It’s that time of year when thousands of Brits start tackling those DIY projects around the home. From small jobs like paint touch-ups around the home to larger scale work including fitting new kitchens to full renovations. Many of us hate DIY, yet we still do it regardless. While some of these DIY projects are successful, many are not. As a result, our Hubbies are often called upon to fix up failed or unfinished DIY work.
If your main motivation on DIY is to save money, you should ask yourself : do you have the required skillset; do you have enough time to complete the project; and will the quality of your finished project meet your expectations and standards? By applying this logic (and unless you’re a pro), you should be calling Hire A Hubby to take care of the job for you.
The following is a brief overview of DIY projects that regularly end up in the “DIY Failures/Disasters/Bloopers” basket.
1. Painting Pitfalls
Painting is one of the more common areas people will tend to try and undertake themselves. However, before you paint, you should inspect and prepare the area to avoid any moisture, blistering, chalking of paint, or worse still – efflorescence. The durability of paint depends on the surface preparation, which should be smooth, clean and free of dirt. You may need to patch or plaster the area, which leads to further complications with sanding to a smooth and ready to paint finish.
Then there is the application of paint, which can involve many coats in concealing brush or roller marks and the cutting in. Matt, satin, eggshell to gloss – you can buy paint in all types and colours. Just make sure you paint with the right finish. So many people make the mistake of painting with the wrong finishes. For instance, painting a bathroom in matt paint can lead to it running down the walls within minutes of the shower going on! There is also a high risk of paint spillages. Use drop sheets and have door handles, light switches and skirting boards taped up (painter’s tape).
Ceilings come with their own set of problems. From paint dripping, roller marks, and hard to reach corners and awkward spaces – are you prepared to safely climb that ladder?
HIRE A HUBBY CAN TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR PAINTING NEEDS. FROM PREPARATION TO PAINTING, AND CLEANING UP AFTERWARDS, WE’LL DO IT PROPERLY AND PROFESSIONALLY THE FIRST TIME – NO ACCIDENTS – NO MESS – NO PAINT PITFALLS!
2. Door Disasters
Have you checked how your doors open and close, and is there enough space (above, below and on the side)? Proper door installation (and maintenance) is often taken for granted and overlooked. Door problems are a common occurrence, but luckily they can be fixed relatively quickly.
Unforeseen issues are usually caused by:
- Misalignment – usually due to a door hinge or uneven level
- Loose door trims
- Plum issues – door opening and closing under its own weight
- Dragging – too close to the floor
- Hanging – placing the door upside down – YES, it happens!
Other things to take into consideration are that doors also come in different sizes and some require the legal requirement of being a fire door.
DON’T LEAVE THAT DOOR DISASTER HANGING AROUND – HIRE A HUBBY ARE ON CALL AND WILL ENSURE YOUR DOORS ARE INSTALLED CORRECTLY AS ALL DOORS SHOULD BE.
3. Decking Defeats
Looking to expand your outdoor living space with a new deck this Spring? Be aware of the common dangers when undertaking the construction of a deck.
Common problems with constructing decks include:
- Warped or misaligned boards
- Sagging decks
- Subsidence – usually from poor concrete foundations
- Drainage issues
- Using the wrong nails and bolts – nails, screws and bolts should be Galvanised
Other things to take into consideration include using the right materials – Timber decking is a popular choice, but it is susceptible to the elements. This means your deck may need re-oiling or other treatment several times a year to protect and maintain it in the long term.
DON’T DEFECT FROM DECKING DEFEATS, HIRE A HUBBY ARE CHAMPIONS OF DIY AND CAN BUILD YOU YOUR DREAM DECK WITHOUT DELAY
4. Fence Failures
Adding a fence may transform your garden, but there are UK rules you need to follow for adding fencing to your property. For example, you can’t build a fence higher than one metre in height without planning permission when building next to a highway or a footpath. It is always best to contact your local planning office if you are unsure of any legal limitations.
You’ll need to locate any unmarked or buried utility lines to avoid damaging them later when anchoring posts. You should consult with local authorities and understand your boundaries. You don’t want to cause World War 3 with your neighbours over boundary issues. It’s important to check with your local council or otherwise seek the professional services of Hire A Hubby.
Common issues with fencing include:
- Damaging utility lines – digging in the wrong places to anchor posts
- Wrong depth of anchor posts
- Forgetting to put in a gate
- Building a fence too high
- Erecting the fence on the neighbouring property
HIRE A HUBBY CAN ASSIST IN ALL YOUR FENCING REQUIREMENTS. FROM BOUNDARY, NOISE REDUCTION FENCING, GATES, AND REPAIRS. WE’VE GOT IT COVERED!
5. Flatpack Furniture Fatigue
Flatpack furniture – the bane of many lives. It may look easy, but for some, it can be a challenge too far. Screws left over or in some cases unaccountable for. Instructions with overly optimistic diagrams which are comparable to reading sandscript. With varying degrees of success, the results can range from upside-down chairs, units with misaligned drawers to ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa’ style wardrobes.
Many relationships have succumbed to the building of IKEA furniture. The only thing really missing is an emotional torture rating, so you can at least be prepared for the horrors you are about to unleash.
If you ever get as far as building a piece of furniture, you start to feel it deserves its own page on Instagram or TikTok.
SAVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND LET HIRE A HUBBY TAKE CARE OF YOUR FLATPACK ASSEMBLY FOR YOU. NO DRAMAS – NO FUSS!
Avoid DIY Disasters with Hire A Hubby
Hire A Hubby is your go-to for anything property maintenance-related. No matter how big or small your job is, we’ll deliver the highest quality results so you can maximise the value of your home and achieve a quick sale. You can rest assured that your property is in the very best of hands and that we’ll strive to help you get the best price for your home. Give Hire A Hubby a call today!
