A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.

Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

Balancing Cost and Convenience in DIY Home Repairs

Are you a homeowner struggling with the decision to purchase necessary repairs or attempt them yourself? Whether it’s to save money, be hands-on, or have control over an issue – understanding how any savings balance against convenience and safety can often be challenging. This article seeks to explain how to make a prudent decision on DIY home repairs versus opting for professional help. Read on for a review of common design principles that will offer clarity when making the sometimes daunting assessment for your particular situation.

Are you a homeowner struggling with the decision to purchase necessary repairs or attempt them yourself? Whether it’s to save money, be hands-on, or have control over an issue – understanding how any savings balance against convenience and safety can often be challenging. This article seeks to explain how to make a prudent decision on DIY home repairs versus opting for professional help. Read on for a review of common design principles that will offer clarity when making the sometimes daunting assessment for your particular situation.

Knowing When DIY Home Repairs Can Save You Money 

If you're a homeowner, you know that managing your living space sometimes means taking on a bit of DIY. The question is, when is it safe to do so, and when should you call in the pros? It's tempting to try and save a buck by doing repairs yourself, but the reality is that some jobs require a level of expertise that the average person simply doesn't have. If you're trying to decide whether to tackle a fix-it project or turn to professional help, there are a few factors to consider. How complex is the task? How much do you know about the process? How much time and money are you willing to invest? Weighing these variables can help you make a smart decision that ultimately saves you time, money, and headache. 

Gather the Right Tools and Materials 

As any DIY enthusiast knows, having the right tools and materials is essential for getting the job done right. Without the proper equipment, even the simplest of projects can become frustrating and time-consuming. To make the most out of your DIY ventures, it's important to gather the right tools and materials beforehand. Whether you're working on a small project around the house or tackling a larger renovation, having the right gear is critical. By taking the time to select the appropriate tools and materials, you'll be setting yourself up for success and ensuring that your project is completed with ease.

Understand What Safety Precautions are Needed

When working on projects for your home, you need to understand what safety precautions are necessary to ensure a safe workspace. DIY projects often involve the use of heavy machinery, power tools, and sharp objects, all of which can be dangerous if not handled carefully. Some essential safety measures include wearing protective gear such as gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots. It's also crucial to read and follow the user manual for any equipment you plan to use and keep your workspace clutter-free and well-ventilated. Being aware of your surroundings is also crucial. For example, if you're working on a roofing replacement, make sure you keep an eye out for the slope of your roof and any tools you have sitting around. By taking these precautions, you can have peace of mind knowing you're keeping yourself and those around you safe while enjoying your DIY projects.

Get Familiar With Home Repair Tips and Advice From Pros 

As a homeowner, there's a good chance you'll encounter a problem or two that you'll want to fix yourself. From leaky faucets to creaky doors, it seems like there's always something that needs fixing or improving around the house. But don't worry, you don't have to tackle these projects alone. There are plenty of home repair tips and advice from the pros that can help anyone become a DIY master. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced DIYer, learning a few new skills can save you time and money in the long run. Look for videos online regarding your specific appliance model, or ask handymen and women in your life for their recommendations. You can acquire all sorts of skills by being open-minded and putting in the effort.

Learn When it's Best to Call a Professional 

There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of fixing something yourself, but sometimes it's best to call in the professionals. Knowing when to do so can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration. If you're dealing with something complex or potentially dangerous, it's often best to leave it to the experts. For example, electrical work, plumbing, or even painting the walls can all be tricky endeavors at times. While you may feel confident tackling certain tasks yourself, weighing the risks and benefits before getting started is crucial. If you've given it a good attempt, and especially if you're at a threshold where the gear you'll need would cost as much as hiring someone, it's probably best to just hire someone.

Be Prepared for Unexpected Costs or Delays

No matter how much you plan and prepare, unexpected costs and delays are inevitable when undertaking home repair projects. It's important to be proactive and take steps to minimize their impact. An emergency fund can provide peace of mind and a safety net for unexpected expenses. Additionally, building in a buffer of extra time when planning projects can account for any unexpected delays. Being prepared for the unexpected can make all the difference in ensuring a successful outcome in any situation.

No matter which routes you choose for your home repair project, DIY or hire a professional, it is beneficial to think through the various options and make an informed decision. To do this, consider the complexity of the task, as well as safety considerations. Research the materials and tools necessary to complete the task while researching helpful advice from professionals. If you decide that a contractor is needed, you can assess someone’s credibility by looking at their work history and customer reviews. That way, you can formulate a plan that takes into account your budget and skill level while making sure the job is done right. At times, unexpected costs or delays may occur during the process: be prepared with backup resources in case this happens. All in all, investing effort into carefully evaluating and planning each step of a home repair will help ensure success.

