Photo by Senne
Some of us are good at DIY and some of us are…not, but even those of us who are not great at doing those little jobs around the house can learn to be more proficient, or at the very least, we can avoid making those big glaring DIY mistakes that often cost us more time and money than they need to, and sometimes even end up with us having to call a professional in too.
That being the case, let’s take a look at 6 DIY mistakes you really never want to make:
Using Whatever Tools You Happen to Find
Another classic mistake is trying to make do with tools that aren’t right for the job. We’ve all tried to hammer something with the end of a screwdriver or tighten a screw using a knife because the actual screwdriver mysteriously vanished. It works… until it doesn’t. Bad tools cause bad results, and occasionally a painful finger. Investing in a few decent basics is worth every penny. And once you start building your confidence, having proper fixings and fasteners becomes invaluable. Sites like efixings are brilliant for stocking up on the bits you always need but never seem to have when the moment strikes.
Measuring by Guesswork
Here’s a universal truth: eyeballing measurements is how DIY heartbreak happens. A shelf ends up slanted. A curtain rail doesn’t reach the bracket. A piece of wood you were absolutely sure was the right length turns out to be laughably wrong. Measuring twice and cutting once isn’t just a phrase; it’s a vital part of getting things right and not having every project end up in disaster. A tape measure should be your DIY best friend, not that one cousin you call only when you’re desperate.
Forgetting About Safety
DIY looks fun and harmless until you step back and realise you’ve been sanding without goggles or drilling with bare feet. Even small projects can go sideways fast if you’re not thinking about safety. Wearing proper protection and keeping a stocked first aid kit nearby makes every project much less stressful. Nobody wants to abandon a half-painted wall because they tripped over a cable or sliced a finger on packaging they opened too enthusiastically.
Ignoring the Prep Work
A huge DIY mistake is skipping the boring stuff. Prep work is the unglamorous foundation that makes everything else possible. Painting over dust, drilling into mystery walls, or assembling furniture without checking all the pieces is a recipe for chaos. Cleaning surfaces, smoothing rough edges, checking for pipes behind walls – these tiny steps save time, money, and the occasional embarrassed phone call to a professional.
Overestimating Your Abilities (And Refusing Help)
There’s no shame in admitting you’re out of your depth. Sometimes a problem isn’t a “quick fix” but rather it’s a structural nightmare pretending to be a loose hinge. Overestimating your abilities can turn a small issue into a big, wallet-emptying crisis. Knowing when to call a friend, ask someone who’s done it before, or bring in a professional is part of becoming genuinely good at DIY.
DIY is brilliant when you do it right. It’s empowering and money-saving, and it can even be fun, but only if you avoid the mistakes!
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