For most of those who don’t want to spend a penny on buying things or for those who are just crafty in nature, do-it-yourself projects are a no-brainer.
After all, just by merely looking at it on YouTube or on a blog, you feel it’s easier than it looks. However, there are some things you should ask yourself, perhaps even quiz your mind, just to be able to gauge where your knowledge on the matter sits.
Why is it important to ask? This is because it is daunting and frustrating to find out that you’ve swallowed more than you can chew – in lay man’s term, you’ll feel frustrated when you try a DIY that you can’t seem to finish for whatever reason.
That said, it is important to check within yourself first before you start any project – if you really can do it by yourself or you need to pass it on to a professional. Here are some factors to consider:
Your Skills
Every project would require a different set of skills. For example, if you’re going to make your own vanity table, it would help you a lot if you have at least the basic knowledge of carpentry.
The same goes if you’re dealing with clothes, knowing how to sew would really be handy at this point.
However, if you don’t have the necessary skills, this doesn’t mean that you should not try – after all, DIYs are always a great opportunity to learn new things along the way.
The process of learning new skills is an exciting part of a DIY
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So it pays to assess yourself if you have the right skills for the project, or how long will it take for you to learn how to do it. What’s more, it is important to ask if you’re ever going to use the skillset again.
Sameer Patel, a confessed lover of DIY, had to teach himself how to weld for a fire pit project for his family. He found that the whole process was enjoyable from sourcing the material to actually welding it.
Complexity of the Project
You can learn anything from the internet, as the abovementioned factor stated, but always keep in mind the complexity of the project.
Say you want to install your new backsplash – even if you don’t have an idea, you can easily read about it through accessible content and know what the necessary material and strategies are required of you.
That said, it’s generally an easy task, but if you want to overhaul the entirety of your kitchen from top to bottom, then you may want to rethink how you can possibly do that all by yourself and your skills.
Photo: Gauge if you need help with the project or if you can do it by yourself. https://www.google.com/search?biw=1745&bih=881&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=4jpiXOHIC8vIvgS0uI_Q0Bw&q=kitchen+backsplash++diy&oq=kitchen+backsplash++diy&gs_l=img.3..0l2j0i8i30l5j0i24.10872.12650..12888…0.0..0.132.1443.0j12……1….1..gws-wiz-img…….0i67j0i7i30j0i8i7i30.sXepNTptBCc#imgdii=489MzGm549IkaM:&imgrc=FISvUp0PunOdqM:
For one, you’ll be moving a lot of things like a cabinet, stove, refrigerator, and even plumbing lines, which means that that may be too much, but more so for a beginner.
Home Depot’s senior vice president of home services Kelly Barrett said that if it’s too much for you to handle, you can definitely use an overseer.
So basically you don’t need to throw the DIY idea in the trash bin immediately, you just need to hire a professional who can lend a hand.
Weigh the Risks
You should definitely think about the risks that come with your project. Craft activities can usually create lesser damage as compared to others – sure, you may accidentally splash paint on your tiles, or even prick your finger while sewing but all these are relatively manageable.
Some of the more complicated ones tend to be riskier, for example, you can burn your house down if something went wrong while moving gas.
Craft projects are less risky than more complicated projects
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In short, there are some projects like home improvement activities that will not just put your house in danger, but your life as well.
It’s the rule of thumb that if you feel that your safety will be compromised, better leave the chore to the professional. This is especially true if you have a family living with you because their lives will be placed on the line, too.
Put a Value on Your Time, Literally
It is important to also consider your time against the total cost of the project. To do this, try placing a value on your time and certified financial planner R.J. Weiss suggests this formula: savings divided by the hours needed for the completion of the work.
So if you now know how much your hourly rate is, you’ll then decide if you’re still willing to complete the project for that amount of earning.