Renovating your own home can be a really exciting project to get stuck into. Whether you’re literally doing it on your own, with a partner, or even dragging in friends and family to help you, there’s no denying that it’s a huge project to undertake.
SGI Management in Phoenix says not only can renovating your home be an affordable way to add value to your property, but it can also be incredibly rewarding and help you learn a few new skills along the way! With Youtube now, there is no limit to the amount of skills we can learn, from tiling to making our own furniture. But any DIY project or renovation comes with a certain element of risk – there’s a good reason most of us often call in a professional! So before you decide to undertake a big renovation project, we’ve got some tips to help you stay safe.
- Know your limits
Before you get started on your project, sit down and realistically think about what you know you’re capable of. If you’re only happy dealing with the interior design, the painting and decorating, rather than anything too structural such as pulling down walls or extending your home, then stick to that. If your partner or family member works in a trade, and is able to help, then you might feel more comfortable making big changes without calling in a professional. But all in all, don’t try to do anything outside of your comfort zone, or your mistakes could end up costing you thousands!
- Protect yourself
You might think doing up your own home is pretty low risk, but any DIY job – no matter how big or small – carries it’s own risks. Whether you’re working at heights, with chemicals, or with sharp tools, there’s a number of potential accidents waiting to happen. Which is why PPE is so important. Personal protective equipment can range from cut-proof gloves, to face masks and ventilators, hard hats, and steel toe cap boots. Which PPE you need depends on what jobs you’ll be carrying out, but whatever it is you’ll be doing, we’d highly recommend investing in at least some protective wear based on the hazards you’ll be faced with. Also pay special attention to any labels on paints/chemicals etc. as they’ll recommend any necessary safety wear.
- Don’t overdo it
When you’re planning your renovation, try and be realistic about your time goals. Especially if you’ll be carrying out jobs you’ve never done before – give yourself plenty of time. When you start trying to rush work, that’s when mistakes can happen, and when it comes to your house you can’t afford to make mistakes as they can often be costly. It’s also important to know when to call it a day! If you’re tired, then stop. There’s always tomorrow!
- Have a plan of action
Making a general plan of action is incredibly important when it comes to renovations. You’ll want to have a good idea of which rooms you’ll be tackling in your house first, and in which order. You’ll then need to break this down into separate jobs within each room. It’s a good idea to set realistic targets, about when you’d like to get tasks done by – but don’t stress if you can’t stick to them. When it comes to renovations, things don’t always go to plan and often unexpected jobs spring up and demand your attention – so be kind to yourself, and try to go with the flow.
- Take it one task at a time
Once you’ve sat down and written up your rough plan of action, it can be easy to feel completely overwhelmed. If you literally wrote down every single task that you need to do in your renovation, you would have an endless list! So try not to think too far ahead. Take your renovation one step at a time, do what you need to do that day or week, and reward yourself for the progress you’re making.
We hope our tips have helped you as you start to think about renovating your home. It’s such a great project to undertake and can be incredibly rewarding seeing the fruits of your own labour. Good luck, and stay safe when renovating!