by Debra on Thursday, May 28, 2009
There is a lot of information available about home renovation projects. From popular television shows to in-depth how-to videos and training manuals, there are a lot of ways to learn how to take on a home improvement project. The question is then, is the information right?
Keep reading for suggestions on sources of different home improvement how-to resources as well as info on how to assess their reliability.
Sources of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Improvement Info:
1. Television and DVD
Television is great because it lets you see each step as the project unfolds. However to get the most out of a video how-to experience, your best bet is to actually purchase a specific DVD that relates directly to the project you’re taking on.
For example, if you’re planning to install laminate flooring, look for a DVD specifically on how to install laminate flooring, not some other type of flooring.
You can find many of these instructional DVD’s either online or right in your hardware store. Most are hosted by trusted experts or popular home improvement celebrities.
2. Books
How-To books are a great way to build a small home library with a lot of information right at your fingertips. The benefits of a few, well-chosen home improvement books are that they’re always accessible, often well-researched and you can take them with you from project-to-project.
3. Internet
The Internet has millions of pages about home improvement. The problem is finding the right information. Look for reliable sources like trusted web pages or active web communities that self-edit.
Look at a web site, including the resource it offers and how updated it is, and ask yourself if you would risk the cost of your home improvement project on its advice.
For specific questions, try forums or message boards where active users can often help you with a number of home improvement conundrums. Remember that unlike a book, you can’t always take the Internet with you, so print off or write down the information you need.
4. Your Local Hardware Store
You’d be amazed by how many questions can get answered at your local hardware store. Ask your store clerk or even fellow handyman and you’ll get all sorts of free advice for your home improvement need.
Finally, despite all the free advice available on DIY home improvement, that doesn’t mean you can get away with never consulting a professional. For major projects, especially those involving your gas, electricity, or costs sufficiently high requiring you to finance your home improvement project, always consult a qualified professional.
What Your Contractor Can’t Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating
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by Debra on Sunday, January 18, 2009
Holmes on Homes: Season 1
Do you have a Ranch Style Home that needs some renovation? I live in a ranch home and I’m always on the look out for ideas and tips… this article is just the tip of of the iceberg. Basic advice for a Ranch Home Renovation is where you just have to start.
Having a plan, a budget, knowing your facts and not taking on projects that we are not qualified for is the best advice for just starting your idea list.
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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 renovation 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 you’ll make fewer mistakes, be less likely to waste materials and time, and muchmore likely to stay on budget. In the end, you’ll be glad you did!
2. Budget
Along with planning, comes budgeting. As you plan the details of your project, keep a running tally of the home improvement costs 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.”
Installing Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops: with Tom Law
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