A WHILE BACK, I discovered that many women have a common secret that they're embarrassed to admit: They're deathly afraid that if they try to repair something on their own at home (unclog the bathroom sink, hang a picture in the living room, fix a door that's sticking), they'll break the house! They actually think that minor home improvements like these are for men only to tackle. This notion will either sound silly or all too familiar to you. Well, I'm here to reassure you that you're just as capable of wielding a hammer as anybody else. What you may be missing is simply the knowledge and the confidence to give it a shot.
Fortunately, the knowledge is at your fingertips and the confidence will come with repeated success. Whether you learn best by reading books, attending classes, watching how-to videos, or browsing through websites doesn't really matter. The information is yours for the taking. What you need now is the motivation to step up and listen to the voice inside that says, "I can do this; how hard can it be?" Taking on and completing home improvement projects is not only a way to save money, it can also build your confidence and self-esteem, and it adds to the list of things that make you a great role model for your children. Plus, there is something incredibly satisfying about opening a door that you fixed and walking on through. These six home improvement 101 strategies can provide the basis for your venture into the world of home repair.
GET THE RIGHT TOOLS
As a mom with lots of experience in this field, I suggest you acquire your own personal collection of tools and then hide it! There's nothing more frustrating than reaching for a screwdriver that someone else in the house borrowed (or played with) and forgot to return. Start with these five essentials: a battery powered drill/screwdriver, a utility knife (for cutting through the plastic casing on new products or breaking down cardboard boxes), a caulking gun (for replacing the caulk around your tub or kitchen sink), a hammer, and a six-in-one painter's tool (for scraping out old caulk or spackling small holes in the wall). For the toolbox, I recommend a plastic one about 8" x 8" x 16." Once you have a box, you can add more tools as you need them for new projects. A few other items I also recommend always having on hand: duct tape, electrical tape, Teflon tape (for replacing a shower head), scissors, and an assortment of picture hangers, wall anchors, and thin wire (for hanging mirrors, pictures, and more).
GET GOOD ADVICE
Make friends with the folks at your local hardware store or big box home center — they're a great resource and usually the best place to start when you have no idea what you're doing. Feel free to walk in and say, "I need to fix a hole in my wall. What materials do I need? How can I get this done?" Most of the reps have been in the business for years and really know what they're talking about. They love to pass along their expertise and can steer you away from stuff (tools, materials, etc.) you don't need and toward useful books and websites. They'll probably answer questions you wouldn't have thought to ask, too.
SHOP WITH A STRATEGY
As with most shopping, it's best to go to the store for home repair supplies when it's not super busy. Your new best friends (the hardware store employees) will have more time to guide you through the aisles. If you do any quick research before you head out — let's say you look up instructions online for installing a new shower head in the bathroom — consider bringing a printout of the plan so you can have the staff look it over, provide pointers, and amend the list of suggested supplies, if need be.
DROP OFF THE KIDS
It sounds elementary, but you'd be surprised at how many moms forget this crucial step. You can't successfully complete a repair project if you have to stop every few minutes to fetch a juice box or settle a dispute over who gets to play the new computer game next. Take your kids to Grandma's or hire a babysitter. The greatest satisfaction comes from completing a project with as few roadblocks and distractions as possible, so it's important to give yourself the greatest chance to succeed.
STAND YOUR GROUND
If your husband or a neighbor either swoops in with the best of intentions or tries to take over so you don't "waste your time," let him know that you appreciate his offer, but you're set on doing it yourself, even if it takes you longer than it would take him. Explain that you don't like feeling unskilled around your own home and that doing it yourself is the best way to learn.
KNOW WHEN TO SAY NO
It's completely OK to walk away from a project you don't feel comfortable trying (like something involving electrical work), or that is simply just too big to take on. While there are plenty of tasks you can take care of on your own, there are also licensed, professional handymen for a good reason. And if you start a project and something unexpected comes up that you don't think you can handle, it's never too late to call for backup.
WORK ZONE Info-packed resources for staying in the know in the world of home repair: DIYORNOT.COM
Does a cost comparison between doing the job yourself and hiring a pro
RONHAZELTON.COM
Step-by-step instructions and videos
THE FAMILY HANDYMAN MAGAZINE
20 issues per year cover everything from basement insulation to installing vinyl floors
HOME IMPROVEMENT 1-2-3
A book of expert advice from the Home Depot on over 340 projects; full of photos, illustrations, charts, and more.
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By Marie Leonard
MARIE LEONARD is the author of Marie's Home Improvement Guide. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Westford, MA. Find more of her handy tips at marieshomeimprovement.com.
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