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| 9 Most
Likely Fixer Upper Mistakes |
The standard rule for
do-it-yourself projects is that they will
take twice as long and cost three times as
much as you expected. Or, maybe it will take
three times as long and cost twice as much.
Either way, the reason is the same. Do-it-yourselfers
often make mistakes and sometimes lots of mistakes.
The good news is that you can learn a lot from
mistakes.
The bad news is that mistakes always wind
up making your home improvement project more
expensive and more time consuming than you
wanted. Home improvement experts were asked
for their lists of the top do-it-yourself goofs,
with advice on
how to avoid repeating the errors in the
future. Below is the list they came up with.
1. Inadequate
Preparation of The Job Site
If you do a small addition, someone will probably be delivering materials. You
don't want the materials out of reach, or at the same time, exposed to weather
while
you
are
working.
Or
even worse, they could be stolen if they're not properly stored. Also, if you
have
a
septic tank, make sure you know where it is. If a supplier delivering materials
in a
heavy truck drives over it, it could crack your tank.
2. Skimping
on Materials
Many do-it-yourselfers use 1/4" drywall for building walls.
You should use at least 5/8" and 3/4" works even better for a good
sound barrier. The same rule applies to plywood for subfloors. Go with 3/4".
It creates a much stronger floor, especially if you're installing wood floors
over them.
3. Using the
Wrong Paint
One of the most popular do-it-yourself projects around,
painting, can really make a home look so much better.
Flat paint should be used only for ceilings though.
Interior
paints
should have at least an eggshell or satin finish so you can scrub it. On outdoor
decks, sun and rain can be really tough on wood. Clear
sealers don't block the UV rays, and they peel. Use a linseed oil-based stain.
It drives the pigment into the wood and preserves it.
4. Improper
Preparation of Walls for Painting
A good quality paint job is 90% preparation. Clean the
walls, sand them down, and patch any holes before you paint. A
coat of primer or stain blocker is recommended if you're trying to cover over
oil-based
paint
or if you're painting a lighter color over a darker color.
5. Unsafe Job Conditions
Nothing diminishes your return on investment like a trip to the emergency room.
Wear safety goggles when using power tools or working with drywall or wood, wear
hard hats when you're working under other people on scaffolding, and open some
windows when you're painting. Wear gloves when you're carrying wood,
metal, and rock, or when hammering.
6. Inaccuracy
Measure twice, cut once. This rule is so important for things
such as building walls, cutting baseboards, counter tops,
or pipe. If you're going to err, err on the side of too long. You can always
make
something shorter, but you can't make it longer. Spackle can cover up
to
an
eighth
of an inch seam; if it's a quarter of an inch, the seam will pop
the spackle and show.
7. Working Beyond Your Limits
Everybody has their limits. For some it might be plumbing
or electrical work. For others just picking up a hammer may be going too far.
Also, don't
stand
on
the
top
steps
of
ladders
and
don't
try
to
work beyond your reach.
8. Lacking
Experience
You don't want to start to learn how to do a project on your own house. If you
have a friend who is a contractor or an experienced remodeler, offer your assistance
on a project. No one will turn away free labor.
9. Failure to Get a Clue
If you need to remove a supporting wall, have an engineer look at it
to see what
kind of beam you need to replace it with. If you have a saw in your hand and
have a question about what you're doing, stop and study it out first or get advice
from a professional. |
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