Read More
Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

Guest Post - Creative Uses for PVC Pipe in the Home

PVC pipe is a commonplace material which can be found in most homes. If you have some spare after your latest renovation project, know that it doesn’t have to go to waste! There are countless creative ways to make use of PVC pipe that can entertain adults and kids alike. 

PVC pipe is a commonplace material which can be found in most homes. If you have some spare after your latest renovation project, know that it doesn’t have to go to waste! There are countless creative ways to make use of PVC pipe that can entertain adults and kids alike. 

First of all, you might need to cut your PVC pipe into smaller pieces for many of these ideas. There are a few ways you can do this:

  • Use a hand saw. This can be a bit time consuming, but if you secure the PVC pipe in place you can cut exact measurements safely.

  • Use a miter saw. Be sure to wear safety goggles to protect from dust, and secure your pipe under the saw before cutting.

  • Use a specialist PVC cutting tool. If you don’t own any power saws then this is a great piece of equipment for cutting PVC pipe up to 1 ⅝” in diameter.

#1: Making chairs. PVC pipe makes a great framework for outdoor camping chairs. Simply attach pieces of pipe in the shape of a chair and add some sturdy fabric to sit on! 

#2: Makeshift storage containers. Simply add caps to either end of a piece of pipe and you have yourself a storage container for nuts, bolts, paperclips or any other hardware you can think of.

#3: Cable tidy. One for the adults in the home! If you have a mess of tangled cables, you know how much it can take away from the attractiveness of the room. Simply feed the cables or wires through the PVC pipe and out of the other end. This helps keep them tidy.

#4: Effectively water plants. If you drill small holes into a piece of PVC pipe, you can then add water and place it into a long potted plant. This way, water will drip through the holes evenly across the soil for a quick solution to watering large plants.

#5: Make a new wine rack. For a non-traditional and inexpensive wine rack, simply layer hollow pieces of PVC pipe on top of each other in the style of a wine rack. Make you sure you have measured the pipe to ensure a bottle of wine will fit snugly inside!

#6: Make a hammock for your pets. Your dog or cat will love chilling out inside your homemade PVC hammock! Attach four pieces of pipe into a rectangular shape and add some fabric tightly over the top for your furry friend to sit on.

Written by Jack Vale in partnership with Fed Steel piping distributors

Read More
Design Ben Soreff Design Ben Soreff

Home Decorating Tips For the DIYer in You

Part of the fun of doing things yourself is the opportunity to learn. So, this list of home decorating tips is specifically focused on your inner DIYer. You may be itching for a project after a hiatus, yearning for that feeling of satisfaction you get from doing your own work. I hope this list serves to inspire you!

Part of the fun of doing things yourself is the opportunity to learn. So, this list of home decorating tips is specifically focused on your inner DIYer. You may be itching for a project after a hiatus, yearning for that feeling of satisfaction you get from doing your own work. I hope this list serves to inspire you!

Home decorating isn’t overly concerned with fashion. Rather, it adds to the comfort of home with aesthetic elements that raise comfort to an art form. Let’s review a list of home decorating tips for the DIYer in you.

Produce a Critical Path

Sometimes, DIY enthusiasts bite off more than they can chew. Being realistic about your bandwidth is your best friend, but your second best friend is the critical path. Used in project management, the critical path creates a site of accountability for members of a team. In your case, that’s you. The document supports timely fulfillment of project deliverables, ensuring you don’t get stuck. 

The critical path document keeps you honest by keeping you moving. By putting firm delivery dates on every stage of your planned project, you stay on track and when you’re done, on to the next project!

Master Color Expression

We all have our preferred colors. That doesn’t mean they should be on your living room walls. Sometimes the colors we like are overwhelming on the walls of rooms we want to relax in. Einstein said that everything is made of energy. Spending some time thinking about the energetic quality you’re hoping to achieve with color helps you decide on a theme.

Examine and learn from the color wheel, read about the psychology of color, and combine your personal preferences and instincts with new information for the win!

Practice Self-Expression

DIY and crafts aren’t the only way to put your personal fingerprint on your home habitat. Objects infused with personal meaning, family history, and milestone memories are the decor backbone of family homes everywhere. But your fingerprint is unique, so get personal as you express yourself.

The highly-personal art of paint by numbers is one way the whole family can get involved in contributing to your home decorating fingerprint, personalizing your home even more. Every member can choose a meaningful image, paint it, and add it to the walls of your home, gracing it with family solidarity.

