DIY home renovation is a big hit among families during the pandemic, and it’s easy to understand why. Remodeling projects that you do by yourself allows you to achieve your dream home at your own pace and on a set budget. The feeling of complete control over the entire renovation is also too good to miss out on, so without much thought, you’ve brought out your tools and slipped on your gloves. After all, you can always turn to Google for anything you don’t know.
If you’re diving into this with that mindset, you should take a long pause. Believe it or not, DIY is not for everyone, and chances are, it’s not for you if you can identify with these three signs.
You Can’t Tell a Screwdriver from a Chisel
As accessible as information is nowadays, it doesn’t guarantee that your application skills are good enough to pull off a home renovation. This is particularly true if you don’t have the patience to learn a whole new set of sills in the first place. Some things you’ll need to learn include taking measurements, using a hand plane, and prepping lumber with hand tools. In shopping for paint, you’ll need to select one that’s made for the specific surface you’ll apply it on. Don’t forget the varnish and the paint roller.
Do all these sound complex to you? Any unfamiliarity or hesitation should prompt you to look up a home improvement contractor to do the work for you. There’s a clear line between optimism and irresponsibility, and knowing when to quit spares you from the latter.
You’ve Failed Miserably Before
Do you have the budget to spare and a second home for backup? Perhaps this isn’t the first time you’ve tried a DIY home project, and the first one is an utter embarrassment. Unless you’ve practiced a lot since then and have the results to show for it, then it’s best to skip another DIY opportunity.
Not only are mistakes costly, but they’re also breeding ground for health concerns. Any fissure you create can lead to something worse, and you won’t want to risk your family because you weren’t cautious. There’s a chance, too, that your unfamiliarity with certain tools and techniques can lead to injuries, both to yourself and others.
You Stop Midway
A little introspection about your past projects will speak volumes of any future project’s chance of success. People who like to start projects but never finish them aren’t suitable to become DIY connoisseurs. Home renovation is an endeavor that will take a lot of time, effort, and dedication to finish.
Unlike small tasks like cleaning the pantry or mowing the lawn, unfinished home renovation has consequences. In addition to the effects on your health and safety, there’s also the fact that your house will look like an eyesore. It will also increase your stress levels because you’re reminded of an unfinished project every time you go home. That’s not to mention your unhappy spouse and children, who’ll also not enjoy having an exposed roof or a half-painted home exterior.
It’s Okay Not to DIY
At the end of the day, what’s important is that you achieve your dream house. DIY renovation isn’t for everyone, which is why there are professionals you can rely on for help. Accepting this will allow you to move on to other home improvements that don’t require a nail and hammer.
