DIY for Beginners: Kevin Gray Provides His Top Tips for At-Home Projects
Burlington, ON- There is something to be said about the connection we have with objects we build — Kevin Gray feels that there is no feeling of satisfaction when we buy a product in store. No matter your motivation for embarking on a DIY project, from skipping expensive alternatives to making someone else a gift, there are a few key things that all beginners should know. To go over everything you need to know before you embark on your first DIY project, we teamed up with Kevin Gray from Burlington, ON, a leader in the facilities management industry, but more importantly, a professional DIY enthusiast. Kevin Gray always finds himself a project to complete, and once he is done, he moves onto something else.
DIY is an acronym for “do it yourself”, and is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things without the direct aid of experts or professionals. Kevin Gray explains that the term “do it yourself” has been associated with consumers since at least 1912, primarily in the domain of home improvement or maintenance activities. Since 1912, the internet has made it very simple for anyone to learn any skill related to DIY. No matter what you are looking to work on, we guarantee you that there is a tutorial about it online.
Start Small
As a DIY beginner, Kevin Gray highly suggests starting small and working your way up. Choose small projects to learn a set of skills and then build on them as your become more confident. This is a lesson that Kevin learned early on. Changing a shower head, for example, opens you up to the absolute basics of plumbing, but is super easy to do. You can also consider refurnishing a small wooden object, which will give you the confidence to tackle much bigger and better things in the future.
Use Reference Photos
Before you head off to Home Hardware, Canadian Tire or your local Michael's Arts & Crafts, Kevin Gray highly suggests taking photographs of the item you want to restore or transform. He explains that using your cell phone to take photographs of the item before you head to the hardware store will be useful when asking an attendant for assistance and will also save you several trips if you get it right the first time.
Ask Questions
As a novice, it can be intimidating to walk into a hardware store with an idea in mind but no ideas on what equipment you might need to execute it. Kevin Gray suggests becoming comfortable with being a novice, and not being afraid to ask questions. Instead of walking into a hardware store worried about sounding unknowledgeable, ask professionals how to best approach the job and we guarantee you will maximize your successes this way. Professionals are there to help you, so take full advantage.
Invest in Quality Tools
If you have the resources and means to be able to embark on a DIY project, Kevin Gray explains that you may want to invest in good tools from the get-go. Investing in a good set of tools will not only make your job easier but will ensure longevity for your tools and projects. Tools like a hammer, a miter angle and a staple gun have multiple uses and owning items that will stand the test of time is the best option.
Start Early on in the Day
Lastly, you never want to start a project late in the day. This is true of any project you embark on. One of the reasons for this tactic is that if something happens to go wrong and you’re in need of hardware store, it may not be open at 9:00PM at night. This is especially true if you are taking on a massive project related to a vital room in your home — like the kitchen or bathroom!
No matter your skill level, Kevin Gray believes that with the right amount of time, dedication and focus, anyone can become a DIY master.
