DIY, is provided you know what you are doing, but there are things like building regulations, many DIY haven't a clue what they are? Instead of putting value onto property, it can have the opposite effect.
I am a plumber/heating eng, been in the trade over 40 years, most properties that I work in and a diy has been trying his hand, un regulated. There is only one thing you can do is rip it out and start again?
I am not talking about a few cupboards or doors, it on the water/heating side, where mistakes are dangerous,dont get to ambitious?
Reader's Digest DIY manual with YouTube and forum surfing (diynot, for example) for specifics has done me fine.
That said, I'm lucky to be naturally "practical" and have no problem with plumbing, electrics, woodwork etc - working within the regulations, of course. I've even plastered a ceiling, but that didn't turn out quite as well as I'd hoped and needed copious sanding and texture paint to disguise the imperfections.
I've done an en-suite - complete strip-down and rebuild with shower pump replacing the old gravity feed; numerous shelves, painting, papering, light replacements, loft lights, electrical tidy-ups (exposed live "chocolate blocks" left by prior resident). I've knocked a separate toilet and bathroom together, repositioning and replumbing all the fittings.
Almost every job has at least one "learning point" - something you'd do better next time. Examples: watching for wallpaper shrinkage as it dries; not using porcelain floor tiles when toilet fixing holes are needed.
Getting a man in takes advantage of their experience and equipment - and sometimes, legal issues. We had a man come in to replace the boiler as that's not something you can legally DIY; and I have a woman do our front Leylandii hedge once a year. This latter example is a big test of my "new man" status - I'm at work typing while a woman with significantly better upper-body muscle tone than me is cutting my hedge, because I can't do it with the "consumer" hedge trimmer and weedy arms I have...
Start simple, make sure you have decent basic tools for the job. Expect it to take *much* longer than planned. Be aware of the obvious pitfalls (drilling into wires/pipes etc). Don't be too proud to ask advice / help from your neighbour.
Hi , thank you all for your replies sorry haven't replied to them just got back from a brilliant stay at a nearby Park resorts site , unfortunately the wifi wasn't playing ball tho , I hope to write a trip report on a bit of an eventful week with its ups and downs but mainly ups
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: DIY
