Krazy Deal Daze

Thursday, December 2, 2021

What You Need to Think About Before Starting a DIY Project

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As someone who is money-savvy, you have learned that the cheapest way to get something done is to do it yourself. With videos online to show you how to do everything from laying a driveway to reupholstering a couch, you can complete more projects yourself than ever before. One major factor that can cause your DIY to fail, however, is to rush into it without careful research and planning. Here are some things to think about before you start your next project.

Take Some Time to Learn

While everyone likes to just get in there and start, patience is certainly a virtue when it comes to DIY projects. Every DIY project takes knowledge and skill, and if you don’t know how to do something, it isn’t likely to come naturally. You need to know the ins and outs of whatever it is you are trying to accomplish. Learn about the materials, watch demonstrations from experts, read step-by-step guides, and practice if possible. While you may believe that you can figure it out as you go and be tempted to skip this step, don’t! That is a great way to waste time and money, having to redo whatever you did wrong. First, take the time to learn!

Estimate Your Costs

There is nothing worse than starting on a project only to realize that it is going to cost more than you can afford. This is why it is critical to estimate costs before starting a project. The HFTB (Hope For The Best) method is not a very practical one and can lead to lost money as you start a project but are unable to finish it. Optimism is great, but when you are estimating how much a project is going to cost, you should be a realist. Think of every single item you will need to buy and price it. That is the only way you can really know if you can actually afford it.

Get the Right Equipment

It can be frustrating to have to delay the start of a project while you acquire the right equipment, but it will save you time in the long run. Having the proper tools makes a world of difference when it comes to how long it takes to finish a project. You can buy the tools you need, but for large items, it is a good idea to investigate renting them. It will be worth having the right equipment when you realize how much more efficiently you are able to perform the work.

Staying Safe

Whether you are working with power tools or climbing on the roof, safety is what matters most. Novices are the most likely people to be injured on a job, simply because they lack the correct safety equipment or knowledge they need to do a job correctly. As you do your research, be sure to watch out for potential hazards and learn how to protect yourself. Wearing protective eyewear, gloves, and shoes is paramount. Knowing how to operate power tools correctly is critical. And using extreme caution when climbing ladders and scaling rooftops is a matter of life or death. You should also properly dispose of any debris you produce. Worksite debris poses a variety of hazards. Self-dumping hoppers increase safety by removing debris from your worksite.

Enlist Helpers

Many projects will be very difficult or even unsafe to perform on your own. Think ahead to the help you will need and ask for help. Enlist neighbors, friends, or family, but be sure to ask them well in advance. They need time to plan, and it is inconsiderate to pop in on a neighbor to ask for their help right then and there. Think of any heavy lifting or two-person jobs you will need to do, and plan accordingly.

Take an Inventory of Your Needs

Before the day of your project, you will be far more efficient if you make a list of everything you will need. This includes all materials, as well as each tool. Strive to anticipate everything. It can be very frustrating to be forced to stop your work to make a store run. Once you have assessed your needs, you can take inventory of what you already have and what you will need to purchase. Do this well in advance, as some items may need to be special ordered.

Gather Your Materials

Before you begin working, grab everything you need and keep it in a convenient, centralized location. This will save you the hassle of making multiple trips around the house in search of the things you need as you work. Organizing it in a systematic way will also save time and energy. As you finish using a tool or material, put it back in its designated spot. An ordered workspace facilitates an ordered mind, and you will find that your project goes more smoothly.

Roll With the Punches

Once you have learned, planned, shopped, and gathered, it is time to get started. Your planning is sure to help your project go as well as possible, but nearly all DIY projects will face some setbacks. If you accept this as fact, then you will be able to roll with the punches when they come. If you expect perfection, you are likely to get discouraged and maybe even give up. Have a plan for how you will react when something doesn’t go as planned. This should include a willingness to try something another way, the determination to keep trying, and a healthy dose of ingenuity and resourcefulness. And this is where your optimism should shine!

Doing a project yourself is a great way to learn new skills, save money, and improve your self-esteem. It can be a real challenge, but few things are more satisfying than sticking something out and completing a difficult task. You will feel the joy of a job well done. If you follow these eight suggestions, there is little that can stop you from success. Soon, you might be the one creating the instructional videos!

Read this next: 4 Tips for Saving Money on Your Next Home Improvement

Thank you for stopping by and checking out our tips on What You Need to Think About Before Starting a DIY Project! Which tip was your favorite? What other tips would you suggest? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this post, we’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend or sharing it on Twitter and/or Facebook. Don't want to lose this? Pin it on Pinterest so you can get back to it later!

