There’s a huge variety of jobs you can do around the home yourself, from something small such as shelving, to large projects such as an extension.
Whilst it can be very rewarding (as well as a lot cheaper!) to handle the project yourself instead of hiring a professional, once you start paying for tools and materials, the costs will soon add up.
So, we’ve compiled a list of our top money saving tips for DIY to help you with your next project!
Budget well
Depending on what the project is, it can be very easy to go over budget! Before you start, make a plan of exactly what you want to achieve and how you plan on achieving it. Use this plan to set yourself a budget and then make a point of sticking to it!
If the main reason you are planning on doing a DIY project rather than hiring a professional is for cost purposes, it defeats the object if you don’t have a budget.
Don’t cut corners
Often when trying to save as much money on a project as possible, it can be tempting to cut corners. Using inferior materials or tools will most likely create more work in the long run.
Likewise, doing a quick ‘bodge-job’ can put you at a much greater risk of making a mistake that will inevitably be costly to fix.
Hire or borrow tools
Whilst there are various tools that every household should have, there’s a whole heap of tools that you may only ever need once for a very specific job. As nice as it is to have a whole heap of lovely tools, it may be more cost-effective to hire tools, or even better, to borrow tools.
Check your local DIY store to see if they provide tool hire. If not, there may be other local community schemes you can turn to. Failing that, you could ask friends, family or neighbours if they have a specific tool you could borrow.
Enlist the help of YouTube tutorials
In recent years, YouTube has become an amazing source of free information and tutorials on pretty much every topic you can think of! That being said, anyone can create a video and put it on the site, so be sure to check a few things before blindly taking their word for it. Our top tips are:
- Check the comments section. See the top few comments to see if anyone has added any information about the video that could be relevant. For example, they may have accidentally said the wrong size tool that is needed for a project.
- Check their social media pages. If they are a “professional DIY-er” they may have an online following. If this is the case, you might be able to find extra tips and advice on their social media pages.
- Look at when the video was posted. YouTube has been around for a long time! So it could be the case that a video you are recommended is outdated and therefore the information you get might not be relevant anymore.
- Be cautious of buying information. Some YouTube channels (or their social pages) might give you some information about a project, but then ask you to purchase the rest. They will often say this is an “exclusive” or “short time deal” and while the information they give may be good and helpful, you may well be able to find this exact information elsewhere for free.
Some of the more popular DIY stores have their own YouTube channels with handy ‘how to videos’ such as Homebase or Wickes.
Shop around
This is one we likely all do already, but it is a tip we think is worth mentioning. This is especially true come the spring or summer when some DIY stores will be having sales.
Take the time to shop around for the best prices and check online for coupons. Some online stores will also have money off pop-ups when you go to leave the site.
Avoid waste
This may sound like a simple one but can be a difficult task to follow. Check, check and check again when it comes to measurements. Don’t be afraid to have someone double check your measurements and more importantly, your calculations. Having accurate information is paramount to purchasing the right amount of product needed for the task at hand.
Also, remember to store your materials correctly and clean up after yourself properly. The last thing you want is to have wood damaged from sitting in moisture or throwing away a paintbrush that hasn’t been cleaned properly after use.
Leftover paint
A new paint job is one of the quickest and easiest ways of giving your home or garden a makeover. However, paint can be a little on the expensive side.
Potentially one of the lesser known ways to get your hands on cheap or even free paint is by using the Community Repaint Scheme. They collect reusable leftover paint and redistribute it to individuals, families, communities and charities.
If there is not a collection point near you, you could instead try community giveaway sites such as Freecycle.
If you have a little bit of money in the budget after getting your hands on your free paint, you might want to use a conditioner to assist with the application process. Owatrol Floetrol is a water-based paint conditioner that helps improve the paint flow and workability of paint. In doing so, Floetrol helps to eliminate unsightly brush and roller marks enabling a more professional looking finish.
Get professional help where needed
We’re aware that this may sound like the opposite of what you want to see on a money saving tips DIY list! However, if you’re not confident about doing a certain job, you could end up saving money in the long run by getting the professionals in from the beginning, rather than potentially waste money attempting to do it yourself.
Sometimes it’s ok to admit that certain jobs (such as those for electric, gas, or even water) are likely better off being done by the professionals. Not only do you risk making a costly mistake but you could be putting yourself, friends and family in danger.
There are plenty of other DIY things that a layman can do though, so don’t be afraid to get stuck in!
We hope you found this post on money saving tips for DIY helpful. If you have any further tips or advice, please feel free to leave them below. We love hearing from you!
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About Owatrol Team
Our team are ready and willing to support you with your requirements whether it is protecting your newly laid deck or renovating a luxury yacht, whatever the application Owatrol has the solution you are looking for.
