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DIY Season

Published: 03rd April 2009

For many, the Easter holiday is the perfect opportunity to spruce up your home after the ravages of winter. The long weekend is the ideal time to make a start on those long overdue DIY tasks and thousands of us take to our ladders at this time of year to do just that.

But before you begin, it is worth bearing in mind a number of key points to ensure your decorating delight doesn't soon turn into decorating despair....

Decorating Delight

• Is the job better suited for a professional? You will save on labour costs by doing it yourself but it may take longer to complete the job and, even then, you run the risks of needing a professional to finish the job. If you start a project, make sure you are prepared to finish. After all, what use is a wonky shelf?  

• Try to establish some sort of cost plan before you begin. Many fall into the trap of buying things on a whim but this can prove a rather expensive process by the time you have finished.

• Using tiles to decorate the home is becoming increasingly popular throughout the UK, allowing home-owners to get creative in the DIY process. Installing most floor tiles should be possible for those with standard DIY skills but if you intend to use unusual patterns or you're installing more expensive stone tiles, it may be prudent to employ the expertise of a tiling professional.

• Painting is one of the most enjoyable DIY tasks and gives you the opportunity to be creative in your own home. Although paint itself is easy to apply, it can be more difficult to get a really smooth finish. For instance, ensure the surface is free from dirt, grease or any old flakes of paint before painting any surface and also establish whether this first needs a base coat or skim coat.

DIY Despair

It is the time of year which fills Doctors and A&E staff with dread. The start of the DIY season is usually met with an influx of bruised foreheads and bruised egos as many take to their tool box to repair and renovate their homes.

With over 200,000 DIY accidents each year, we thought what better time to give our top 5 tips to avoid being one of the walking wounded:

1.    Wear the right clothing. Safety goggles and face masks should always be worn when using sanders and drills while loose and baggy clothing are a no no. You can't go wrong with protective clothing. If you are using a ladder, non slip footwear is a must.

2.    Use common sense. You'd be amazed at how many DIY accidents come about as a result of the most basic negligence. So keep water well away from electricity and if you are working near your home's electrical wiring, make sure you turn off the mains first.

3.    Make sure you have insurance. Although most home insurance policies include accidental damage during DIY, it is worth double checking before you begin. The last thing you want after a DIY disaster is an expensive repair bill.

4.    Chemical safety is paramount. Keep all chemical products such as paint stripper and weed killer way out of reach of children and never use flammable liquids near a naked flame.

5.    Read the instructions. Thoroughly. Urgh. I know it's a bore and you just want to get going but if you are using tools and machinery, make sure you know exactly how to use them before giving it a stab. Or a slash. Or a burn. 

Submit you best DIY video to contact@buildersuperstore.co.uk and the best one will win a £500 Builder Superstore coupon and the 4 runner ups will receive a £50 coupon!