4 DIY Tips to Help Your Project go Smoothly
DIY – or doing it yourself – can be a great way to save money on home improvements, restorations and transformations. Just because you’re saving money, doesn’t mean you should skimp on quality though. Here are four DIY tips to help ensure that your next project goes smoothly:
1. Use the Right Tape
It’s very important that the tape you use is the correct type of tape for the materials involved. Using incorrect tape will result in substandard results that scream that you tried to save money and it backfired. If this is your first time using tape for a DIY project, then you might want to consult this helpful e-book below to become more familiar with different types of tape, such as seaming tape, flashing tape and the very special 3m vhb from Viking Tapes.
As a general rule it’s important to understand that most tasks will have a different and specific tape that will give you the best results. For example, flooring tape is extremely different to roofing or wall tape. You also need to take into consideration what kind of conditions the tape will be exposed to, from high temperatures, a lot of moisture or even UV exposure. When you have a full idea of where the tape will be used and what conditions it will need to handle, you’ll be able to get the right tape for the job.
2. Be Realistic
It’s important to be realistic about how long your DIY project will take, how much free time you really have to dedicate to it and of course how much it’s really going to cost you. If it’s your first type doing a project of this nature, it can be hard to estimate how long it’s really going to take to do something. I suggest a smart, loose formula is to multiply the time, cost and work you think it’s going to be by at least 1.5x. That way you’ll have extra money in your budget to tackle any unforeseen expenses – and trust me they always come – as well as a realistic amount of time you think it’s going to take!
3. Ask for Help
There’s no harm in asking for help, whether it’s the help and support of friends and family to help move the project along a little faster. It’s also very important, before you start a DIY project, to be prepared to call in an expert when necessary. I personally wont attempt to do any plumbing or electrical tasks myself as I know they’re much better suited to an expert. Any money I try to save on these tasks I’m sure will come back as bigger bills to pay for the things I break! Knowing when to ask for help is a very important part of every DIY project.
DIY project’s can be a ton of fun, but especially when you are realistic about what you are getting yourself into. Spending a little time to learn what materials will serve you best, such as what type of tape will best suit your needs, will end up saving you time and money in the long run. Not being afraid to ask for help when you really need it is an important way to ensure your project moves forward in a timely matter. All the best with your next DIY project!