Plan, buy, finish
Home projects you can plan, finish and afford
Research-based DIY guides plus a project planner, paint and board calculators and a safety checklist, for beginners and renters.
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From a first project to the final coat of paint.
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A few hoursVariesDIY for Beginners: How to Start Without Overreaching
30 to 60 minutes to planFreeHow to Plan a DIY Project: Steps, Budget and Timeline
20 minutes to planFreeIs Your DIY Project Too Big for a Weekend? How to Tell
Buy over a few projectsVariesBasic DIY Tool Kit: What You Actually Need
A weekendVariesHow to Paint a Room: Prep, Cutting In and Rolling
A few hours to a weekendVariesSmall Home Projects With the Best Payoff for Your Effort
An afternoon per projectVariesRenter-Friendly DIY Projects That Protect Your Deposit
20 minutes to decideVariesDIY Tools: What to Buy Cheap and What to Spend On
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Project Planning · FreeIs Your DIY Project Too Big for a Weekend? How to Tell
Small Home Projects · VariesRenter-Friendly DIY Projects That Protect Your Deposit
Tools & Materials · VariesDIY Tools: What to Buy Cheap and What to Spend On
Painting & Finishes · VariesStreaky or Patchy Paint: Causes and How to Fix It
Painting & Finishes · VariesHow to Paint a Room: Prep, Cutting In and Rolling
Project Planning · FreeHow to Plan a DIY Project: Steps, Budget and Timeline
DIY Basics · VariesDIY for Beginners: How to Start Without Overreaching
Small Home Projects · VariesSmall Home Projects With the Best Payoff for Your Effort
Tools & Materials · VariesBasic DIY Tool Kit: What You Actually Need
Tools you can use today
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DIY Project Planner (Budget and Time Buffer)Add up materials, tools and paid help, add a budget buffer and a time buffer, and see the planned cost, hours and work sessions for a DIY project.Paint Quantity Calculator (Gallons for a Room)Estimate the gallons or quarts of paint a room needs from its size, doors, windows and coats, with the formula shown and the limits explained.Cut List and Board Estimator (How Many Boards to Buy)List the pieces you need to cut and get the number of boards to buy, with saw kerf, a layout for each board, leftover length and an optional spare board.DIY Tool and Safety Checklist (Printable, Before You Start)A printable checklist to run before any DIY job: scope, tools, protective gear, old paint and lead, power and water, ladders, and when to hire a pro.DIY tool buying guide: buy, rent or borrow by projectChoose DIY tools by type and project risk: hand tools, drills, saws, sanders, ladders and rentals, with typical prices and when to rent or borrow.
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