Diy Landscaping Walls
Important things to do before you start on your DIY home and garden project
Things to consider before you start.
1. Is the task I’m considering,within my capabilities, or should I be getting outside help?..All too often, I have been called out to rectify a mess that has occured due to lack of forethought .
2. Can you afford to complete the task? ..Unless you are planning to do the job in phases. Ensure you have adequate funds to complete the job. Always allow a contingency fund, for when things go wrong.Every item should be accurately costed, don’t guess,it’s nearly always wrong. Allow for tool hire where necessary, and delivery costs for larger items.
3. Do you have the appropriate amount of time to complete the job. If it’s an out door job always allow for the weather, it can hold you up for ages. If the building inspectors involved,don’t assume that a phone call will bring them running, the’re busy people and don’t always know what they have on for that day until it happens. Deliveries are also often a problem. Don’t think that your delivery will be the first of the day, or even on that day! Always assume the worst, and you shouldn’t go far wrong.
4. Do you have the inclination?This may sound daft, but I have been called out on a number of occasions where the person has lost interest in the job. To call someone in is fine, as long as you can find someone at short notice, and be able to afford them. They wont be quoting a low price if they see you’re in trouble.
5. Are all the tools that you plan to use in good working order, and capable of doing the job? Do you have spare blades and bits, they always break or go off at the most inopportune moment. If you are planning to hire any equipment, reserve the item well in advance. “sorry sir/madam that tool was hired out this morning” ,is not what you want to hear when you turn up at the hire shop.
6. Make careful plans of the job and the work schedule. Draw a plan to scale (1:50 is usually good). Check that what you want to do will work within the space that you have available. If the building inspector has to be involved, you may have to submit more detailed plans for approval prior to starting. I your not sure, then contact your local planning officer for advice, I have always found them very helpful.
7. If friends have said that they will help, establish that they can actually do the task that you will want them to, and that they will be available for the time that you want them. “Sorry mate, I’ve got to go shopping”, is often the case when it actually comes down to doing something!
8. Check that those around you are happy with your planned schedule, if you start refitting the kitchen on the day that your partner had organized a dinner party, look out!
9. Work out a detailed schedule of works, allowing time for when things go wrong. Like your money, time can also run out fast when you’re under pressure. I you leave the family with no toilet overnight, thing could get ugly.
10. Organise your materials deliveries and collections carefully. you don’t want to be held up waiting for parts, neither do you want loads of bulky materials in the way until you want them.
11. Before you start, check that any contractors that you have lined up are still available.
12. Check that your works are not going to involve any gas or electrical (moving pipes and cables) that you are not qualified to do. check all areas of wall where you are going to be working aren’t hiding any pipes or cables, (a stud finder can be useful here but not always 100% reliable, be careful).
13. Check that you can find all the isolator taps, and that they work. Water isolators in particular can be a problem. check that the outside stop tap is also working, and that it only turns off the supply to your site. make sure you can reach the outside stop tap, ( they can be very deep). If you can’t reach, get yourself a tool from your diy store that will do the job. If this tap wont close down, you will need to contact your local water authority for them to come and replace it,(don’t worry, it will be at their cost). If you have to involve the water authority, then be prepared for a lengthy wait.
13. Once all this is done, you should be ready to start, but take your time,enjoy the experience, and be proud of your achievement, even if you have only hung a picture!!.
for more diy help
http://www.diytipstoolshelpandadvice.com/
About the Author
Hi I’m Paul, Ive been involved in the development of property and landscapes for a long time now at all levels of involvement, from management to hands on.
I am often asked for help or advice on how to carry out various diy tasks. This has led me to writing about it, and running a blog on the subject.
If you need help, either visit my blog where the answer may already be, or ask here, and I will try to help.
http://www.diytipstoolshelpandadvice.com/
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