DIY projects typically provide us with an opportunity to save some cash in this economy, so many people are warming up to the idea of becoming makers and do-it-yourself-ers. However, not all of us up to the task always. We need to be mindful about the projects we undertake and the time and costs required to complete them. Here are a few golden DIY rules to live by:
1. Floods and Shocks are bad!
As beginners and intermediate level makers, some tasks should be avoided at all costs. This is because costs are all that you will be left with if you attempt them with the limited knowledge you have about the project at hand. Hiring an expert later on will be of no use as the damage might be beyond repair. Also, not many experts will want to take on repair jobs that are tough to fix. So Rule # 1 is to stay away from anything electrical or plumbing related. Both require a specific skillset, prior study and expertise that amateur fix-it guys and gals just don’t possess.
2. Take Your Time
Never rush a DIY project. It is a natural thing to want to finish a task quickly or to finish earlier than scheduled. However, if it takes longer to complete a project you shouldn’t grow weary or frustrated while working on it. This kind of unnecessary pressure can lead to a lot more mistakes and repair work later on. By not rushing the task at hand, there is a better chance of the task being error free. Plus, the quality will also be much higher. This is why we have square footage calculators on our site to take some of the pressure off your shoulders. Whether it is the area of a square, area of a circle, area of a triangle or area of a trapezoid, we have you covered. You can utilize our border area calculators as well.
3. #GoGreen wherever you can
The cost of construction includes what it will cost you to occupy the finished space, so take efficiency into account. If you save money on water and electricity utility bills, you can afford to install things like double-pane glass windows etc. Such an investment early-on during construction can pay off over the long run.
Energy Efficiency, of course, goes beyond construction and building plans. If you’re redoing your kitchen, consider replacing your appliances with Energy Star and WaterSense models. In Georgia, for example, if you replace your old fridge and freezer from the early 90’s with an Energy Star model, you can save more than $100 per year in energy costs [source: Energy Star]. Choose to install simple eco-friendly devices like water-efficient fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. This can help you reduce your utility bills and make that construction project work for you.
4. Safety above all else
This is the golden rule of all golden rules. A simple thing as not wearing a breathing mask can lead to grave consequences. As a novice, the mistakes you make have the potential to be very dangerous. Safety measures are what separate a novice from a professional. Wearing goggles, a hard hat, and protective clothing, following instructions as mentioned on tools and keeping your focus even if the task appears insignificant, could save your life and keep your limbs intact!
5. Build During off season
We all know that winter is a slow time for the construction industry in the north and mid-summer in South Asian countries. Like many industries, the construction business has busy and slow times each year. You can save between 4 and 5 percent by starting your project when contractors tend to be slow — right after Christmas [source: Glave]. Better service from your contractors is another bonus during the off season. Since contractors are less busy, they have more time to meet with you, answer your questions, and go through those budgets line by line to see where you can save some cash. Of course you could save the contractors some work by making your own calculations using our area calculators. Knowing how to calculate area can save you the hassle of asking them to come around to make measurements and figure out how much area of something needs to be covered.
Keep building and keep pushing the boundaries of your projects. There is no need to be afraid of undertaking larger projects. Just break them down into smaller do-able tasks and tackle them one-at-a-time. Happy building!
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