7 Things You Should DIY instead of Paying Someone

There is a certain sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when you challenge yourself and manage to do tasks yourself for which you usually pay for. However, one of the first things we should ask ourselves when it comes to DIY is when it is actually a good choice to DIY and when it is better to hire professionals or simply buy something pre-made.

A lot of people will claim that the advantages of DIY projects are that they save money, however that is not necessarily true. If you can’t do something at the same level of quality as a pre-made item, then perhaps it is not worth investing your time. One of the advantages of DIY projects is that if you are able to reproduce the same level of quality, then there is space for some improvements compared to the original product because we have the option to add materials of better quality, especially when it comes to furniture. But then again, an exception to this rule would be if the material costs more than a pre-made product, especially if we don’t possess all the necessary tools, because then we have to add the cost of tools as well. Investing in tools however is never a bad option, it just depends on how useful they will be in the long term.

Most people avoid DIY simply because it seems too complicated or they believe that they lack the talent for it, but as with each craft or skill, a bit of practice makes wonders. However, some of the DIY projects proposed below are quite easy to figure and learn.

Sewing

Sewing and mending clothes was a skill that most people knew and applied just a century ago. However, the era of cheap clothing slowly deemed redundant this useful skill, but that is not to say that it is not still present. Sewing a button is something a 7-year-old can do after seeing it just once. Learning to sew is quite easy and not only is it helpful in any era, but it can also be useful for presents or Halloween projects for children. Halloween will be quite more memorable to children by remembering later in life how much effort their parents put by making the Halloween costumes themselves instead of buying one.

Wood work

This suggestion might seem quite challenging, however with proper tools the possibilities are various. One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need a huge space in order to have a proper workspace, however, everything depends on the projects. Even a simple chainsaw and a few handheld tools can be enough to create something. People even do chainsaw carvings with astonishing results. Check out some of the latest chainsaw model comparisons and you will be surprised how functional nowadays chainsaws can be. The best thing about creating your own tables, chairs, and furniture is that you can decide on the quality of material in advance, making it a long-lasting invention. 

Room Painting

Following the right steps, it is quite to achieve professional-level quality when painting a room. You just have to make sure you did a proper preparation before painting. You just have to prepare the surface properly and there is hardly any error after that. Scrape and sand the surface and after that patch and fill every hole and crack and check once again if there are any imperfections. Nowadays it is easy to paint because you can already buy pre-mixed paint which guarantees the same color result. In case you need some extra paint, you just have to remember the mixture which is usually indicated by the number at the local store.

Restore Old Tools

Rusty, neglected tools that look like they are no longer usable. That is rarely the case. With a bit of simple chemistry, scraping the rust and just a little bit of work, tools can be restored to look almost as when you first bought them. Sometimes all it takes is just a little bit of white vinegar and steel wool to remove the rust. As for the wooden areas, they are usually not that big and are easy and quite cheap to replace. Having a full bucket of rusty old tools can suddenly turn into a fully operating garage and it is quite a relaxing and exciting process, seeing how a rusty old hammer or an ax suddenly gets back its silvery glow.

Gardening

People after don’t want to prune trees and bushes themselves because they are afraid they may accidentally jeopardize their growth. But basic maintenance of a garden is quite simple. You just have to follow the right time to do it. All plants have a season for action, when to prune when to plant a seed or what part of the day to water the plants and so on. What’s even better, once you get the hang of it, you can shape your tree to your liking, or model your garden flowers in a certain pattern, etc.

It is a slow process, but the more time you invest, the bigger the reward.

Canning Your Own Food

This one is quite intimidating for a lot of people and for a good reason. It should be. Not following the proper instructions can lead to serious consequences, however, that is also the advantage. It is quite mathematical, you just have to follow all the steps and you simply know that there is no room for a mistake. The results will be the same each year. The first time trying canning fruits, vegetables and soups are always followed with a small dose of skepticism, but after the first or second successful result, confidence kicks in and then it turns into an experimentation phase. How about I try this fruit or this vegetable? The biggest advantage is that it is cheaper and healthier because you know what you are eating. You can 100% guarantee that it is free of chemical additives for retaining color and texture and that is something that no money can buy.

Home Repair

Need to fix a clogged sink? Caulk a bathtub or a shower? Unclog a toilet? Hang a bookshelf? These are all simple problems that occur quite often and don’t take too much time and effort, however, it will save a lot of money. They say that the best way to learn is by try and error. Every time you make a mistake you’ll learn for good.

These skills and many others used to be common knowledge that passed to the next generation, and then it suddenly seemed redundant. The internet is so vast nowadays that you can key in "The Tool Scout" in the google search bar, and you will find this website that can provide a simple DIY solution to your problem.