Like with every task you set for yourself, the key to completing a successful Do-It-Yourself job is good planning. With proper planning and preparation, you can save yourself valuable time and resources since you have a vision of what you want to achieve, you have identified possible risks or problems and set about making the right decisions.
Here are four practical tips for home DIY project planning and preparation.
Gather Information
Before taking on any type of project, you should take your time to gather as much information as possible about what it entails. Read, research and watch tutorials to be better prepared. Look around you and see if some people have carried out the same project as you before, and get some tips straight from those who are already enjoying in their finished work.
The research you carry out should not necessarily be technical and filled with banks of data. Only get what is sensible and useful for you situation and leave out details that may not be applicable to your situation.
For example, if you are planning on doing a bathtub DIY installation, you may leave out detailed technical information such as types drill drives, nail sizes and brand of power tools to use.
Have Extra Material
One critical piece of advice you should take is to always keep an extra piece of major material around. For instance, you may require about eight plywood pieces based on your measurements to cover double walling in your bedroom. Instead, get nine pieces of wood to ensure that you have something extra to work with in case you find your supply short. On sites like cutmyplastic.co.uk you can get high-quality wooden sheets at affordable prices for your DIY projects.
Doing this will also help you save money, gas, time and effort required to purchase the same item again, just for a single extra piece. Also, getting an extra piece saves you from having to deal with the stress and virtually guarantees you an interrupted DIY workflow.
Divide Your Project into Stages
Dividing your DIY work into stages gives you a clearer idea of what should be done first, and how much time you have to do it. Dividing your project into stages is also in conformity with good budgeting practice. If working on a tight budget, the stages will help you prioritize the materials or items you need first.
Segmenting your DIY project based on time allocation helps reinforce focus and discipline. Make your work plan with timelines, so you have something to follow. This will aid you to complete the project in ideal time. It is up to you to create segments of your project based on your needs and requirements.
Create Lists
Lists are not only good for Santa they are also critical planning tools for every DIYer out there. Become a list freak if you have to and you will soon reap the benefits. Create a list of virtually every material you need from a seed vegetables list to a price list – of course, depending on the type of project you are carrying out.
Most importantly, have a list of all cautions and useful reminders you may have gathered from your research. Such lists will ensure that you never forget something important.
Conclusion
As you plan and prepare for your project, it is also important to find out whether you have the capacity to handle it. Do you have enough information to proceed? Can you get someone to help you while assuring his or her safety and health? If you answered ‘Yes’ to these questions, proceed with your masterpiece DIY project.
Good tips. I like planning ahead my DIY home projects
Great home DIY planning ideas.