DIY is one of Australia’s favourite pastimes. Many of us are working from home, looking at the jobs to be done, and checking out the world of YouTube DIY tutorials. While some DIY projects are successful, many are not. As a result, our Hubbies are often called upon to fix up failed or unfinished DIY projects.
If your main motivation on DIY is to save money, you should ask yourself : do you have the required skillset; do you have enough time to complete the project; and will the quality of your finished project meet your expectations and standards? By applying this logic (and unless you’re a pro), you should be calling Hire A Hubby to take care of the job for you.
The following is a brief overview of DIY projects that regularly end up in the “DIY Failures/Disasters/Bloopers” basket.
1. Painting Pitfalls
Painting is one of the more common areas people will tend to try and undertake themselves. However, before you paint, you should inspect and prepare the area to avoid any moisture, blistering, chalking of paint, or worse still – efflorescence. The durability of paint depends on the surface preparation, which should be smooth, clean and free of dirt. You may need to patch or plaster the area, which leads to further complications with sanding to a smooth and ready to paint finish.
Consider if you are using the correct paint under climate conditions? Then there is the application of paint, which can involve many coats in concealing brush or roller marks and the cutting in. Matt, satin, eggshell to gloss – you can buy paint in all types and colours. Just make sure you paint with the right finish. So many people make the mistake of painting with the wrong finishes. For instance, painting a bathroom in matt paint can lead to it running down the walls within minutes of the shower going on! There is also a high risk of paint spillages. Use drop sheets and have door handles, light switches and skirting boards taped up (painter’s tape).
Ceilings come with their own set of problems. From paint dripping, roller marks, and hard to reach corners and awkward spaces – are you prepared to safely climb that ladder? *Between 2017 and 2018, 42% of hospitalised injury cases and 40% of injury deaths were due to falls. (*The Australian Government and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.)
HIRE A HUBBY CAN TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR PAINTING NEEDS. FROM PREPARATION TO PAINTING, AND CLEANING UP AFTERWARDS, WE’LL DO IT PROPERLY AND PROFESSIONALLY THE FIRST TIME – NO ACCIDENTS – NO MESS – NO PAINT PITFALLS!
2. Door Disasters
Have you checked how your doors open and close, and is there enough space (above, below and on the side)? Proper door installation (and maintenance) is often taken for granted and overlooked. Door problems are a common occurrence, but luckily they can be fixed relatively quickly.
Unforeseen issues are usually caused by:
- Misalignment – usually due to a door hinge or uneven level
- Loose door trims
- Plum issues – door opening and closing under its own weight
- Dragging – too close to the floor
- Hanging – placing the door upside down – YES, it happens!
Other things to take into consideration are that doors also come in different sizes and some require the legal requirement of being a fire door.
DON’T LEAVE THAT DOOR DISASTER HANGING AROUND – HIRE A HUBBY ARE ON CALL AND WILL ENSURE YOUR DOORS ARE INSTALLED CORRECTLY AS ALL DOORS SHOULD BE.Â
3. Decking Defeats
Expanding your outdoor living space or looking to add value to your home? Before you even consider building yourself a deck you may need to get approval from your local council. All councils come with their own set of regulations on decks including what materials you can use to minimum construction standards that must be met.
Other common problems with constructing decks include:
- Warped or misaligned boards
- Sagging decks
- Subsidence – usually from poor concrete foundations
- Drainage issues
- Using the wrong nails and bolts –Â nails, screws and bolts should be Galvanised
Other things to take into consideration include using the right materials – Timber decking is a popular choice, but it is susceptible to the elements. This means your deck may need re-oiling or other treatment several times a year to protect and maintain it in the long term.
DON’T DEFECT FROM DECKING DEFEATS, HIRE A HUBBY ARE CHAMPIONS OF DIY AND CAN BUILD YOU YOUR DREAM DECK WITHOUT DELAY
4. Fence Failures
There are a lot of Australian fencing rules standards that your fence needs to adhere to. From dividing fences and pool fences to material standards and regulations. Without proper research, you’ll be embarking on a journey of disaster, expense and time consumption.
You’ll need to locate any unmarked or buried utility lines to avoid damaging them later when anchoring posts. You should consult with local authorities and understand your boundaries. You don’t want to cause World War 3 with your neighbours over boundary issues. You could also face fines for using the wrong materials, for example, some materials aren’t permitted under heritage laws. It’s important to check with your local council or otherwise seek the professional services of Hire A Hubby.
Common issues with fencing include:
- Damaging utility lines – digging in the wrong places to anchor posts
- Wrong depth of anchor postsÂ
- Forgetting to put in a gate
- Building a fence too high
- Erecting the fence on the neighbouring property
HIRE A HUBBY CAN ASSIST IN ALL YOUR FENCING REQUIREMENTS. FROM BOUNDARY, NOISE REDUCTION FENCING, GATES, REPAIRS TO COLOURBOND FENCES. WE’VE GOT IT COVERED!
5. Flatpack Furniture Fatigue
Flatpack furniture – the bane of many lives. It may look easy, but for some, it can be a challenge too far. Screws left over or in some cases unaccountable for. Instructions with overly optimistic diagrams which are comparable to reading sandscript. With varying degrees of success, the results can range from upside-down chairs, units with misaligned drawers to ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa’ style wardrobes.
Many relationships have succumbed to the building of Ikea furniture. The only thing really missing is an emotional torture rating, so you can at least be prepared for the horrors you are about to unleash.
If you ever get as far as building a piece of furniture, you start to feel it deserves its own page on Instagram or TikTok.
SAVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND LET HIRE A HUBBY TAKE CARE OF YOUR FLATPACK ASSEMBLY FOR YOU. NO DRAMAS – NO FUSS!
Avoid DIY Failures with Hire A Hubby
Hire A Hubby is your go-to for anything property maintenance-related. No matter how big or small your job is, we’ll deliver the highest quality results so you can maximise the value of your home and achieve a quick sale. You can rest assured that your property is in the very best of hands and that we’ll strive to help you get the best price for your home. Give Hire A Hubby a call today – 1800 803 339.
