I’m a DIY pro – the basic rules you need when tackling any job & how to nail painting a room every time
IT'S easier than ever to tackle jobs around the home yourself, with TikTok, YouTube and Instagram offering a plethora of easy-to-follow tutorials for even the most novice handy men and women.
But as good as they might be, we could be missing out on some vital steps when approaching DIY and there are a few things we should always remember.
"It’s incredibly satisfying to fix something up or make something from scratch, but doing it well isn’t easy” explains Dave Gordon, General Manager at .
“The trick with DIY is to start small, make sure you have the right tools – and know how to use them - and ask for help if you need it."
General tips to remember before starting any job:
START SMALL
DIY tricks
First things first, the experts say to start small. "Don’t be tempted to go too ambitious at first," he told Fabulous.
"Change a light bulb, tighten door hinges, put together some basic flat-pack furniture together, and as you move down your DIY to-do list, choose projects that are a bit more of a challenge but are still relatively low risk," they added.
For example, hanging a picture or painting a wall. If they don’t work out as you’d hoped, it’s fairly quick and easy to fix.
"For any more complex projects, make sure you do a project plan before you start. List each part of the job, what you need to practise and what you need to buy," he advised.
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USE THE RIGHT TOOLS
It's important to understand and get comfortable with the right tools to ensure you're using them correctly for each job.
"Practise hammering in nails, drilling in screws etc using a piece of scrap wood," the expert advised.
"It’ll help you feel less nervous when it comes to doing it for real on your wall."
But tools aside, the same can be said for other materials too, said Toni Trevellion, DIY expert and founder of the two million-strong Facebook group DIY on a budget.
"Always check you’re using the right materials for the specific job you’re doing," she said.
"It sounds obvious, but when I started out, I was forever choosing interior paint for outdoor jobs, or trying to glue down flooring with PVA adhesive."
What's in your toolbox?
If you're thinking about tackling your own jobs around the house, there are a few tools everyone needs that'll get you through any job.
- Work gloves
- A selection of screwdrivers
- A claw hammer
- A utility knife
- A handsaw
- A spirit level
- A pair of pliers
- A measuring tape
- A toolbox or bag
- A cordless drill
DON'T ASSUME YOU CAN DO IT ALL
For bigger jobs, have a backup plan and know your limits, and don't be scared to call in the experts when things get tough.
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting professional help when you need it, and it’s better to call in the experts before you knock down a wall or create a lot of mess that could be costly to fix," they said.
Alternatively, if you know someone who is good at DIY, ask them to supervise you (even if it's via a video call) as you tackle a new skill or an unfamiliar job.
" It’s reassuring to have someone experienced offering a bit of advice when you need it most," the experts said.
ALWAYS MEASURE
If you're building something from scratch or working with wood, thinking you can get away with rough estimates when it comes to measurements is a sure-fire way of getting something wrong.
"Make sure you take accurate measurements, double check them, then write them down somewhere you won’t lose them," Toni told Fabulous.
"There’s nothing worse than beginning a project and realising."
CLEAN YOUR SURFACES
Whether you're staining, painting, plastering or otherwise, not wiping down and cleaning your surfaces is your first big mistake.
"You could end up with a lumpy finish, or even bits of fluff stuck to your wall," said Toni, who's also authored a book called DIY On A Budget.
"I recommend using sugar soap and a microfibre cloth, but if you don’t have these, then warm, soapy water and a clean cloth will do."
Common DIY jobs around the home:
WOODWORK
"If you’re working with wood, you’ll need to sand your surfaces first, then clean them," Toni said.
In fact, upcycling experts from said this is one of the things people often forget to do when reworking old furniture.
"Many skip this step, but just as many will regret not sanding first when the new lick of paint starts chipping. You will need at least two sanding grit levels," they said.
"Start with coarser sandpaper to get any old paint or varnish off and smooth it out with a finer grit."
As well as cleaning the surfaces, Nathan Hyatt-Mitchell, builder at said preparing the room is key.
"Make sure the area is clean and dry prepare it by removing all furniture from the room," he said.
"It’s also important to read blueprints to get a description of the task which needs to be completed, and prep the framing for the wall as this will be the general construct for the building."
Toni's tips before you start painting:
- Lay dust sheets, old bed sheets or newspaper on the floor and tape them down. This stops them from moving about and makes them less of a trip hazard.
- Cover all switches and sockets with masking tape or painter’s tape to avoid painting over them.
- If you aren’t planning on painting your skirting boards, cover the top edges with masking or painter’s tape too.
- If you have old clothes that you don’t mind getting ruined, pop those on. If not, you can buy disposable coveralls. Goggles can be useful if you’re painting ceilings to prevent any paint splashes from getting in your eyes!
Source: DIY ON A Budget by Toni Trevellion, £14.99
PAINTING
Painting seems like an easy enough job, but there are definitely some things to remember before having go.
"It’s important to fill all holes and cracks when you’re painting walls. This will give you a smooth and even finish," Nathan said.
"Your walls will need sanding and you definitely need to clean them too - it’s easy to forget that part!"
Next, the upcycling experts said you should never skip a primer.
"Primers make the paint stick better," he told Fabulous.
Skipping it means the paint may peel or rub off later on when you clean or dent the surface.
Toni said not allowing a coat of paint to dry before going in with another is a big mistake.
"Doing this could result in having to remove both coats and starting again from scratch," she said.
" So do ensure you leave enough time for each layer to dry. It will save you time – and effort – in the long run."
FLATPACKS
Flatpack assembly can be fun but it’s certainly a challenge.
"Staying organised while you complete the task will help prevent many a hair-pulling moment, " said builder Nathan
"My top tip is to first unpack all items in the box and lay out all the pieces in order. This way you can see the entire task ahead of you.";
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And read the instruction before you start the job, he said.
"It’s important to read them as something may look easy to fit but once you start, you might notice that the piece you’re attaching doesn't actually fit."
