Picking up the paintbrush can be a little daunting if you are a DIY newbie but want to try your hand at your own home improvements. Doing your own DIY can save you the expense of getting in a professional, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can cost you dear in the long run.

But with a little know-how, you can avoid some of the most common beginner mistakes and make your venture into the world of home DIY a successful one. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the best tips for new DIYers.

Invest in the right tools

A bad DIYer will blame his tools, so don’t fall into this trap and get the right basic tool kit from the get-go. This doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune as most of the key tools are inexpensive to pick up or order then online from ADA Fastfix.

As a guide, the basic DIYer will need the basic paint set (brushes, tray, roller) claw hammer, an adjustable wrench or spanner, a set of screwdrivers, pliers, a tape measure, a level and a multi-purpose utility knife. A quality drill with its associated drill bits is also a good investment.

Walk before you can run

It may be tempting to go big with your home improvement ambitions but if you’re new to DIY, or your experience is limited, start with smaller projects first to test out and hone your DIY skills.

It may seem basic, but painting or sanding woodwork still needs planning and a skilful execution and completing a simpler job well will give you the confidence to learn more. And taking it easy at first will enable you to build up the basic DIY skills you need to move onto larger or more complex jobs.

Do your research

The Internet is an endless resource when it comes to learning new skills and understanding the basics of DIY.  So, if you’re planning a project where you need new DIY skills or want to improve on what you already know, go online first.

There’s a wealth of DIY tutorials and skills videos on channels such as YouTube you can watch.  And being able to watch a step-by-step guide to a particular DIY task – cutting in when painting, for example - is invaluable to your project preparation.

Finish what you start

There’s nothing more confidence-boosting when it comes to DIY than a completed job, well done. So, to keep you motivated, do one project at a time and make sure you finish what you started. And that includes the snag list, as well as removing masking tape, paint spills and dust sheets, so you can move on to the next job, with nothing to hold you back.

Be DIY safe

As a new DIYer, it can be tempting to be a little ‘gung-ho’ but with the basics of DIY safety you can keep you and anyone around you safe and ready for the next DIY job. Go online to brush up on DIY safety and always use protective equipment where necessary.

Ask for help

And finally, the key to being a successful DIYer is to know which jobs you can do, and which ones you need to pass on to a professional. Some jobs, say plastering, you may need training for while any plumbing or electrical jobs need to be done by someone who is qualified and knows exactly what they are doing. And having an expert in your home means you could also learn a few more tips and skills along the way.