I approach this issue with caution. To state the obvious enough DIYers will put me out of business. That said I have always been a fan, more often than not to my wife’s dismay, of going it alone until it is absolutely necessary to employ a professional. Nowadays more than ever it is easy to hop down to Home Depot or Lowes and pick up almost any tool. If you want to support local business you can always go to one of Portland’s many lumber yards for siding, trim, decking and a slue of other various materials. I once went so far as to have metal straps specially formed in order to anchor a deteriorating fence which I ended up replacing.
So with all that in mind, if you’re going to do it yourself you may as well do it right. The first construction job I had in Portland, I learned a golden rule that has followed me since, before you do anything watch three different YouTube videos. Especially when it comes to the small stuff. There are dozens of ways to change a door, fix a faucet and or change out an appliance.
Another important tip; if you hit a snag, stop! Reevaluate you’re knowledge and ability to handle this next step. More often than not we find ourselves making up ludicrous solutions under pressure to finish. It’s ok not to know and you’ll appreciate admitting that in the long run.
Consult a third party. When we get into something we often tend to base our course of action on one or to basic assumptions and assumptions are just that. Consult a professional run it by a spouse or partener. 9 time out of 10 you thank them for their perspective.
Safety First! No matter what it is your doing remember, it’s not worth the aches and pains that follow a construction debacle, and that’s the best case scenario, if your fixing a roof, wear a harness. If your using power tools make sure to read the manual. Never underestimate how easy it is to get seriously injured due to lack of concentration.
In conclusion DIY is a great way to get things done. Just remember if you’re gonna do it, do it right the first time.