DIY PROJECTS: ARE YOU SAVING OR JUST KIDDING?
This article is Part 1 of 6 of
How to DIY: Your Total Guide for DIY Directions that Really Work
Have you ever tried your hands on a Do-It-Yourself or DIY project before? If yes, chances are you have some memorable stories that other DIYers can identify with. If not, and you are thinking of doing one soon, then, there are many things that you must know before getting started. Saving on money is one of the most compelling reasons many people resort to DIY, and this guide aims to help make your DIY experience a rewarding one, both in enjoying neat savings and in grasping good DIY lessons straight from the “voices” of experience.
I am a DIYer, not a professional one though (like those home makeover pros or a suave events organizer). I am all for the idea of doing some things yourself rather than buying stuff or spending to enjoy them. Aside from a personal touch, customized result and the opportunity to practice skills and creativity, I enjoy nice savings that I can add to my monthly bank account, or spend for some stuff like a Friday night movie and dinner. However, not all DIY projects are success stories. Many serious DIY projects can be tricky and risky, but this fact should not stop you from turning your back on some neat savings from projects you did yourself. For every failed DIY attempt, there’s an important lesson to be learned.
Trying to fix delicate gadgets may incur more expenses than savings if you insist on a DIY repair
Carlos Dela Cruz, a 38-year-old father of four kids from Houston, TX had to resort to a do-it-yourself repair for his malfunctioning iPhone 3GS. His reasons were obvious. “I can’t afford to upgrade to 4 or 4S just yet, with four kids, rent, insurance bills, the stuff. Maybe in a few months, so I figure I can just stick to my current model which I’ve been using for a couple of years, until something in my phone felt stuck and I can’t get the touchscreen thing to work,” he shared.
Carlos saw some iPhone DIY repair videos on YouTube and felt he can do it himself. The result was disastrous. “I’ve never done a smartphone repair before, but it looked easy in the videos. But when I opened up my iPhone, there was a flimsy glass held by very tiny screws, and thin plastic bands. I’d untangled the hardened adhesive glue and that started it, parts started falling off yet I can’t yanked it out completely, or get them back the way they were. I was just totally lost and I can’t follow the video instruction anymore.”
To cut this DIY horror story short, Carlos ended up shelling out $180 to exchange the broken iPhone for a refurbished one of the same model. “I’m a frugal guy, but my supposed DIY saving backfired on me in this case. What I did was something I would not recommend others to do. Leave your iPhones and techie stuff to the hands of professionals.” Well said.
PREPARATION IS KEY
Carlos’s story showed us what sort of Do-It-Yourself projects can be risky. Cellular phones, tablets, DSLR cameras and other gadgets have delicate fixtures, and unless you are a trained professional, it’s not good to experiment on DIY repairs on them.
So how do we know what DIY projects suit our skills, and more importantly, how do we make sure we end up with the best DIY projects that we can handle?
Planning and preparation go together in a DIY project
From what has been shared to us, it is evident that preparation is key, and we mean not just having your materials and budget ready. Study your planned project and check if you’ve got the matching skills, creativity and resourcefulness to do them. Like our frugal friend Carlos, it may all seem easy, like what he thought while watching some DIY YouTube videos. In reality though, like in any DIY home-related projects, the skills required for painting is not the same as some stonework flooring work, while doing simple carpentry is not the same as woodwork and joinery.
Renovators Michelle and Clint of ourdiydream.com, a site they put up to keep interstate family and friends up to date with their house renovation projects, emphasized the importance of planning. “It’s mostly to do with planning. Many DIYers tend to be so excited by their project that they rush in and don’t take the time to plan,” Michelle said. Planning applies whatever size of the DIY project you are tackling.
Do you know the two keys to a successful DIY project?
Read DIY Guide Part 2: How to Plan and Prepare for your DIY Project
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