stain blocker if you’re trying to cover over oil-based paint, stains or peeling paint, or if you’re painting a lighter color over a darker color.
6. Use the correct paint — use flat paint ceilings. Interior paints should have at least an eggshell or satin finish so you can scrub it. For outdoor decks, use a linseed-oil-based stain to drive the pigment into the wood and preserve it.
7. Keep safe while working — you don’t want to end up in the emergency room. Wear safety goggles when using power tools or working with drywall or wood. Wear a hard hat when you’re working under other people on scaffolding, and open some windows when you’re painting or staining, or stripping old finishes off of floors or walls. Don’t wear loose, hanging clothing, especially when using power tools. Wear gloves when carrying wood, metal and rock, or when hammering, and wear a nail or tool pouch to prevent damage to your floors, feet, and pets.
8. Measure twice and cut once — probably the most important rule of any project. If you’re going to make a mistake, make it too long. You can always make something shorter. You can’t make it longer.
9. Know the limits of your abilities — you’re not going to be good at everything. If you don’t have a lot of experience at plumbing or electrical work, for instance, don’t attempt those projects.
10. Don’t start to learn how to do a project on your own house — If you want to learn how to do a project, offer your assistance to a friend who is an experienced DIYer or a contractor. And if you have any question about what you’re doing, make sure you stop and ask.
You probably won’t eliminate all of your DIY home improvement mistakes, but you can surely reduce them with these 10 tips.
Do It Yourself! DIY Shortcuts
Do it yourself!
Do It Yourself Summer Gardens
The furniture you choose for your summer garden is going to be a personal choice. If possible try to choose enough furniture to accommodate those guests that you feel will frequently enjoy dining in your garden. If you plan to host a wide range of barbecues and garden parties you will want plenty of garden furniture to accommodate those needs. If you are only going to have immediate family then the typical arrangements for a family should suffice. Be sure that there are seating options available for occasional guests even if there aren’t dining options readily available.
One of those things that many of us love sharing with our children is our love of gardening. Whether you are creating a spectacular garden worthy of acclaim, fame, and blue ribbons everywhere or a simple garden that will hold pretty flowers and a few favorite vegetables there are many lessons that your children can learn from working the earth by your side.
The first, and perhaps best, lesson that most children learn when working in the garden is that life works in cycles.
This is a lesson that will be repeated often throughout the course of their lives.
Of course this is only one of the many lessons that gardening will teach but gardening is one of the kindest ways I’ve ever seen this particular lesson learned and it helps ease children into those times when lessons about the cycle of life are not so kindly or gently presented.
The next lesson that gardening teaches children is that persistent effort often pays out with delightful results. Whether their gardening efforts yielded sweet peppers or pretty flowers, there is often a desired result that is achieved through gardening. If you really want to capture your children’s attention when it comes to gardening choose a fast growing plant for their first gardening experience. The ability to see the fruits of their labor quickly appear is often one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.
If you want to guide your children towards the path of creating a summer garden without quite the fanfare or responsibility you may want to begin simply-perhaps with a potted plant or a hanging tomato plant or something similar that will yield visible and tasty results with much less effort, time, or attention being required in order to achieve quick and enthusiastic results.
Be sure to point out interesting facts about the different plants in your garden that may be exciting to children to learn. Remember your first gardening experiences and share them with your children. You may be surprised to find how much you have in common with your children when it comes to ideas and enthusiasm concerning summer gardens.
Be careful that you aren’t teaching them incorrect logic when it comes to gardening and growing beautiful summer plants.
More importantly, you should make a concerted effort to insure that you are teaching your children the positive aspects of gardening so that this becomes an activity they look to for enjoyment and pleasure rather than approaching with dread. You should also take great pains to insure that you allow your children to grow the things they will like in your summer garden too. Strawberries and watermelon are popular favorites for younger hands to grow because little mouths enjoy eating these delicious fruits that can be grown in most gardens. They also like to grow flowers that they can tend and watch throughout the summer if flowers are your summer garden calling rather than food.
When gardening with children there are many lessons that you can teach your children along the way. Science, math, and meteorology all have roles in gardening but you should also be on the lookout for the valuable lessons that your children can teach you aboutgardening and life in general when you take them out to work with you in your summer garden.
Once you’ve made all the really tough decisions about which plants, flowers, and vegetables to include in your summer garden you now have the pleasant task of making yet another decision: what type of furniture should go in your summer garden. This is no small decision and should not be taken lightly as it will ultimately affect your enjoyment of the garden you worked so hard to create.
The furniture that is ultimately selected for the summer garden should be furniture that is meant to last several years. For this reason you need to invest a little more time and effort into selecting the best possible furniture for your summer garden.
You should also include your normal flare for design when selecting your summer garden furniture. You want the furniture you select for your garden to be furniture that you find enjoyable and beautiful as well as comfortable. No one wants to sit in uncomfortable furniture for any length of time and most people do not feel comfortable in furniture that they find ugly.
Buy with all these things in mind and you should have furniture for your summer garden that is sure to delight and please all that enter your garden area. More importantly, you should have furniture that you enjoy.
Once you’ve decided how many will be enjoying your garden area and in need of seating arrangements you may want to discuss and decide what type of seating arrangements are needed most. The man of the house might expect a hammock and while teenaged girls and the lady of the house may expect lounge chairs in which they can enjoy the full warmth of the sun’s rays on lazy summer days within your summer garden. Another common expectation for appropriate furnishing in a summer garden is a swing or a glider of some sort in which couples may sit and inspect the splendor of their creations.
Most people spend a great deal of time planning the landscape, flowers, and greenery of their summer gardens but very little time planning the decorative items that will make this little spot of heaven on earth even more enjoyable for man, woman, child, and pet. There are many things that can add to your comfort when enjoying your summer garden but here is a list of things you might want to seriously consider including in your own personal oasis from the world.
A hammock. There really can’t be enough said about the value that a well placed hammock in your summer garden will add to the enjoyment of your time spent in the great outdoors. This is particularly true, for some unknown reason, for men. There is something about hanging a hammock that says this place is home to a man and this should not be overlooked when creating the outdoor place you wish to share together.
Wind chimes. There is something soothing about listening to the wind making music in your garden. Whether you are enjoying a nap in your hammock, catching some rays on a lounge chair or simply sitting outside reading a book and sipping some tea the sound of wind weaving a melody through the chimes is a very enjoyable sound.
While most men will argue that a hammock is all they need most women cannot find outdoor comfort by hammock alone. Hammocks are also woefully inadequate seating when there are crowds larger than two involved in most cases.
Flowerpots. While your summer garden may be filled with flowers, plants, bushes, trees, fruits, and vegetables there is rarely the occasion when there is too much color in a summer garden. Fill large flowerpots with impatiens or similar flowering plants and place them strategically around the seating area for a beautiful affect that brings the beauty of your summer garden well onto your patio or deck. The same thing may be accomplished on a larger scale with a few well-placed raised garden beds or a few climbing vines.
Water features. There is not enough that can be said about the drama and elegance that a water feature can bring to the average summer garden. Whether you elect to include a fountain, waterfall, or goldfish pond the additional value and enjoyment it provides to your garden is almost impossible to measure. Water features are a rather significant investment in your garden area but well worth the money you will invest when it comes to return on investment. Your family and your friends will appreciate the effect that this brings to your summer garden.
Many may consider their summer gardens decoration enough. However, a few small decorative touches can mean the different between a summer garden that is nice to stroll through and a summer garden that invites everyone to sit a while and enjoy the effort you’ve contributed to the creation of this little slice of your world. Plan your summer garden carefully and you too will have this reaction every time you walk through it.
