A Girl's Basic Guide to Home Improvement
A Girl's Basic Guide to Home Improvement
Waiting around for Prince Charming is bad enough, not to mention waiting around for Prince Charming to fix that toilet leak.
Here are a few tips on how to compile the necessary tools to be an independent "grr" girl and tackle (almost) any household improvement task:
Compile the Basics: Have you ever tried to use the stiletto heel of a boot to try and put a nail in the wall? Take it from someone who has, not too effective! Thus, it is essential to own a basic toolkit. This can be compiled a la carte, or purchased in one set at your local home improvement store. Be sure to include essentials such as a hammer, wrench, pliers, flashlight and several sizes of screwdrivers. A slightly more costly essential is a small cordless drill, but it can be a lifesaver in a pinch.
Know Where Your Utility Shut Offs Are: Before beginning a household project, it is vital to shut off the utility with which you will be working. Electric shut offs can be in or outside the home, and are generally enclosed in a big grey panel. Water shut offs are generally near the point of the pipe to the home or apartment. (If an apartment, be sure to ask your complex. They should be able to advise you as to where the shut off for your particular apartment is.)
Meet Mr. Right: No, not THAT Mr. Right. What I mean, is a handy helper at your local home improvement store. Ask for their advice on how to tackle projects, and have them help you pick the right parts and tools. When doing a project yourself, they are the closest thing to having a professional assist you, and can be a real asset. And while you're there, you can always flirt with the hottie in aisle three.
Read Up: Don't just assume because you fixed the plug on your hairdryer, you are an electrical pro. Read up. Local bookstores and libraries have full sections on home improvement. Look online. There are several forums for "do it yourselfers" where you can pick up ideas and advice on how to start your household project.
Follow the Directions: Okay, so they may not be nearly as exciting as Cosmo magazine, but the directions are important. Always follow them to the letter! A new bookshelf may look nice, but spare parts and screws mean something went wrong. Terribly wrong. And when it falls apart in a week and a half, the loud noise will scare a cat to no end. (Again, take it from somebody who knows...)
Leave It to the Pros: If the household chore is a major process, leave it to someone who makes a living doing that task. There's no sense in rewiring your apartment if you don't know the difference between a dimmer switch and an amp. Call several different companies for quotes, and cross check their reputations with your local registrar of contractors. It may seem costly, but for the tougher jobs hiring out can turn out to be time and money saving in the long run. Botched jobs are far worse than the original problem.
While these basic tips don't cover everything you will encounter, they should at least get you started. Good luck!