DIY Home renovations? I want to renovate my home from new walls, flooring and landscaping. How do I learn?

Question

I want to learn how to do these things myself to save money and I know it can be done. I will leave the plumbing and electricity stuff to the professionals. But I want to learn how to put up dry wall, windows, and hardwood floors. Where do I find quality material such as granite, cabinets for less in my area
(washington, dc) Are there any professionals willing to walk my through the process?

Answer 1

I know many people that have made a good honest living in the construction field that pertain to the needs that you have. No individual will go out of his or her way to spill about how he/she has experienced life. What you can do is work for habitat for humanity. Then you might gain some basic experience. Oh and there is no better experience than renovating yourself on your own home. I am a painter and for years, I have learned about flooring, carpentry-rough and finish, electricity, plumbing on my house and others. The other people are correct, you can learn carpentry from a coop school.

Oh why granite, it chips. I am not sure granite is as high quality as you think it is. Cabinets-confusing to look for. There are many brands and low levels of high end makers. My advice is to ask a builder who buys cabinets.

If you meet one of them at a trade show then they might teach you a little. But most of it you learn by doing.

Answer 2

Very good! Doing these things yourself will save you money and you can things done just the way you want them. You will have to buy a few tools but that's a great investment because, owning your own home, you'll need them from time to time anyhow.

You are right to leave the electrical work to a pro. This work is dangerous and most likely needs a permit. Plumbing? Some of it needs a pro but much of it is in the DIY arena.

Check the source I have listed, it's pretty comprehensive. Look at the info on laminate flooring, it is easier to install than hardwood and easier to maintain. I just installed three rooms of it. Let me know of any specific questions you come up with! Good luck!

Answer 3

Good for you! Other answers here are correct...learning is a life long process and some jobs are best left to the pros. I never really learned much from TV programs, probably because I'm sitting on the couch eating cheese doodles watching somebody do something. Better to get outside with a book and get your hands dirty. The best advice I can give you is to start at your local library. It's free and you can check out books on everything from basic home maintenance to electrical, plumbing and woodworking.

That should provide you with a wealth of knowledge to get started. You will make mistakes along the way and you will learn from them.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

I find http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/ is an awesome site for doing your basic DIY.

Watching the TV show on a regular basis helps with a general understanding of all kinds of DIY. You may be surprised at what projects you might consider trying to do after you see how simple it can be!

Good luck.

Answer 6

SMILES... Walking you through the process might be a lifelong career; but I applaud your notion of DIY. I will say however; that not every DIY project SAVES money.

I have to say, with no offense your name fits where you live...:)

"Best" is relative in learning; as might be FAST. Certainly there are TV shows related; but are so often staged and edited/clipped, you might not get the full example in any lesson. Something I so often suggest here, which seems to NOT be something so many consider...WWW/Browser Box/Keywords...in any search.

There are trade schools you might explore.

So much of the process might also be Trial and Error; though that isn't a bargain way to proceed.

Where you find material is certainly part of the enjoyment of the process as well...Spend time in any exploration, which can be as enjoyable as any destination.

Books, and magazines specific to what you want to learn.

internships.

Network with everyone; either in the trades or those who have knowledge of decent trades people local to you.

Again, and with no offense; you narrowly define "professionals" in stating Plumbers and Electricians. Might you not assume that anyone in any trade for any length of time; with any high level of skill; could be as professional???

Finally, and again with no offense...QUALITY has no levels. Something IS or ISN'T

Steven Wolf
Serious about being casual/ As professional as I need to be.

Answer 7

Your enthusiasm is commendable; However some things are best left to a professional. I suggest that you put some effort into finding a reliable general contractor. You should find a contractor who will allow you to do some of the work yourself, within the limitations of your knowledge. This will give you a project which has specific goals, budgets, and finish dates, while giving you the DIY satisfaction you desire.

Answer 8

HGTV Is what I watch for good home improvement ideas. It's very informative if you watch the right shows, like Designed to sell, Design on a dime etc.

Answer 9

Yeah it starts slow with the shush and ends with needing a total demolition unless somewhere inbetween you find a solid foundation that worth saving. Life shouldn't be so hard.

Answer 10

go to the library first and then looking for all the books about construction that you can find.... then start the job, so some things
are easy other very hard so think first what things do you want to do and what not you can let that experts do the job that you can´t do and make the easy one for yourself ever the people with experience can do the best job. (don´t trow away lots of money for repairs)