Have a great day!

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Tuesday, November 9, 2021

What to Buy to Create Your Perfect Patio

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The art of designing the perfect patio can be challenging at best and frustrating at worst. Finding stylish pieces that work for your style and your budget is a constant struggle that can leave you drained. But it doesn’t have to be so difficult for you to get the patio you deserve. When building a patio from the ground up, there are a few key things that you need to buy to make sure that you are getting the perfect patio.

Pavers

Don’t skimp on getting a nice paver to lay the groundwork for your patio. You can only build a patio that is as solid as its foundation. Unless you yourself are a professional paver, then don’t try to do this part yourself—there will be plenty of other steps along the way for you to get your hands in. Professional pavers can make sure that your patio starts off on the right foot. Paying professional pavers to get you started will pay off when you have your dream patio.

Plants

No patio is complete without a few beautiful plants and flowers to decorate. Why have an outdoor space if you are not going to decorate it with the best that nature has to offer? Buying plants is a great investment because if you take good care of them, they can stay healthy and bloom year after year. The decoration that keeps on giving! Get a good mix of evergreens, small trees, bushes, and flowers to give your space the look and feel of a garden. A patio that is lush, green, and vibrant is essential to cultivating the kind of space you want for your patio.

An Outside Table

A patio without a place to sit is simply wasted space. You want a table that can anchor your patio and make it a gathering space that people will gravitate towards. Go with something that has plenty of space for seating, is comfortable, and is still easy to clean. You will also want to make sure your table is designed to be left outside year-round. Consider your climate as well when choosing, and make sure that your table can withstand the stresses that your climate might place on your patio table. Refurbishing a used table can be a wonderful, cost-effective choice for an outdoor patio table, so feel free to get a little crafty when it comes to getting an outside table that will be a centerpiece for your patio.

New Seating

Your new patio table wouldn’t be complete without some brand new seating to go with it. When picking patio furniture, you have much the same limitations and concerns you have when selecting an outdoor table. You need to make sure you select a material that can hold the climate extremes that your area experiences. For instance, you should keep wood furniture out of the sun to prevent damage—so if you live in an area that gets sun 24/7, you may want to consider a different material. There are tons of great options out there that you can splurge on, so get creative and bring your patio seating to life with your own personal touch.

A Patio Safe Fire Pit

There is nothing quite like a homemade s’more on a summer or spring evening, or sipping a beer by the fire on a starry night with your family enjoying each other’s company. A fire pit is basically a patio essential that brings people together and provides warmth on cooler evenings. There are a lot of options for patio safe fire pits, but please, make sure that whatever you choose is truly patio safe! If you prefer burning real wood, or gas, either option is accessible. So go with what your heart desires and pick a style that fits with the vibe you are going for.

String Lights

String lights can take any patio and make it look like it came right out of a fairytale. And a very cost-effective choice as well! Hanging string lights over your patio can make nighttime activities all the more fun and easy by providing easy lighting that looks adorable too. There are a lot of options, just make sure you get a set that is considered outdoor use—if you try and leave outdoor lights hanging for too long they will get ruined and you’ll be right back to square one.

A Stylish Outdoor Rug

Rugs are a great way to give your space warmth, texture, patterns, and a little bit of comfort. And don’t think rugs are just for the indoors, adding an outdoor rug to your patio can make it feel like a little living room outside. Whatever you can do to make your patio space as usable as possible will help you use your patio a lot. And after all, what’s the point of having your dream patio if you aren’t going to use it often? Pick a rug that is soft and durable, and can hold up to the outside. There are a lot of amazing options that can fit any style.

An Outdoor Speaker System

Music is always a great addition to any space or gathering. The ambiance that you can create in your patio with the simple addition of the right music will blow your mind. You can go with a full on system installed by a pro (or install yourself if you're handy) or you could opt for a nice portable Bluetooth speaker that you can take with you anywhere. Whatever you choose, being able to play music on your patio will bring the good vibes outside with you and help you enjoy your perfect patio to its fullest.

Patio design can be fun, creative, and engaging, even if it can also be a headache at times. If you buy these eight items, you’ll be sure that your home patio space is going to be a favorite for friends and family. So snuggle up by your fire pit, grab a few blankets, turn on your string lights and let the good vibes roll on!

Read this next: Handy Tips on Interior Design that Won’t Break the Bank

Thank you for stopping by and checking out What to Buy to Create Your Perfect Patio! What Create Your Perfect Patio idea was your favorite? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this post, we’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend or sharing it on Twitter and/or Facebook. Don't want to lose this? Pin it on Pinterest so you can get back to it later!