Planning your Project
In repair and renovation projects, as in life, proper planning is the key to success. Start with an easy project. Remember, you can do it, but you need to plan. If the problem or project isn’t urgent, take a few days to think it over. Discuss it with and involve other members of the household, you may need their help later on.

Begin by determining if the project is compatible with your knowledge, skills, the tools you have on hand and the cost to equip yourself with the tools the job demands. Major jobs like a roof replacement, electrical rewiring or major plumbing are beyond the scope of the back yard do-it-yourselfer and should only be performed by qualified people who offer both the expertise and guarantees that protect you from future problems. They also work in compliance with building codes.

That said, you can repair a leaky faucet. It’s simply a question of taking on a job that’s within your grasp. Make a list of all the jobs that need your attention and begin with the simplest. You’ll gain confidence in yourself and knowledge that you can carry on to the next one.

Here are a few tasks for beginners:

• Installing a floating floor. Perfect for basements, children’s rooms and high-traffic areas, the pieces snap together so don’t need nails or glue. The key here is taking good measurements and staying on line.

• Installing ceramic countertops, backsplashes, etc. Although in the beginning, a full floor might be beyond your reach, there are smaller decorating jobs that will beautify your space at a reasonable price. The hardest part is cutting the pieces, so try buying a few inexpensive pieces to use for practice. The cutting machines can be rented, often from the ceramics retailer.

• Restoring furniture, is labour intensive but inexpensive. If you have a good eye for these things, you can often pick up nice pieces at garage sales or in grandma’s attic.

• Repairing small appliances takes a bit more knowledge, but you may surprise yourself. For instance, carefully dismantling a hair dryer to clean the lint screen will often restore it to its brand new state.

• Painting is a job that gives an old room new life and is the basis for most decoration plans. To do the job successfully, you must take care of the basics, repairing holes, applying a primer coat and usually at least two finishing coats. When it comes to choosing the paint, go for a superior grade, as good quality paint is easier to apply and clean, is more scratch-resistant and lasts longer.

Getting the information
Once you’ve decided on a project, the first step is to arm yourself with information. This step is vital, as you must understand the steps and processes, evaluate your material and tools needs and determine what to expect at the end.

Fortunately, there’s a wealth of information out there:

• Most major newspapers have weekly "Home" sections that regularly cover topics ranging from heating systems to exterior siding to hardwood flooring. Also, check the magazine racks for periodicals that specialize in home decorating, repairs, carpentry, plumbing, etc.

• Your public library may carry book sets devoted to home repairs and renovations. These are usually divided by topic - kitchen, bathroom, electrical, plumbing, etc. -, and they take you through the entire process. The best ones include step-by-step information, illustrations and diagrams.

• Good hardware and construction material supply stores are staffed with people who have a vast knowledge and experience in all types of repairs and renovations. Not only will you go home with valuable information, you’re also likely to leave with the materials that you’ll need to complete the job.

• Most people can count on at least one "handy" friend, neighbour or relative. Take advantage of their experience or better yet, ask for a hand to get you started.

• Then there’s the Internet. A few key words in an effective search engine will usually produce the desired results. For example, on a popular search engine "Faucet repairs" produced 45,200 hits, "Repairing drywall" produced 105,000 and "Installing floating flooring" produced 145,000.

Drawing Up your Plan
Now’s the time to take measurements, draw a diagram to scale, compile a purchase list and prepare a budget. For big projects, such as Renovating the kitchen, Redoing the bathroom, Finishing the basement etc., you can find a Planning Guide that will guide you step by step, from taking the measurements to preparing a budget list. You can also have some jobs evaluated by an expert who will give you an idea of the comparative costs and help you decide whether it’s worth the time, money and effort to go ahead on your own. Factor in the necessity to purchase the tools you’ll need, but also consider the fact that you’ll now own these tools that may last a lifetime.

For example, if it’s a carpentry job like floor installation, you’ll need to determine the square footage of the floor area that you multiply by the price per square foot of the flooring you have chosen. Are you going to change the baseboards that go around the room? These are priced per linear foot so you’ll need to measure the room perimeter. Do you plan to insulate the floor for sound? If so, you’ll need to install acoustic soundproof sheeting, sold by the square foot, over the sub-floor. The floor and baseboards have to be cut to length, so you’ll need consider buying (or renting or borrowing) a power hand saw or better yet, a mitre saw. Small tools also come into play i.e. a hammer, tape measure, pry bar, staple gun, etc.

The goal is to avoid unpleasant surprises, so you must thoroughly analyze the job, prepare a detailed budget (try using the online material and cost calculators designed for this purpose) and shop around to get an idea of tool and materials prices.