DIY projects are always fun, especially for new homeowners. However, it’s very important to do research before committing to home improvement projects. Oftentimes, they are more complicated than they seem, and without the correct protection and equipment, you may find yourself in over your head.
1. Only Applying One Coat of Paint
There are certain high-end paints that only require one coat (quality paint is worth the extra cost), but most paint you get at Home Depot, or Lowes requires two or three coats, sometimes more, depending on the color.
Don’t Judge Paint By Its First Coat
Even if it looks fine right after you paint it, it will likely look different when it’s dry. And different lighting conditions will bring out different tones. The same paint color can look completely different depending on the lighting.
2. Biting Off More Than You Can Chew
Sometimes you think you can handle projects yourself, but it might actually be too much. Spend a little time on YouTube watching others complete a project you’re thinking about taking on. You may realize it requires tools or skills that are beyond your current capabilities.
Swallow Your Pride
Sometimes hiring a contractor can be a hard pill to swallow, but a necessary one. Especially if it requires fast completion like a kitchen, or bathroom. All those trips back and forth to the home improvement store, and ordering parts, or tools adds way more time than you realize.
3. Not Applying Primer Before Painting
Unless you’re planning to use an all-in-one paint and primer, you should always use a primer before tackling a painting project. And, even if using an all-in-one primer, you often will get better results with using a dedicated primer, then paint.
Don’t Skimp on Primer
The old paint will show through if you skip this important step. Plus, primer is cheaper than paint. Two coats of primer is cheaper than two coats of paint. You can also do a light sand between coats to help hide imperfections.
4. Underestimating How Much Your Projects Will Cost
Project budgets have a habit of increasing over time. Something goes wrong, different materials need to be purchased, or not enough materials were purchased. There is an old saying, “figure it will cost twice as much as you think, and you’ll usually be close to the final cost.”
Always Overestimate
It’s always best to overestimate how much money you’ll need for your projects, so you aren’t blindsided if the project necessitates more spending. Especially with remodeling, there is always something unexpected that is an issue once the project is underway.
5. Cheaping Out on Materials
While using scraps and what you already have can be a great money-saver, it can also jeopardize the quality of your project. The money you save may not be worth having to do a project twice.
Don’t Be Stingy
New materials should always be used for major repairs or renovations. Otherwise, things could break even more quickly, and you’ll have to pay even more to have it fixed.
This article was produced and syndicated by Nature of Home.
