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For:     Release week of May 3, 2004

To:       Rotating News Article

By:       Linda K. Bowman, Ext. Agt. IV - Family & Consumer Sciences

            UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension

            Telephone: 850/623-3868 or 934-5278

 

To Do-it-yourself or Not to Do-it-yourself

 

Each year we see a flurry of activity at local nurseries and home improvement centers when the weather turns warm.  It is a time when we may decide to be a do-it-yourselfer.  Most homeowners attempt to do some of their own work.

 

According to the University of Florida’s “My Home Book,” some of the advantages include:

 

·        Cost Savings:  It only saves money to “do it yourself” if you can truly do the work, if you have tools to do the work and you can afford the cost of materials.

·        Convenience:  You can work on the job as you have time and money to do it.

·        Learning:  If you can begin with small projects, the experience may help when the project is more complicated.

·        Tools:  If you add to your tools each time you do a project, you can build up a collection that will be helpful with future jobs.

 

Disadvantages include:

 

  • Time:  It may take longer to complete than planned.  If it is an emergency, you may not be able to do without for that period of time.
  • Cost:  It may cost more due to lack of knowledge when selecting materials or tools.  You may still need to have a professional do the work.
  • Danger:  Do-it-yourself work can be dangerous if knowledge/experience is lacking.
  • Requirements:  You may need a licensed contractor to get a loan for repairs or necessary permits.

 

Some of the questions you should ask yourself before attempting to tackle a job yourself:

 

  • Do I like doing this kind of work?
  • Can I afford the added cost if I still need to hire a professional?
  • Do I have the time to do the job?
  • Will it look professional if I do it myself?
  • Do I have someone who can “bail me out” if I have a problem and need help?

 

If you find that your answers are negative, you might want to rethink your decision to tackle the job yourself.  If you do choose to get help, there are also some things to consider.

 

If you decide that you can do the repairs yourself, follow these ten commandments for do-it-yourselfers:

 

  1. Write down your plan:

·        Put in writing each step you plan to follow.

·        Find out more information if you aren’t sure about something.  Go to the library or ask someone you know who has successfully completed the task.

 

  1. Remember, Safety First:

·        Injuries are not worth the project.

 

  1. Do only one thing at a time.

 

  1. Follow directions as given.

 

  1. Get all supplies and tools together before starting the repair.

 

  1. Remember the most important rule for keeping costs down:

·        When cutting anything, measure twice, and cut once.

 

  1. Control your temper:

·        Flying wrenches and bashed-in walls are costly, exhausting and dangerous.

·        Take a break or let someone else work on the project for a while.

 

  1. Don’t force anything:

·        Plastic breaks, wood splits, metal bends.

·        Forcing the square peg into a round hole seldom brings desired results.

 

  1. Use only tools you know how to use:

·        Become familiar with tools you have not worked with before.  Practice on something before trying it on your expensive project.

 

  1. See the job through:

·        A long break in the work may interrupt the smooth flow and may result in poorer workmanship.

 

For more information or if you have a question, call Linda Bowman, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, The University of Florida/IFAS-Santa Rosa County Extension, at  850-623-3868 or 850-934-5278 (for south county residents), between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm weekdays.  Hearing-impaired individuals may call Santa Rosa County Emergency Management Service at 983-5373 (TDD).

 

Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.  The use of trade names in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information.  It is not a guarantee, warranty, or endorsement of the product name(s) and does not signify that they are approved to the exclusion of others.