Getting started with DIY

All About You online 07.10.2008

It's easy when you know how

Woman with drill Think a screwdriver is something you drink? Find it easier to select a Grand National winner than pick out the right power tool? You're not alone! Many of us get to middle-age (and beyond!) without having the first clue about DIY, but it's time for all that to change...

Arming yourself with a few basic DIY skills makes sense for a number of reasons - not least because it'll save you money during the current credit crunch. Around 47% of women fear being ripped off by cowboy builders, according to recent research by www.mydeco.com - but if you learn how to do those pesky little jobs yourself, you may never need to make a mug of builder's tea again!

Get tooled up
First things first: you need to arm yourself with a basic tool kit. 'You'd be surprised at how many household tasks can be completed using just a few simple tools,' says Gary Hadden, assistant buyer for hand tools at B&Q.

Gary's list of DIY must-haves includes: a retractable tape measure; a handsaw (for cutting through wood); an adjustable spanner; a craft knife; a spirit level; a hacksaw (for cutting through metal); a claw hammer (primarily for knocking in, and removing, nails); a screwdriver; a variety of screws, nails and wall plugs; a file; a bradawl (to make holes in wood); and a basic mains drill.

Know the drill
Using power tools can seem a little daunting - but using a basic drill can make tiny jobs such as putting up shelves so much easier. James Hickman, managing director of www.toolbox.co.uk, offers these three tips:

Are you going to drill into brick? If so, you'll need a hammer drill. But if you're just drilling into plaster board and carrying out little jobs around the home, a standard drill will be fine. Try the Silverline 10mm Drill Driver, £22.97, available from www.toolbox.co.uk

How much are you going to use it? If you don't need it for a big project, a cheap drill will be sufficient as battery power isn't of high importance. Think about weight and size, too: if you're using a drill all day, it can get very heavy!

If you're using a drill for the first time, practise on an old brick or scrap of wood first: you can obtain free scraps in most DIY stores.

How to put up a shelf
Don't keep nagging your dad or Him Indoors! B&Q general manager Lucie Cook explains how to put up a fixed shelf:

Check the area is free from hidden pipes or cables. Hold the shelf against the wall and mark where you want the bottom to go. Then mark where the first bracket should be, as well as the distance to the next bracket. Check the marks are level with a spirit level.

Hold the first bracket up to the mark, checking it's vertical, then mark the wall through the fixing holes. Repeat with the second. If there are more than two brackets, fit them between the outer brackets, equal distances apart.

Drill into the wall. Insert wall plugs if you have a masonry wall, and screw the brackets in place.

Lay the shelf across, and make a mark through the holes in the brackets for the fixing screws underneath it: these fix the shelf to the bracket. Take the shelf down and drill pilot holes for the fixing screws, but be sure not to go right through the shelf. Replace the shelf and screw in the fixing screws. And that's it!

How to fit a roller blind
This is another little job we tend to shy away from - but doing it yourself couldn't be simpler. Follow Lucie Cook's step-by-step instructions:

Remember to leave a little space on either side of the blinds so they can operate smoothly.

Measure the width required, if the blind isn't made to fit. Mark the positions for the brackets in the corner of the window. Fit the bracket for the blind control on the side from which you want to operate the blind. You can use a bradawl to make starting holes, then drill and plug the wall, and screw the brackets into place. Remember to check they are level.

Fit the side control into the end of the blind, and fit the dummy pin into the other end. Push it into place by pressing it against a hard surface or tapping it gently with a hammer. Finally, slot the blind into the fixing brackets and ensure the cords are hanging downwards.

Get some expert help
If you've spent most of your life shying away from DIY, you're not suddenly going to turn into a home improvement queen without a little help. Here are three ways to boost your skills:

Enrol on a DIY course. Most local authorities run basic DIY evening classes - so get in touch with your nearest adult education college to find a suitable class near you. Alternatively, check out the two-day intensive women's DIY courses at www.tradeskills4u.co.uk.

Read up on the basics. It's worth investing in a good, cover-all home improvements guide such as Reader's Digest DIY Manual (Reader's Digest, £19.99) or You Can Do It (Thames & Hudson, £16.98).

Get top tips online. Several DIY stores' websites offer step-by-step information on common DIY projects. Try www.homebase.co.uk or www.diy.com or for tips on how to do everything from painting a ceiling to laying a laminate floor.

Feature by Jane Murphy