There’s that famous old saying, slow and steady wins the race, and according to most people, those are words to live by. Admittedly, in many instances, they are words to live by, but when it comes to DIY, perhaps not so much. You see, one reason a lot of people prefer to pay a contractor to Complete home improvements for them, rather than doing it themselves is because it speeds the process up, or at least, that’s the illusion. But the question is, does DIY have to be a slow process or are there ways that you can speed things up?
Believe it or not, there are simple ways that you can make your DIY projects a speedier affair, without rushing the work, of course. That way, you get the best of both worlds, you get to do the work yourself and save money on it - the number one reason that people opt to go down the DIY route - and you also get to complete the work as quickly as possible. What could be a better option than that?
So, when it comes to DIY fixes, what are the best ways to speed up the process and make things easier for yourself, without compromising on quality? For all the best tips and ideas, read on and prepare to be wowed.
Plan out each project step by step
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One of the very worst things that you can do when it comes to home improvement is start working on a project without a plan. Without a plan in place of what needs to be done and when, the chances are that the project is going to take longer to complete than it needs to, which isn’t helpful. After all, the last thing you want is a project taking longer to complete than it should do, as this just means you have wasted your time. So with that in mind, for every project that you start, it’s crucial to put a plan in place, as that way you can ensure that you’ve got all of the details figured out.
The first step to planning any project is getting the inspiration that you need. Whatever it is that you plan on doing, whether it’s a bathroom upgrade or a kitchen revamp, getting inspiration is crucial for success. This is because if you don’t know what you want the finished space to look like, it’s impossible to plan properly for the update. When it comes to getting inspired, the best places to get inspiration are decor blogs and websites, as well as photo sharing sites like Pinterest and Instagram.
To ensure that your project goes to plan and can be completed as swiftly as possible, it’s important to put together a plan for it that includes all of the most crucial information. From what it is that you actually plan on doing to the tools and materials that you need to complete the work. It’s important to put a plan in place so that you know what needs to be done and when this will help to ensure that your project is completed quickly and within the time frame that you have set for it.
Ensure that you have all the right tools in place
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Above, it was briefly mentioned how important it is to ensure that you have all of the right tools and materials in place before you start your project. This isn’t something that you want to make the mistake of not doing, as doing so can slow down the entire project. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of building a built-in wardrobe, only to find that you don’t have the tools and materials that you need for it.
If you don’t already have a toolbox and tools, now is the time to invest in them. Admittedly, a toolbox and tools may not come cheap, or as cheap as you would like, but think of it as an investment. Once you have a toolbox and tools, they will last you for life, as long as you look after them, that is. As well as general tools, like a hammer, screwdriver set, multi-tool, and wrench, you may also want to pick up some more specific tools, such as plumbing tools, for instance. This makes tackling more specific tasks like installing a new sink, a little easier.
Don’t forget that of all the tools that you have; your smartphone could just be one of the best ones. Thanks to DIY apps, you can now use your smartphone for all manner of tasks, from measuring the length of a wall or determining if a shelf is straight - yes, smartphones now have a spirit level app - there’s nothing smartphones can’t do.
As for the materials for your project, write a list of everything that you need and order them online or collect them from your local DIY store. If you’re not sure what you will need to complete your project, take the time to work it out with the help of the internet. Or, if the internet proves no help, perhaps you could ask a team member from your local DIY store for advice about the materials that you will need for your project?
We’ve discussed general tools and materials, but what about items that will help to speed things up? You see, there are various tools and even materials that can help to speed up DIY projects, it’s just a case of utilizing them, that’s all. So with that in mind, it’s a good idea to think about what your project will consist of, such as painting, for instance, and then look for tools or materials that could help to speed things up. One of which could be opting to use a Titan paint sprayer, for instance, to speed up how quickly you can apply paint to the surfaces that require it. Another option could be to use a paint that can be painted straight on, without the need for emulsion or sanding. Or, if sanding is required, perhaps the use of an electric sander could be the answer to speeding things up?
Know when to call in a little help
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Although it’s all well and good wanting to go DIY with your home projects, sometimes it can be beneficial to get a little help. This is because if you don’t, it can be dangerous, or there’s a risk that the task won’t be completed properly. The fact is, there’s no point trying to complete a task that you don’t have the skills for, else it may end up impacting the rest of the project in a negative way, so it’s much better to call in a contractor to help you with anything that’s too difficult. Else, it could slow down the entire project, which isn’t what you want to happen, or worse, it could end up damaging your home. Say you are redoing your bathroom, for instance, if you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to the plumbing side of things, this could lead to all sorts of problems, including water leaking from the pipes or impacting the electronics.
Obviously, if you are going to call in a contractor, it’s important to select a qualified and experienced one, to make sure that the work is completed as quickly as possible and is done to a high standard. The last thing you want is to be the target of a shoddy contractor who leaves your home in a mess and you with thousands worth of damage that needs to be put right. That’s why it’s so important to be choosy about the contractor that you opt to use, should you need a little extra help with your home improvement project. When selecting a contractor, always make sure to ask for references, to ensure that they are as reliable and well trained as they say they are.
They say that slow and steady wins the race, but that’s not always the case when it comes to home improvement. Sure, it’s important not to rush a project, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find little ways to speed things up a bit. There’s a common misconception that home improvement has to be slow, but that isn’t necessarily true, it completely depends on how you approach the project. Prepare in advance for your next project, and you can speed up how long it will take to complete. You see, the better prepared you are for a project, whether it’s building decking for the garden or replacing the flooring in the living room, the easier and quicker the project will be to complete. When it comes to DIY, planning is the key to success. Take note of the planning tips and advice above, and you can ensure that your next project not only goes perfectly to plan but is also completed in a speed and efficient manner. Meaning that you don’t waste any time, and are able to get things done as quickly as possible.
