H Mag - The Handy Mag for Home, Hardware and Home DIY Jun. 2014 | Page 8

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off only by a qualified tradesperson.
Talk to your local council to find out if you need building consent.
This needs to be done before you attempt projects.
Work in a logical sequence to avoid damaging work already
undertaken, for example, painting the walls should come before
sanding and polishing the floors or getting the carpetlayers in.
Make sure exposed surfaces are protected from the weather or other
dangers while work is underway, for example, cover the bath and
vanity while painting the walls to avoid splatter, or have some way of
preventing rain coming in on newly painted window sills.
Work through the rooms in a systematic way, finishing each room
before moving on to the next. This keeps the project manageable
and means you can start re-using rooms as they are finished.

Insurance
Your insurance policy may not automatically cover any accidents
that occur while you are doing DIY work. Before starting, contact
your insurance company, tell them what you are proposing to do
and make sure your house and contents insurance covers that work.
This is not only for your protection, but for that of future owners.

Unless you can borrow or already have them, you’ll
have to spend money on tools and equipment. Buying
cheaply is not always economical. If you buy a power
tool – for example, a circular saw – that you’ll only use
once or twice a year, you can probably get away with
the cheapest one on the shelf. But if you plan to build
a whole deck, you’ll be better paying out for a more
expensive but sturdier option.

Ladders, electrical wires, power tools and chemicals all
have the potential to cause you or your family harm
when you are doing jobs around the home.
Use protective clothing and keep you children busy
doing something else while you DIY.

• Always follow instructions , and always remember DIY is
for everyone.
• Do projects together, it’s way more fun.
• Always take a break when doing DIY to ensure you don’t
finish the project you working on out of frustration.