Plan Successfully for Home Improvement Projects
Every homeowner wants to do the occasional home improvement project and planning a successful project is all about sourcing the best materials at the most affordable cost.
02/09/2022
It has taken a couple of years to finalise the process of getting back my lounge space after using it for the DIY-Divas workshop and, while it has taken quite a while to complete the project, I prefer to do what I can afford as and when I can. It might take a bit longer but at the end of the day I won't be out of pocket and have been able to purchase exactly what I need for the job.
Proper planning is essential
Planning the course of the project was an easy one. I had an idea in mind of what I wanted to do, and it was just a matter of researching what I required and purchasing the necessary items as and when I could. Yes, it would have been easier to apply for a loan for the funds needed but, in these times, with interest rates and inflation slowly increasing, why put yourself in more debt when you could just save up a bit longer and end up being free of any added debt?
There is no rush when planning any project in fact, the more time you have to think about what is involved, the more time you will discover things you might have missed.
The entrance to the new lounge is just off the front door into a small entrance hall. I wanted the lounge to be a private space and have always loved the look of wooden French doors.
Visualise what the project involves and the steps it would take to complete each step. After refitting the lounge, the last step would be to install the French doors, this meant cutting cornice around the ceiling and removing skirting board along the floor to accommodate the framework that would be installed to accommodate the French doors.
A wooden framework is put in place around the door frame to provide support. This framework is fastened to the walls with wall plugs and screws. This is where you need to make sure that everything is straight both horizontally and vertically or the doors will not hang properly.
With the wooden framework in place the next step is to clad the frame. While gypsum board or ceiling board would be sufficient, I clad the frame with 9mm SupaWood (MDF) for a stronger wall. I also intend to paint the covered frame and it is easy to paint over SupaWood.
With the framework complete, the doors are screwed in position to check that everything is as it should be, and the doors hang nicely or if any adjustments need to be made.
Understand your limits
Too often, homeowners take on home improvement projects that are over and above their level of skills. Not knowing how to use specific tools or having a lack of understanding of the processes involved can too easily result in a failed project and one that could cost even more money to rectify. Before starting any home improvement project, go through the plan you have put together and decide what you can do and when you will need to hire expert artisans or labourers.
We are lucky to live in the digital age where information is freely available about almost any topic. It is simply a matter of going online to learn new methods and techniques if you don't know how to do something. And a word of caution here... don't only look at one source but rather view a selection of different sources to get the full picture and understand the process.
The French doors were successfully installed, and the cost came in far less than originally anticipated. With some shopping around and researching available options, you have the opportunity to keep home improvement costs as low as possible and do most of the job yourself. What could be more satisfying than that?
