For DIY home improvement enthusiasts, few things are more satisfying than getting the whole family in on the act. Aside from the savings on labor costs, there’s the camaraderie and bonding that you can’t put a price tag on. Before starting your next DIY family project, there are a few things that need to be taken care of first.
Sketch a Master Plan Beforehand
Whether you’re renovating a bathroom or constructing a shed dormer, good plans make for good outcomes. Carefully blueprint and storyboard your DIY project so that there aren’t any unpleasant surprises when the time comes to bust out the saws and hammers. Calculate material costs and estimate the time required to complete each step of the project.
Prepare Your Tools and Materials
Figure out what you’ll need insofar as power and hand tools are concerned before pounding in the first nail. If you need anything that’s not in your current tool arsenal like a combination square or a drywall mud pan, get it now. Acquire all the lumber, tile or pipe required and store it in a safe place.
Round Up the Necessary Safety Gear
Safety is always the name of the game where DIY projects are concerned. Things like leather work gloves, kneepads, and back braces are helpful. Arguably the most important safety tool for any DIY enthusiast is a good pair of safety glasses. For those that wear prescription glasses every day, prescription safety goggles, like those available at All About Eyes, can be tailored to securely fit individuals. Make sure that there are enough thick, wraparound safety glasses and goggles available to cover every family member while they’re working.
Assign Specific Duties to Each Person
If there are too many cooks in the kitchen, productivity slows and the likelihood of somebody getting hurt skyrockets. Assign each family member an age-appropriate role in the project like cutting studs, leveling surfaces or taking away debris. That way, there’s a clear division of labor whereby everyone does their part and doesn’t get in the way.
Draw Up a Few Contingency Plans
No matter how careful you are, something almost always goes wrong on a DIY home improvement project sooner or later. Hopefully, it’ll be something like a piece of wood or pipe that’s been cut too short. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit handy and have the local hospital on speed dial just in case.
Remembering the Pint-Gallon Rule
As the old saying goes, a pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood. In other words, taking the time to carefully prepare for any home improvement job will save a lot of time and money. More importantly, doing so will ensure that you secure a positive result without incurring injuries.