Where do you go when you need help?

I think everyone has tried to Do-It-Yourself at some point in their life, whether it's the leaky faucet or a full-on remodel. Houses come with maintenance needs that should be addressed regularly. So where do you turn for help?
We've chosen not to have cable or satellite TV in our home, mostly because we weren't home enough to ever use it. So one of our favorite Saturday morning PBS shows was always  This Old House. It is so interesting to see them take a run-down house and fix it up. They also always gave out great tips.
Of course, for you lucky ducks with cable or satellite, there is always The DIY Network. So many useful shows, so little time.
And we can't forget the man who started DIY: Mr. Bob Vila.

Anywhere you turn on TV these days, there is almost always a show to tell you what you should do with your outdated bathroom or leaky faucet. Sometimes, even the best laid plans go awry. At our house, it isn't a "real" project until we've been to Lowes or Home Depot (OR BOTH!) at least 3 times. 

We've also found very helpful books at our local libraries. Check out the catalog at your library. There is probably an entire section of DIY- from simple to extravagant.

Of course, your motto when attempting any DIY project should be "Safety First!" Here are some good safety tips that will hopefully help you keep all your fingers where they belong.
1) Don't operate power tools unless you fully understand how to use them. Read the manual. Ask someone to show you how. Don't be a hero and start using the reciprocating saw by yourself without ever seeing one in real life.
2) Wear safety goggles when cutting or hammering, and wear ear protection if you are working with loud equipment- pretty much any power tool other than a drill is probably too loud. Those Hammer drills get awfully loud while driving nails into concrete. And wear a dust mask, especially when sanding. Yes, you may look like a dork. But you will be able to see and hear when the job is done, and that's worth much more.
3) Wear knee pads if working on your knees for long periods of time. Trust me on this one. Someone in the house is only 27, and already has creaky, painful knees from 8 years of theatrical carpentry spent without knee pads.
4) Be careful on that ladder! Don't set things on the top of it, that you will later forget are there and may fall and hit someone on the head. And watch where you are putting the feet of the ladder too. A sure foundation means easier work.
5) Tackle only those tasks you feel comfortable handling. Maybe one member of the household does electrical while the other handles the plumbing. Find what works for your house.
6) Learn what you can before you start. There is nothing like on-the-job experience for learning, but going into a complex job with an idea of how it should go will help you out in the long run. Yes, there will probably be a few snags, but you can do it!

So remember, safety first! And if you don't feel up to tackling the maintenance of your rental home, contact us to manage it for you. We offer affordably priced maintenance services.
And if you are thinking about a remodel, or in the middle of one, and just don't think you can handle it, our sister company Provident Development Group can help you out. Their job is to make your house look the way you want it, and they do a fine job of it.