3 of the Biggest DIY Blunders to Avoid

By December 11, 2013Blog, Uncategorized

DIY Home

Do You Need Permits?

Every homeowner wants to feel the pride that comes with completing do-it-yourself projects. But oftentimes when we’re on a mission, we unwittingly bite off more than we can chew. There are many DIY projects that can be tackled easily and successfully by most any homeowner without causing more harm than good, but here we’ll take a peek at a few common blunders that may require you to think twice before picking up that tool box and getting started.
Many homeowners jump right into a project before consulting city codes or condominium association rules. Oftentimes DIYers err on the side of just trying to finish a project quickly without anyone being the wiser, as permits are time-consuming. But permits are there to ensure that the time and money you invest into a project is put to good use. For example, San Diego electrical and plumbing permits are an integral part of planning any changes that might affect the integrity of these portions of the home. Oftentimes you need proof of a permit for an insurance carrier to cover it, or there may be specific height and material limits that you’ll need to adhere to in order to get the best price for your home should you choose to sell.


Buying Cheap Materials

It can be an intriguing idea to consider buying materials that are a few levels lower on quality than you originally budgeted. But trust that buying cheaper materials outright can actually cost you more in the long run. Cheap tile can break, cheap carpet can tear, cheap paint can peel, and cheap appliances can wear down or malfunction quickly. This doesn’t mean you have to buy the Cadillac of dishwashers in order to keep yourself out of the quality red zone; it simply means that sometimes a few extra dollars here can save you having to buy those materials all over again in short order. Think of it this way: you aren’t paying for labor, so you have a little extra room to get better materials.

Inaccurate Measuring

We’ve all heard the old adage, “measure twice; cut once.” It’s important not just for good measure, but because one wrong cut can cause a domino effect across an entire project. Fences, drywall, flooring, and other items in the home must be meticulously measured out, as beginning on the wrong foot can cause you to waste materials and run into issues once you hit the end of the project. Always err on the side of caution and measure everything diligently multiple times. A few minutes on the front end can save you from having to scrap yards and yards of material on the back end.
Taking heed of the potential to make these mistakes is the first step in preventing issues that can be caused by do-it-yourself projects. A little bit of planning can go a long way towards making sure your home project goes off without a hitch.

Read More: Top 10 Home Renovation Projects

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