Starting a brand-new home project can be one of the most exciting things about being a homeowner. Working with your hands is engaging and rewarding, and it gives you the opportunity to improve the quality of your home. You want to work on projects that enhance your home, help improve your mental health, and make the house feel more like a proper home.
However, there are several things to consider before beginning a mobile home DIY project that might make the whole experience easier for you in the long run. Consider these tips before you pick up a tool or go shopping for materials.
General Timeframe
Time is one of the most important factors to consider when you're planning a project. Whether you’re taking on a task that you're confident you can finish in a single afternoon or a large-scale renovation that may take several days, you're doing yourself a favor by creating a timeline. For example, swapping out your toilet may not take that long, but if redoing your entire bathroom is going to take a few days, you may need to work in a way that prioritizes being able to use your new toilet or having a backup plan.
If you expect a project to last a long time, you may find it more manageable to make miniature timelines focusing on smaller, individual tasks. Having a rough idea of when different steps in the process should be completed helps keep you on schedule and creates a helpful timeline to consult if you’re wondering where you need to aim your focus during a larger-scale project.
Overall Budget
One of the biggest things to consider before beginning a mobile home DIY project is what sort of budget you have for such an undertaking. Many people create a budget only for materials but then find themselves spending far more money than they initially expected. It helps to consider every possible factor that may cost money when you’re putting together a large-scale project. Materials are one of the biggest expenses, but do you have room in the budget for extra materials in the event that some get lost or damaged? If you discover that the shade of paint you picked clashes with your original idea, does your budget allow you to buy a different color?
Apart from materials, you may also need to make room in the budget for tools. You may already have some of the necessary tools in your garage, but it’s still beneficial to have an idea of what certain things cost to repair or replace in case something goes wrong. If you need extra screws or fasteners, planning for that in your budget can save you a lot of hassle.
Some of the other expenses that people may not consider when planning their projects are the cost of labor or the cost of applying for special permits, which may be necessary depending on the nature of your project. If you wind up under budget, that's wonderful! However, going over budget may delay or even derail your entire project, which wouldn't be good after you've already put in so much time.
Sets of Hands
An advantage of a DIY project is that you can often save some time, hassle, and money by taking on a project yourself instead of hiring a contractor. You can find helpful guides or videos on the internet for most types of projects if you need help figuring out where to start. If you have the knowledge and tools for the job, doing it yourself is a fantastic and rewarding experience.
However, no matter how much knowledge you have, some jobs may require an additional set of hands. You won't do yourself any favors by attempting to lift too much on your own, and you may make a mistake if you're trying to fasten something while balancing it with one hand. DIY may stand for "do it yourself," but it doesn't mean that you have to do everything by yourself. Even if you don't want to hire a contractor, asking a friend or family member to hold the ladder steady or help check your measurements can make your project much less hectic. If you need to bring in some help, a cool drink and a hot pizza are always good motivators.
Sorting the Paperwork
One of the most frustrating things to encounter during any project is having to put a stop to it because you don't have the proper forms or your property isn't cleared for what you plan on building. A large part of preparing for any project is ensuring you're able to move forward without problems. You may run into different rules and regulations depending on your state, county, or the individual rules of your mobile home park.
Whether you need to get permission from the main office building of your park or head down to city hall to fill out the paperwork, doing so is worth the effort. Depending on where you live, you may discover that your project isn't feasible. Even in that situation, the person in charge may offer alternative solutions or ways that you can complete your project while still following proper guidelines. Failing to get all your permits and permissions in order before beginning your project may result in hefty fines and the unfortunate side-effect of needing to dismantle a half-finished project.
Safety First
You made your budget, you've got all the paperwork, and you have a rough idea of how long your project should take. The final step before starting your DIY project is to ensure you follow all safety standards. You want to ensure everyone on site has a pair of safety goggles. Wear the proper footwear and take precautions to use any power tools properly. Safety is everyone's responsibility, and no project is worth injuring yourself or those around you.
When starting your next project, reach out to Mobile Home Outfitters. We have all the parts and materials you need to get started. We have a wide range of mobile home windows and helpful blogs to guide you through some of the most-asked questions about mobile home repairs and renovations. If you have any additional questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us, and a helpful member of our team will be happy to guide you to the start of your next big project.
