ChrWright
March 2nd, 2011, 09:00 AM
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110227/MAN04/102270490/0/APC020511/Tips-avoiding-DIY-mistakes?odyssey=nav|head
Most of the handiest homeowners do a great job of maintaining, repairing and even remodeling their homes on their own — most of the time.
But it seems the handier you are, the more corners you're likely to cut because you think you don't need to be as careful, as precise or as in need of instructions as the typical homeowner.
Here are five big mistakes do-it-yourselfers make that could cost you in terms of time, money, frustration, safety and quality of the end product.
You didn't make a plan
Converting an unused room into the home theater you've always wanted might seem like a simple job — just hang a big TV and add speakers. But consider whether the room needs soundproofing. Or blackout shades on the windows. Or path lighting on the floor so people can come and go in the dark during a movie. Or more juice in the form of electrical wiring.
One of the main reasons so many do-it-yourselfers start more jobs than they finish is that they don't realize which materials, how much time, the amount of money or kind of expertise they really need to finish a job — before they start it.
MORE... (http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110227/MAN04/102270490/0/APC020511/Tips-avoiding-DIY-mistakes?odyssey=nav|head)
Most of the handiest homeowners do a great job of maintaining, repairing and even remodeling their homes on their own — most of the time.
But it seems the handier you are, the more corners you're likely to cut because you think you don't need to be as careful, as precise or as in need of instructions as the typical homeowner.
Here are five big mistakes do-it-yourselfers make that could cost you in terms of time, money, frustration, safety and quality of the end product.
You didn't make a plan
Converting an unused room into the home theater you've always wanted might seem like a simple job — just hang a big TV and add speakers. But consider whether the room needs soundproofing. Or blackout shades on the windows. Or path lighting on the floor so people can come and go in the dark during a movie. Or more juice in the form of electrical wiring.
One of the main reasons so many do-it-yourselfers start more jobs than they finish is that they don't realize which materials, how much time, the amount of money or kind of expertise they really need to finish a job — before they start it.
MORE... (http://www.htrnews.com/article/20110227/MAN04/102270490/0/APC020511/Tips-avoiding-DIY-mistakes?odyssey=nav|head)