12 Mistakes New DIYers Make That Are Costly to Fix

This post may contain affiliate links.

A DIY project can be both exciting and nervous. You have the idea of the end product, and you want to be able to say you built it with your own hands. Any seasoned DIYer will tell you, however, that the road to a finished project can be paved with mistakes, particularly for beginners. Small oversights can quickly snowball, and it doesn’t just cost time, it can take a serious dent out of your budget.

There’s no need for rookie errors to become a DIY disaster. By learning from the experiences of others you can avoid the frustrating setbacks and get the most out of your projects without feeling like you’re over your head.

Lack of Planning the Project Thoroughly

New DIYers make one of the biggest missteps by diving in without a solid plan. When inspiration strikes, we tend to want to start right away. However, without a clear roadmap for your project, you may make hasty decisions, make wrong measurements and miss steps. So, map out each and every thing, from tools used to step by step process. Planning might seem like it slows you down, but it actually saves you from expensive do overs and frustration later down the line.

Skipping the Right Tools

The worst thing to happen to a project is to discover that you don’t have the right tool for the job. New DIYers sometimes feel they can get by with whatever’s in their toolbox, but using a wrench when you need a drill can result in sloppy work or damage your materials. Or if you’re not yet ready to invest, then rent what you need for the project. Without proper tools in your toolbox, any project is going to suffer.

Ignoring Safety Precautions

When your working on something as harmless as a bookshelf, it’s easy to forget safety basics. Even simple DIY tasks can end up causing injury if you’re not careful. According to Clearsurance, nearly 3% of all ER injuries was DIY related. Before you skip gloves, goggles, or a dust mask to save a few minutes, accidents can sideline your project and leave you with a hefty medical bill. Safety always comes first, and you’ll be able to enjoy your projects with all ten fingers and toes.

Underestimating the Cost

Woman Counting Money and Paying Bills with Sadness — Photo Credit: Karolina Kaboompics/Pexels

According to Bankrate, most DIY projects saves about 50-70% cost when compared to professional service. Now, a lot of new DIYers start projects because they think they’re going to save tons of money doing it themselves, but materials and tools can really start to add up. Without a known budget, you may end up cutting corners to stay within your original estimate, and you’ll likely see the end result suffering. Before you start, get a full picture of the cost. DIY is supposed to be about making good work, not skimping on pennies and sacrificing the product.

Taking on Too Much Too Soon

Great ambition is a good thing, but starting with a project that’s too complex can be discouraging. Often beginners will jump into large scale renovations or complicated builds that they don’t yet have the skills to do. Begin small to build your confidence, and your skill set. By working on manageable projects first, not only will you build your confidence, but costly mistakes when moving into more ambitious projects will be reduced.

Skipping the Prep Work

Prep work may seem like a tedious job, but it’s worth it for a nice finish. Not sanding, cleaning, and not applying primer will compromise the quality of your work and will produce problems later down the line. For instance, painting without primer may leave streaks and a patchy finish. Prep is the foundation, and if it’s shaky, everything you build on it will be shaky too.

Neglecting Measurements

Genius Measuring Hacks Every DIY Enthusiast Needs to Try! — Image Credit: RaquelRendo/Wikimedia Commons

There is a reason for the classic “measure twice, cut once”. Even minor inaccuracies can wreck an entire project, especially if you’re a new DIYer and take quick, rough measurements and hope for the best. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple frame or a complex shelving unit, precision is key. In this area a little extra care will prevent mismatched pieces, uneven lines and wasted materials.

Rushing Through Painting

Although painting might look easy, a smooth, professional finish doesn’t happen on its own. The drying time between coats is often skipped by new DIYers, who apply thick coats and then rush on to the next step, resulting in uneven textures, drips and peeling. Proper drying time between layers makes all the difference, and thin coats do all the trick. Don’t hurry, and you won’t end up with a finish that looks like it got slapped together.

Not Preparing for Cleanup

Common Household Products From Victorian England That Could Kill You — Image Credit: Olegdudko/123rf

No matter how small, DIY projects create mess. Sometimes newbies forget the cleanup part, only to be bombarded with a mess of things to clean up. With a solid cleanup plan, you know where you’ll be disposing of waste materials, so you can keep your space usable and safe. And if you know you have a cleanup strategy in place, you can work on the project itself, instead of worrying about the mess you’re making.

Not Accounting for Skill Level

Everyone starts somewhere, but it’s important to understand where you are in your abilities. Biting more than you can chew is a double whammy, both frustrating and expensive in the long run. There’s no shame in sticking to beginner friendly projects. The more experience you get, the more challenging builds you can work your way up to.

Cutting Corners With Materials

Ingenious DIY Inventions You Can Make at Home with Recycled Materials! — Image Credit: wiredsmart/ Pixabay

Cheap materials might be tempting, if you’re working with a tight budget. However, low quality supplies yield disappointing results, which makes the whole project seem flimsy and incomplete. Make sure to invest in good quality materials as your end product will thank you. Plus, better materials last longer, so you don’t have to spend money on repairs or replacements in the future.

Not Seeking Help When Needed

DIY doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself. Newbies rarely ask for help because they believe that everything should be done alone. However, there’s always a friend or family member out there that has experience and can help you out with insights, and even prevent mistakes you didn’t see coming. Pride is no excuse not to get an extra hand; two heads (and four hands) really can be better than one.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.