With an ever-expanding network of home improvement television shows and DIY magazines, the do-it-yourself home improvement sector has taken off. Homeowners everywhere are rushing to their local hardware stores, ready to rip out their bathroom tile or tear down old kitchen cupboards.
As excited as you may be to get started on your first DIY home improvement project, there are a few considerations you should first take into account. You need to plan, understand your project, budget, and be aware of your space. To learn more about these basic, but crucial, DIY home improvement tips, keep reading.
1. Plan, Plan, Plan
Before you even begin a DIY home improvement project, you should have a full plan in place. And prior to making that drive to the home hardware store, put together a folder with all your measurements and a complete list of everything you intend to buy, right down to the last nail.
People get excited about projects and don't want to get right to it instead of "wasting" time planning. However, By planning out the phases and details your project, you're less likely to overspend on unnecessary materials or find that you need to backtrack over already-completed work.
Planning prevents mishaps such as needing to stop work and call a plumber because you forgot to verify whether there were pipes running where you wanted to put in that door. Planning also decreases overspending, such as buying three cans of paint when you only needed two.
Meanwhile, researching your project will help to avert the more costly mistakes. By reading books, watching relevant DVD's or researching online information about the project you want to tackle, you're less likely to botch a job and more likely to complete it with a professional finish.
2. Budget
Along with planning, comes budgeting. As you plan the details of your project, keep a running tally of the expense for each material. If you don't know how much something costs, check the Internet or call your local retailer to obtain a price ahead of time.
Once you have your budget, add 10-20% extra. Almost every home renovation project, DIY or not, runs up against unexpected expenses - it's just a reality of life's uncertainties. Whether it is materials that cost more than you expect or a surprise problem that needs to get fixed, you'll need to have the money ready to take care of it. Every good DIY'er knows to have a little extra on hand.
3. Understand Your Project
Before you attempt to tackle a major home improvement project, make sure you know what you're doing. Use resources like books, your local hardware clerk, the Internet and how-to videos to get a good grasp on the project you will be undertaking.
If you feel like the project is out of your league, don't hesitate to call in a professional.
4. Know Your Space
This tip is related to planning, but make sure you have enough space to take on your project. Don't try to fit a new island in your kitchen if there isn't sufficient room for it. Try to live by the old carpenter's adage of "measure twice, cut once."
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- DIY Home Improvement For Beginners: The Basics of DIY
- Usual Trouble Spots in DIY Home Improvement
- Measuring the Success of a DIY Home Improvement Project
- How to Start a DIY Home Improvement Project: Tips
- Pros and Cons of DIY Home Improvement: An Assessment
- Easy DIY Home Improvement Ideas
- The Real Cost of DIY Home Improvement Projects
- Crucial Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Improvement Tips




The Right Coffee Table For You
By: Annie Deakin | 10/11/2009Coffee tables are nice additions to your family room or living room. We spend most of our time on the big items like the couch or the dining room set, but we also appreciate a nice center piece to our living rooms. When shopping we consider the price and how...
MY experience with GreenDIYEnergy - A REAL GreenDIYEnergy Review
By: R Hancock | 10/11/2009I had been searching the internet for a good DIY renewable energy guide when I came across GreenDIYenergy. So, being the smart shopper that I am, I decided to see what kind of GreenDIYenergy reviews were out there.
Solid Brass Deadbolts - Security and Style For the Home
By: Kohn Coleman | 10/11/2009A high quality deadbolt is an essential component of any home security system. Many homeowners rely solely on a deadbolt to protect their home so choosing a high quality and durable deadbolt is important.
6 Tips For Finding the Perfect Computer Desk
By: Annie Deakin | 10/11/2009When you are ready to go out and buy a new computer desk, you need to understand that there are hundreds of different models out there. So, to help you narrow down your search, there are a few tips that you can use to help ensure that you're getting the...
A Guide for Safely Thawing Out Frozen Water Pipes
By: Kyle Issac | 10/11/2009Winter is truly the most wonderful time of the year for plumbers. When the first freezing winter weather arrives, plumbers know that they are going to be busy with hundreds of plumbing service calls just to thaw out frozen water pipes. There's no need to worry about safety when thawing out frozen pipes yourself if you observe a few rules.
DIY Crown Molding Tips to Help You Quickly Spruce Up Your Home
By: Joel McDonald | 10/11/2009If you are trying to spruce up your home a bit, think about the ceiling. It may sound strange, but whenever people come into a home, they usually look towards your ceiling before they look at everything else. The problem is that many ceilings just look bare. There is nothing...
Plantation Shutters Have Been Around Since Ancient Times
By: Alison Roesch | 10/11/2009Plantation shutters have been around since Greek times, in a primitive way. They came about for practical purposes and today are used for many of the same reasons and for their decorative appearance.
Financing Home Improvement Projects: How to Get Them Done
By: Bill McCowen | 05/09/2008 | FinanceHomes need updating. Aside from the cosmetics of tiles and paint colors, there are the basic, but necessary renovations that need to be taken care of as well. Young home buyers frequently enter into a mortgage commitment scraping together all they have to offer a decent down payment and having calculated...
Affordable Home Improvement Tips
By: Bill McCowen | 11/08/2008 | Home ImprovementWe all want to make improvements and upgrades to our home, but it's not always financially possible. Major renovations cost major money, but that doesn't mean you can't start with minor repairs. A few small touch ups can go a long way to making a noticeable difference in your home. By...
Crucial Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Improvement Tips
By: Bill McCowen | 11/07/2008 | Home ImprovementWith an ever-expanding network of home improvement television shows and DIY magazines, the do-it-yourself home improvement sector has taken off. Homeowners everywhere are rushing to their local hardware stores, ready to rip out their bathroom tile or tear down old kitchen cupboards. As excited as you may be to get started...
Improve Your Home - Tips For Preparing a Home Improvement Project
By: Bill McCowen | 12/06/2008 | Home ImprovementMany of us want to improve our homes, but simply don't know how. Some know that there's not enough room for all the kids, yet haven't figured out how to make more room. Others yet see the need to reduce monthly electrical bills, but don't have any practical idea where to...
Poor Credit Home Improvement Loan
By: Bill McCowen | 26/01/2008 | FinanceA poor credit home improvement loan is a great way to finance the alterations and decoration you need in your home. Maybe when you bought your house you were newly married. The place was cozy. However now with two growing children your house has turned from cozy to rather too...
Vinyl Siding Installation: A Do-It-Yourself Project
By: Bill McCowen | 18/01/2008 | Home ImprovementThe old house just does not look the same. It was gorgeous in its prime. Once upon a time the paint was fresh. The trim was perfectly matched. Everything looked new. Now the paint is chipping. Some of the trim has fallen off. It is time to think about vinyl...
Home Improvement Grants: How To Obtain One
By: Bill McCowen | 11/01/2008 | Home ImprovementIf your home needs updating or has been damaged by a natural catastrophe and you can't afford the renovation costs, you may be eligible for a number of different home improvement grants. To learn about different grants as well as tips on how to obtain one, keep reading. Popular Grant Options Local...