When my spouse and I purchased our first home in a foreclosure, we quickly realized that many repairs were needed. From removing asbestos to restoring wooden floors, fixing locks, replacing electrical outlets, and painting, we had our work cut out for us. This experience made me realize that I could do home improvements with the right training. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to get advice and training for DIY home repairs.
To start, there are many forums, websites, and online blogs available to help you with your DIY project. One of my favorites is DIYornot, which helps you decide whether to do it yourself or not depending on the difficulty and costs of the project. Additionally, following personal blogs from people with similar living styles to yours is another great online source for tips, photos, and ideas. Modifications such as converting the bathtub into a shower, installing grab bars, ramps, and floor repair can help disabled homeowners stay in their homes longer.
What I do is observe in great detail every time a professional comes to my house to repair something. This has been a great way to learn about home repairs. Additionally, many home improvement stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards offer free classes that provide basic information on various projects. Project Houseworks serves elderly and low-income homeowners in and around Omaha by providing free home repairs and modifications.
The Internet offers a wealth of information on DIY home repairs. However, books are still the best non-practical source of practical knowledge about self-made home repairs. Additionally, local hardware stores can provide valuable insight into the challenges of repairing homes posed by old bungalows made by artisans. Finally, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity or a similar program is one of the best ways to get trained in building and repairing homes.
You can feel strengthened by the confidence you gain by relying on your own abilities to learn and make basic home improvements and repairs.
