by B. Leslie Baird

Created on: October 21, 2010

Yes, you can. These are three simple words for women to keep in mind when they want to begin home repair or renovation projects. But if you have never attempted any repairs where do you start? We all have to start somewhere; even the master craftsman started somewhere. There are several key areas for beginning to become a do-it-herself expert.

Learn:

The first thing to think about is what knowledge you already have. How good are your math skills? Yes, this does matter. How much experience have you had in watching or doing a project yourself? What type of home repair or renovation do you want to attempt? Once you have considered these points you will have an idea about what you need to do next.

Buy books. There are a vast number of excellent books available on all kinds of home repair and renovation projects. You can also search the Internet for instructions and videos. Videos are extremely useful as they enable you to watch the complete project before you begin. Even with Internet information being able to refer back to a book as you go makes it a good investment.

Take a class. Many home improvement stores have day classes available for specific projects. If you are uncomfortable some even have “ladies only” classes. You might even consider taking a class at your local college if you want to get into more detailed home repair or renovation work.

Safety:

Anyone in construction, home repair or renovation can tell you that working safely makes all the difference in a project's success or failure. Know and follow all safety recommendations for the project you are attempting. You do not need to take an OSHA construction safety course but you do need to learn safety. You also need to remember the simple rule, turn it off. Turn off the electrical, gas or water supply before you begin working on it.

Know your tools:

There are a countless number of tools that are used in home repair and renovation projects. You do not have to own every one of them but you do need to know what they are and how they are used. You should have your own good quality set of hand tools even if you do no more than change receptacle covers or hammer in a nail. Expensive tools or those you only would use on one occasion can be borrowed or rented. As a note, the little pink lady's tools may be very pretty and sometimes they can be of as good a quality as other tools. Just do not take them onto a construction site.

Building codes:

Yes, you do need to know something about your local

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>