The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
How to plan and budget DIY goals now
Did you find yourself cooped up during the pandemic-induced stay-at-home orders, blankly staring at the walls of your house, longing for more?
Maybe you wanted to travel or go out to dinner with friends. Or maybe you just wanted a fresh coat of paint on that wall.
If you found yourself in the latter camp, you had company: When the home improvement platform Houzz surveyed 1,000 homeowners who use the site in April, nearly 80% said they’re considering remodeling changes that would help them enjoy their houses more. And sales at Home Depot were up 7% in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, a possible sign that consumers were already spending more on home improvement materials.
Although now might seem like the perfect time for DIY home improvement, be sure to consider our new reality. Plan the project’s size, type and budget to fit current circumstances.
Plan your project
Whether it’s a wall in need of color or a drab backyard that could use some landscaping, start by knowing what you want to accomplish. Then, put together a plan.
When determining the project you’ll take on, think about what’s within your skill set and what you can accomplish during the upcoming months. For example, if you want to remodel your bathroom, put in some flower beds and redo the siding on your house, start with the flower beds since it’s easier and timely.
Some projects are better left for professionals or for a later date. You might decide to wait to renovate a bathroom when you’re holed up for the winter