Common DIY Handyman Mistakes

All handymen make mistakes at some point – it goes with the territory of planning and executing projects around the house. Even as you get more familiar with the tricks of the trade, a mistake every now and then cannot be avoided. Problems with a project can cost you more time and money than you anticipated, which can be discouraging for beginner handymen. Here are some common errors you should be aware of in order to avoid them.

• As excited as you feel to finally tear that ugly wall down or rip out those countertops, missing tools or materials will derail your schedule. Stay organized by writing down a plan of what you expect to accomplish each day. Include details of the tools and materials you need to make sure everything gets done. Make a note of missing items and place an order at EquipSupply.com before you start the job.
• Accurate measurement of walls, baseboards, pipes, countertops, or any other feature is required to complete the project flawlessly. Inexperienced handymen may think eyeballing their measurements is acceptable, only to end up cutting off too much. Always measure twice and cut once. If you’re nervous about a measurement, err on the side of caution. You can always make something shorter, but you can’t reassemble a part that is already too short.
• Make sure to take all the safety measures needed when working around your house. For example, wear safety goggles when handling power tools, wear a hard hat when you’re working in a zone where scaffolding or other materials can fall, and open windows when painting or staining. Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes when using power tools. And keep children out of construction zones, especially when work is in progress.
• The most important part of painting your walls is the preparation that happens before you actually paint. Clean your walls, sand them, or patch holes before painting. For a look that lasts longer than average, use a primer or stain blocker.
• Ladder accidents are very common and send more than 240,000 people to the emergency room each year. When working with ladders, do not stand on the top steps and do not stretch beyond your reach.
• There are acceptable ways to lower the cost of projects, but purchasing low quality tools is not one of them. High quality tools will last for years to come and provide you with a better sense of security when you are using them. EquipSupply.com offers the highest quality tools in the industry.