6 homestyle
DIY
don'ts!
M
AKING DIY mistakes can
be infuriating � and costly.
Learn from these Top Ten
DIY mistakes.
1. Not obtaining the appropriate
planning permission: Build
something without planning
permission and, in the worst
scenario, the planning authorities
will make you pull it right back down
again.
Copeland Council says: "Under the
Town and Country Planning
legislation, any proposed work or
scheme to be undertaken that is
covered by the following definition of
development, will require Planning
Permission: Any building,
engineering, mining or other
operations in, on or under land, or
the making of any material change in
the use of an building or other land."
And if you're not sure your DIY
project falls into those categories,
check with the council before you
start. Remember, it's not just the big
project. In some instances you need
planning permission even if you are
only putting up a satellite dish.
To find out whether your
particular proposal requires
permission you should complete a
Householder Development Enquiry
Form which can be found on the
Copeland Council website
2. Starting a job without the
necessary tools or supplies: It's no
good having your shelving or
cupboard half-erected and then
finding out you don't have right tool
to finish the job � particularly if it's
now midnight and the store is closed.
Plan in advance and list precisely
what materials and tools you need.
3. Inadequate preparation: If
you're having supplies delivered,
when will they be delivered and
where will they be stored? Will they
fit through your front door or will
you have to store them on your front
lawn? You'll need to think about
security and what you're going to
cover the materials with if it rains.
4. Skimping on materials: Cheap
materials show up. You are likely to
stay in your house for many years so
it's worth using quality material. If
it's built to last, it will be an
investment, adding value to your
house.
5. Using the wrong paint: This is
one of the big mistakes made by
many DIY enthusiasts and can have
disastrous results. Talk to the experts
at the store first and let them guide
you through the complex maze of
different types of paints.
6. Improper preparation of walls
for painting: People can be so keen
to start that they don't do the boring
prepartion work first. But it's not use
putting good quality paint or
wallpaper on poor walls. In fact, it's
probably better advice to spend longer
preparing sturdy, smooth walls than
you spend putting paint on!
7. Be safe: The casualty
departments of our hospitals are full
of people who slipped, fell or
otherwise injured themselves doing
DIY. Treat your DIY at home as you
would if you were working on a
proper industrial site. Don't work in
slippers, always use an RCD (residual
current device), keep children and
pets away, make sure ladders are
secure. If in doubt, stop and seek
extra assistance.
8. How long? Successful DIYers
live by this rule: Measure twice, cut
once. It's so important for things like
building walls, cutting wood and
many. If you're going to err, err on
the side of too long. You can always
make something shorter; you can't
make it longer
9. Working beyond your limits:
Don't stand on the top steps of
ladders, and don't try to work beyond
your reach.
10. If in doubt, stop: If you have a
saw in your hand and have a question
about what you're doing. You may do
irreparable damage for the sake of
waiting until you have consulted an
expert or thought more carefully
about what you are doing.
DON'T START YET: Think before you start slapping on paint!
STEADY AS YOU GO: DIY mistakes can be costly or even dangerous

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