Give New Life to Old Friends

Even in our disposable world, there are some pieces of furniture we can’t seem to quit. So, giving new life to old friends is a DIY labor of love and an act of environmental responsibility. If you choose to dig up that curved upholstery needle and staple gun, have at it. Reupholstering work can be a worthy teacher. But there are more ways than one to get it done.

Before you do anything though, have the piece cleaned or steam clean it yourself. You’ll be glad you did because you’re removing years of dirt and oils you don’t want around anymore. You may choose to reupholster by hand or you may be happier with a DIY slip cover as you breathe new life into old friends.

Telling Your Story

It’s said that every picture tells a story but the objects we fill our homes with do too. Every home decorating scheme should be held together with a strong sense of your story. It doesn’t matter whether you’re decorating your first apartment or your family home. 

Objects of significance in your life story—anything from a ship in a bottle to a tribal mask from your travel adventures—are to be honored. Think about highlighting such heirloom decor items with recessed or LED lighting on a feature wall for maximum impact. Items might also be placed on console tables, making them stand out, start conversations, and tell your story.

Creativity is nothing new to DIYers but a little inspiration can become something beautiful. Build on your skills with some new ideas and approach these home decorating tips as a creative challenge. When you open your door to visitors, you’ll have that proud smile on your face that says, “I made this!”

Read More
Home Ideas Ben Soreff Home Ideas Ben Soreff

Guest Post - Home Improvement Projects to Avoid Doing Yourself

Being a home DIY expert is a great way to save some money and ensure that everything is done to your specifications, but for some home improvement projects, it's best to shell out a few dollars for professional assistance. In the long run, DIYing some important projects can cost you more money down the road if done improperly. That's why it's best to know what projects you can and cannot do yourself. This guide has been written to educate all of the self-made home improvers out there on when to call an expert.

Being a home DIY expert is a great way to save some money and ensure that everything is done to your specifications, but for some home improvement projects, it's best to shell out a few dollars for professional assistance. In the long run, DIYing some important projects can cost you more money down the road if done improperly. That's why it's best to know what projects you can and cannot do yourself. This guide has been written to educate all of the self-made home improvers out there on when to call an expert.

Installing a Light Fixture 

Installing a light fixture is an excellent example of a project that seems easy but can be dangerous for DIY experts. Even small electrical projects are best left to professionals; electricians have undergone arduous training and are much less likely to damage your circuits. There is the additional risk of injuring yourself while installing a light fixture. Even if the light is switched off, there is a possibility of live wires running close by. 

Avoid potentially damaging your circuits and injuring yourself by calling a professional for light fixture installation and other small electrical tasks.

Finishing Rooms

The structure of your home is nothing to play around with. While finishing your attic or basement may seem tempting, this could be a recipe for disaster. Poorly installed foundation and drywall can develop into much more expensive problems down the line. DIY experts often do not account for the strength of their home's structure or other architectural flaws that may arise from finishing a room. 

Removing Drywall or Paint

This may sound like an exaggeration, but removing drywall or paint can have quite adverse effects on your health, and often, these removal jobs are best left to professionals. Many older homes have dangerous chemicals in the paint or drywall. Chemicals like asbestos can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest pain. It is best to have a professional test your home for asbestos or other chemicals before DIYing or have them do the job entirely. 

Fixing Broken Pipes

Fixing broken pipes is an ambitious task for the most experienced do-it-yourself professional. Your home's water system, similar to your electric circuit, is very sensitive and requires experience and precision to work on properly. Without this expertise, home improvers can cost themselves significant amounts of money by fixing pipes improperly. Poor pipe installation can cause water leaks, clogging, and many other problems that can be expensive to fix. Save yourself the headache and call a plumber.

Roof Repair

Roof repair is another DIY project that is not worth the effort. First things first, working on roofs is dangerous, even for professionals. It takes a lot of experience to navigate a rooftop safely, balance on a ladder 20ft in the air, and perform manual labor the whole time. Avoid potential injuries by leaving this project for professionals. It also can save you money! Improperly installed roofing can result in leaks and more expensive energy bills.

Tree Removal

While this may not have been something on your list, it's worth warning home improvement experts about the dangers of tree removal. Even for professionals, tree removal is a difficult task, and the implications of doing it improperly are huge. Removing a tree incorrectly can cause it to fall in the wrong direction. This will cause massive damage to your home, backyard, car, or anything remotely close to the tree.

Bio: Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beach goer who writes for a Custom Home Builder in Avalon.

Read More