Tag Archives: diy

What not to DIY with plumbing and electrical

Posted on July 8, 2012 | 1 comment

With DIY electrical and plumbing work, it’s more about what you can’t do than what you can.

The law is black and white when it comes to working on the electrical and plumbing systems in your home.

If it’s much beyond changing a light bulb or a tap washer, you will probably need to get the relevant licensed tradesperson onto it, if in doubt call a tradie.

The following information is a general overview of just some of the laws and regulations you must be aware of before attempting any work on the electrical and plumbing systems in and around your home.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes

1 Comment

Posted in remodeling

Tagged diy, electrical, plumbing, real estate appraisal, san diego

Remember Safety First when DIY

Posted on June 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

Successful DIY is a joy and most of us escape the experience relatively unscathed.

However, people do sustain all sorts of nasty injuries with DIY. You can minimise the risks by taking some simple precautions.

Will DIY projects add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions.

The basics:

Identify potential hazards
Prepare both yourself and your work area
Use safe work practices
Clean up properly

Unless managed and handled properly some of the materials you will be exposed to may harm you, your family, pregnant women, pets, neighbours, your garden and the environment in general.

Sound Advice for the DIY Renovation Novice

Posted on April 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

Broken pipes, sagging ceilings and bruised egos are some of the lesser casualties of projects gone wrong, and if you believe the stats, around half of all DIY projects end in disaster.

Paying to fix a botched job – and dealing with smug tradies – will quickly wipe out any potential savings and brownie points.

So question whether you really have the time, tools and ability to pull off a major DIY project or renovation before you reach for the sledgehammer. And heed the following advice from those who have survived it.

1. Planning and managing

It’s a fact: your planning and project management skills will make or break a renovation – as well as a marriage. So quit now if you don’t think you’re up to it. Research should be exhaustive and your plan as detailed as possible. Divide your wish list into three categories: essential, optional and desirable. Then get out the red pen.

Work out a time line and budget, allowing for a 20 per cent contingency. Make sure you get any required planning approvals and owner-builder certificates.

You’ll have a better shot at domestic harmony if you divvy up the major tasks: one manages the budget, the other oversees the tradies and timeline. And both share the drudgery of chores and daily clean up.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only