70 THE QUEENS COURIER • AT HOME • MAY 17, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
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4 ways to simplify your DIY projects and home improvements
Whether you’re working on a spring
home improvement project or a summer
task, this is the time of year when
you focus on improving your home both
inside and out. As you look for ways to
make your home even better, nothing
beats a good DIY project.
DIY home improvement projects are
popular each year, and they can be as big
or small, short or long and expensive or
inexpensive as you desire. Whether you
are an advanced builder or a novice home
improver, the options are wide open, but
remember the one thing every DIYer can
agree on: Eliminating unnecessary diffi -
culties and the chance of having to redo a
task is always a plus.
A recent Post-it Brand study conducted
by Wakefi eld Research found nearly
40 percent of workers have to redo a project
or task at least once a week specifi cally
because of poor communication. Even
professionals run into hurdles along the
way, but avoid situations such as this with
a few easy tips.
To make your next DIY project go as
smoothly as possible, here are four ways
you can iron out potential diffi culties
before they become a problem. Aft er all,
a smooth project isn’t just more fun and
rewarding, it saves you time.
• Capitalize on subject matter expertise.
A little experience goes a long way, and
you’ll understandably have an easier
time tackling a DIY project you’ve done
before. In many cases, however, this
isn’t possible, so look to your friends
and family to see if any of them have
ever completed a similar project. Ask
them your questions and learn from
their experiences and you’ll gain valuable
insight about what to do - and what
not to do - before your project even gets
started.
• Keep accurate, durable notes.
Th roughout the course of your project,
you’ll take notes regarding processes,
punch lists, measurements and the
materials you need. However, even a
slight miscommunication or lost note
can compromise the project, even for a
professional. Post-it Extreme Notes are
an innovative new product designed to
facilitate communication and ensure
important notes stick securely, whether
on a job site in construction, manufacturing
or foodservice or at home in
a freezer, garage, boiler room or bathroom.
Th ey stick to textured, rough
and curved surfaces, including those
involved in home improvement projects
such as raw wood, brick exteriors,
tile bathrooms, cement garages
and more. Made with ultra-strong
Dura-Hold Paper and Adhesive, Post-it
Extreme Notes withstand harsh conditions
indoors and outdoors, like moisture,
wind and extreme temperatures.
Th ese durable, water-resistant notes
help keep track of important information
to get the job done no matter what
the task is.
• Explore your options to fi nd the right
tool for the job. How many times have
you tried to tackle a DIY project with
the wrong tools simply because you
didn’t want to spend the money on the
right tool for a one-time use? If this has
ever happened to you, consider renting
the items you need instead of buying
them. Tools like paint sprayers, jackhammers
and brush cutters can all be
rented for a fraction of the price you
would pay to buy them, and doing so
ensures you have the right tool for the
job from the very beginning, allowing
your project to go more smoothly.
• Plan out as much as you can. Th e adage
of measure twice, cut once still holds
true for today’s DIY projects, and your
possibilities to “measure twice” are
magnifi ed thanks to modern technology.
If you’re planning to paint a room,
for example, many paint companies
off er a simulator where you can see
how the paint will look in a digital environment.
Th ere are also other virtual
tools to help you get accurate measurements,
test layouts and reduce mistakes
in your DIY projects. Once you’ve
found the answers you need, record
them on a durable note like Post-it
Extreme Notes and write down measurements,
jot down step-by-step directions
and map out furniture and paint
placement throughout the process.
Start planning your project today
Big or small, your project is as unique as
you - but it won’t be completed until you
start. Apply the tips above and your project
will be done before you know it.
Courtesy BPT