DIY – Myths & Health

Considering a DIY Renovation project? Cowan Building takes a look at the DIY myths, and also how to keep you and your family safe during any project.

The internet is flooded with DIY nightmare projects, however, the desire to upskill and take on adventurous renovations at home has seen many take on the task of revamping their spaces without the correct knowledge or training.

But what can you do to ensure your DIY project doesn’t become a YouTube sensation for all the wrong reasons?

The key is to get the right advice. Some projects can be done yourself, while others will need an expert eye to ensure the pandora's box of horrors is not revealed. This will not only protect your health and that of your family but also your investment and prevent expensive damage to your home.

TOP RENOVATION & DIY MYTHS

It’s cheaper to move home than renovate?  

In many cases no, you can be quite surprised with a little creativity and the right advice renovating your existing space will be much more affordable than a new home.

The low bid is best? 

Many homeowners are tempted to go for the lowest bid, however, it’s important to do your homework and ensure that the lowest big doesn’t equal the lowest quality.

My life will be put into disarray during a renovation? 

This is not necessarily the case. Careful planning of your chosen renovation and also having a clear timeline from your builder can make the process streamlined and very manageable.

DIY is much cheaper? 

Sometimes, yes, however for major jobs it can end up costing substantially more to correct a project when it goes wrong.

Anyone can do a DIY? 

No, building professionals are just that, professionals at building. You will need some skill in this area, or solid advice, to undertake any DIY renovation project.

DIY is easy and stress-free? 

Undertaking any renovation in the home will cause some slight disruptions. Not having professional tradesmen on site can lead to delays and disasters. Professional tradespeople will offer timelines, and a clear picture of how the project will plan out, allowing you to adjust your living arrangement accordingly.

 With any home improvement, it’s important to take the health and safety of your family seriously. Even the family pet.

Chemicals, fumes, dust, and other nasties that could be lurking behind your walls, need to be taken into account. Getting the right advice from the get-go can help you keep safe and improve your home without any major risks.

Firstly, it’s a good idea to get a clear understanding and picture of what you want to do. There are many ways to help save money during renovation work that won’t compromise the result. Working alongside a professional, you can get a good scope of what you can do yourself, and what you simply can’t.

Lurking Behind Walls – Warning

Asbestos – used in many older homes. This will need to be removed by an expert.

Mould – could indicate a leaky-home and will need evaluation by a professional.

MDF – can cause respiratory problems if not removed correctly.

 Any major renovations should only be done by a trained professional. DIY doesn’t mean, do it all yourself. Getting the right advice and working alongside a builder can give you a very clear understanding of what you can do yourself, and what is best left to the professionals.

Keeping Safe during DIY

• Keep chemicals, paint, and other nasties stored safely when not in use.

• Ensure pets are locked away during heavy traffic times.

• Use the correct safety equipment – glasses and masks.

• Ensure the space has adequate ventilation.

• Remove rubbish correctly. Some contaminated waste will need to be disposed of correctly and not just thrown in the skip.

• Get the right advice from the get-go. Calling in the experts after a DIY fail can cost you a lot more than working alongside them from project beginning to end.

TOP TIPS – DIY

FLOORS: when updating your walls make sure you do this before your floors to prevent any paint from ending up on your new flooring.

PAINT: wrap your paintbrushes and rollers in plastic cling wrap between coats. Always ensure you wash your paintbrushes correctly at the end of a job and don’t clog up the waterways. Don’t forget your masking tape and take the time to edge the areas well. Many painters also advise not to paint your doors in bathrooms or bedrooms. Also, consider popping a paper plate under your paint tin to prevent unwanted trips.

ELECTRIC– Keep safe. No matter what DIY project you are undertaking it’s best to flick the power off. Always keep a torch handy just in case. Any electrical work should only be carried out by a licensed electrician, this is not only for safety but also for insurance purposes.

UPSKILL – whether it’s watching DIY advice from a well-known professional site or enlisting in some advice from an expert. Upskill before any DIY. From furniture to painting your walls, having the right information at hand on how to tackle the project is paramount for success. Also be honest with yourself, if it seems too difficult it normally will be.

RELATIONSHIPS – DIY can cause a strain on any relationship. A good plan is to respect each other talents and keep the lines of communication going. Also, have a realistic timeline. Adding more time rather than predicting less, can save many arguments during the DIY project. It’s also important to have fun and embrace the project. Resentment and frustrations can lead to a disaster not only for your DIY adventure but also for your relationship.