DIY can be fantastic. It’s your chance to get the home of your dreams without having to spend a fortune on contractors or workers. Tackling some of the bigger jobs at home for yourself is exciting and adventurous. It’s challenging, and getting stuck in gives you the chance to get things done your way while managing your budget and having some fun.

It can also be stressful. Even experienced tradespeople can suddenly get stressed out when it comes to working on their own home. There’s so much to think about. Your house is a mess, you’ve got to manage a budget and work to a timeframe. Things go wrong and tempers flare. The closest and most in tune of couples can find themselves fighting when it comes to erecting some flatpack furniture or re-wallpapering a room. So, how do you cope with DIY without getting stressed out? Here are some tips.

Use the Best Materials and Equipment

It can be tempting to cut corners and save as much as you can by buying cheap materials and equipment. Sometimes, this is a good idea, if you manage to get a great deal for quality supplies. But, budget supplies often mean budget quality. Which cause accidents, breakages and can lead to things going wrong. Increasing your stress levels along the way. If you want your DIY projects to go without a hitch use quality materials like those from George Hill Timber, which also offer a great price.

Make a Realistic Budget

One of the main reasons for stress when it comes to DIY and home improvements is budget. Many people fail to make one at all, and even those that do are often so unrealistic that it’s impossible to stick to and they soon find that they need to spend much more to get the job completed.

Take the time to make a realistic budget. Research materials, factor in supplies and anything else that you might need, and try to leave at least 10% free in case anything goes wrong.

Assign Jobs and Get Organised

Sometimes, working alone can be much less stressful. You can get your head down and get on with it without distraction or argument. You just need to plan your time well and try to stick to a schedule.

However, working with someone else can save time. As long as you carefully assign jobs, plan your days and lay down some ground rules.

Move Out

If you are taking on a big job, such as a total home renovation, or a new kitchen or bathroom, stress can be heightened because there’s no escape. You can’t switch off and relax at the end of the day. You can’t live normally. Everything is dusty and dirty, and you can’t find anything. If possible reduce this stress by moving out for the duration of the project.

Take Time Off Work

Taking time off work can also make things much easier. You won’t have to work on evenings and at weekends. You’ll be able to spend quality time on your DIY projects, finishing up much faster.

*This is a collaborative post*