Some people DIY for the fun of it, while others DIY for the savings. Whatever your motivations are, you should be aware of these common mistakes.
To avoid a costly disaster, watch out for these DIY faux pas:
1. Gaps between cabinetry
You can stand to save a good chunk of money by self-installing cabinets. However, there is a reason why most homeowners hire a professional to get this job done.
Many homes are not perfectly leveled so this could result in gaps around your cabinets.
Professional installers use wood shims to avoid this. The shims are then covered with molding that matches what is used in the rest of the room.
2.Off-centered light fixtures
Any DIY job involving electricity is risky. Because of this, homeowners are not willing to move a light fixture’s placement when changing the layout of the room.
This leads to fixtures that are off-centered above sinks, tables, and kitchen islands. This takes away from the design of the room and makes it seem as if it was not planned very well.
Save the headache and hire a professional electrician to move and replace the fixture.
3. Cracked floor tiles
If your subfloor is uneven or the underlayment is wrong, you can risk cracking your tile. A tile professional will be able to check the subfloor and secure it to the floor joists.
The most important part is to install the correct underlayment, so your tiles do not shift, and it will help provide cushion.
4. Taking shortcuts with paint
In theory, painting a room may seem like an easy task. However, you would be surprised at some of the difficulties that may arise. Also, painting is a tedious task. Many homeowners will begin the project and start to rush through it due to exasperation.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Repair any dents or cracks on the walls
- Remove outlet covers
- Use painters’ tape along the ceiling and molding
- Cover up any hardware and light fixtures
- Lay down a drop cloth on the floor
We also have a step-by-step blog on how to paint a room like a pro!