Difficult DIY jobs are often best left to a prefessional. Especially if you are in the early days of your DIY experience, or just need the job done quickly. But some tasks, such as painting, installing plumbing for a washing machine or fixing a dripping tap can be attempted by the novice DIY enthusiast.

Use The Right Tools

Probably the ultimate piece of advice any experienced DIY pro would give a young novice, would be to get the right tools for the job. Trying to bodge your way around a tap head gear with a spanner that clearly doesn't fit will do you no good at all. Bad tools will make the job harder, make it take much longer and more than likely give you a really poor finish at the end. Worst case, you may even end up doing more damage than there was to start with.

Do Your Homework

Before you start taking things apart, make sure you have read and understood all aspects of the job you are attempting. Finding you don't have the right part when you have taken everything to pieces and the shops are closed is not good for your blood pressure!

Allow Enough Time

Plan how long you think the job will take. Then add on some more time as a safety margin. You don't want to be rushed, or find nobody can use the toilet because because you still have the water turned off ages after you promised the job would be done.

Have Fun

DIY should be enjoyable, not stressful. If you don't get a sense of achievement from a job well done, then get someone else in to do it for you.

Be Safe

If you are in any doubt, get a professional in. There is no shame in admitting this job is just too complex for your current skills.

For hints and tips on completing those simpler home jobs, head to DIY help.

Tags: diy, home fix-up, house additions, remodeling, plumbing