Home renovation shows on cable television and YouTube tutorial videos make remodeling projects look deceptively easy. If you can pick up a hammer or power screwdriver, you can do it yourself and get professional-looking results!
However, such is far from the truth. According to a survey conducted by home services website Angi, nearly 80% of homeowners make a mistake while attempting to tackle a project themselves, which can result in property damage or serious injury at the worst – and at the least, a botched project that costs far more to correct than it would have had a licensed professional done the job.
Because we’d rather not have you find out the hard way, we at The Paint Manager provide the 11 most common reasons that DIY projects go wrong!
1. You Took on More than You Can Handle
Having confidence in yourself is a positive trait, but not when you attempt a DIY project that you lack the experience, skills, time or resources to handle. “If you’re a beginner, attempting an overly complex or specialized-skill-dependent project is a recipe for disaster,” writes home design expert Sharon Miki Chan in her article for HGTV. Instead, start with an easy project. If it turns out well, you’ll have a basis by which to determine your ability to successfully take on and complete jobs of increasing complexity. If not, you’ll learn your limitations without having lost too much, and know to hire a pro!
2. Poor Planning
Even a relatively easy project – such as painting an accent wall – requires planning before the work begins. “Take the time to figure out how long it should take to complete, what materials are required and what techniques you’ll need to know,” Chan writes.
Also, the bigger the project, the more care you need in planning! According to Forbes Home contributor Kristi Waterworth, “If you’re hanging cabinets, be mindful of where and how the doors swing, ensure that tiles aren’t too tall for the bathroom door to shut, and, whatever you do, make sure that dishwashers and stoves don’t have to fight for room to open. Planning is the difference between a final project that really works and one that is a source of constant pain.”
3. Poor Time Management
Another contributor to DIY fails is failing to realistically estimate the amount of time the project will require. This often leads to rushing through the project, which greatly increases the chances for mistakes.
When planning a project, consider how much time you have available. You may plan to do it on a weekend, over more than one weekend, after work, etc. But if you work full-time, will you be too tired to work on your project when you’d otherwise be relaxing or tending to other household chores? Do you have children who’ll need your attention while you’re replacing the bathroom floor tile? The time you assume you’ll have might not exist – leading to a project that drags on far longer than intended, or – as previously mentioned – gets slapped together in haste. The old adage “Haste makes waste” was never so true as in a home DIY project!
4. You Didn’t Use the Right Tools/Products
No matter how small the project, you need the right tools and products to achieve the desired result. Trying to make do with what you have available is a guaranteed route to failure – as is heading off to the hardware or big-box store to buy whatever paint brush, roller, etc., that appears to be good enough.
As interior design expert Jessica Bennett notes in her article for Better Homes & Gardens, “Many tools are designed for specific uses and materials, and employing them for other tasks could result in injury, longer working time, or poor quality results … This is especially important if your project calls for specialty tools, such as a certain type of power saw.”
Be sure you understand the specifications of the tools needed for the project, and make the investment. If the tool you need is too expensive to buy, you may be able to rent it at a home improvement center.
5. You Used the Wrong Materials
This mistake goes back to not adequately researching the requirements of the project. For those involving woodworking, buying the wrong grade of lumber for the job – or using cement tile for a kitchen backsplash – are common examples. FYI: Cement tile is a bad choice for this purpose because it’s very porous, which means it will absorb food particles, splatters and stains – making it impossible to clean. If you didn’t know before, you do now!
6. You Didn’t Understand the Materials You Were Working With
“It might seem like a board is a board and a nail is a nail, but the truth is that home tech is constantly evolving,” writes Waterworth. “If you don’t have any experience with building a deck out of composite material, for example, you need to get online and watch some videos and read up on it before you do, since the approach is different from using wood. The same goes for any materials you’re unfamiliar with, really.”
7. Getting Measurements Wrong
Another old adage, “Measure twice, cut once,” also applies to DIY projects! “Even a small discrepancy in measurements can throw off the entire project, but this common DIY mistake is easily avoidable,” Bennett writes. “Taking the time to measure, mark, then measure again can help ensure you have the right fit the first time. Keep in mind that the actual dimensions of your purchased materials might be slightly off, so it’s best to measure everything yourself to ensure accuracy.” To keep your measurements consistent, Bennett recommends using only one tape measure or ruler throughout the entire project. Be sure to keep the tool straight and at a right angle to the surface you’re measuring, and always double-check your measurements before continuing.
8. Skipping Steps
This is a rookie mistake that can get your project in serious trouble, if not result in an outright fail! While you may not think that a particular step is important to the outcome, that step was listed in the instructions for a good reason. Or you may not have researched the project well enough to know what steps need to be taken, and the order in which they need to be done. Thoroughly read all instructions ahead of time, and be sure you have the necessary skills and supplies to complete each step before you begin.
9. You Didn’t Do the Prep Work
Very closely related to Number 8, skipping necessary preparation work will produce a poor outcome. For example, Bennett notes that skipping straight to painting without sanding or priming the surface first can result in an uneven finish that peels or chips over time. And as Waterworth observes, “It will take extra time to do prep work properly, but by carefully smoothing, sanding, sweeping, priming, and the like, you’ll find that your final project comes together quickly and looks very professional.”
Our blog post – “Common Interior Painting Mistakes to Avoid” – covers this topic in greater detail.
10. The Job Required More than One Person
Going back to overconfidence, some projects need teamwork to make your dream work! Be realistic about how much people-power is required for the project – especially for those that involve heavy lifting or two sets of hands. Even Mr. Universe wouldn’t be able to install kitchen cabinets by himself
11. Ignoring Safety
DIY mistakes can be not only costly, but dangerous as well. According to the Angi survey, of the participants who experienced a “major” mistake during their DIY projects, 47% noted that the incident involved serious injury, while 44% mentioned starting a fire or falling off a roof or ladder. Safety is paramount when performing any DIY project, and taking all the recommended precautions can help you avoid accidents.
Take your time, and follow all safety guidelines when using tools or other equipment. Wear all necessary protective gear for the task at hand – which could include dust masks, safety glasses, hearing protection, long-sleeved clothing, or gloves. Whatever amount of money you’d save on such protective clothing isn’t worth the risk of injury that could send you to the ER, and result in medical bills and lost wages – as well as after-effects that may affect your health and well-being for the rest of your life!
Should You DIY or Call a Professional?
Of course, this is a question only you can answer. But if you’ve decided that doing it yourself is more demanding than you thought, leave it to our pros at The Paint Manager! We have the experience, skill, equipment and supplies to make sure the job is done correctly and safely!
The Paint Manager has been proudly serving Central Florida homeowners for over 20 years with experienced, dedicated and professional services that include exterior and interior house painting, roof repair and cleaning, drywall repair, popcorn ceiling texture removal, cabinet refinishing and so much more!
Plus, become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer. We look forward to meeting you!