Feeling hopeless at DIY (first attempts) - does it get better over time??

[Smyths]

I'm mid-20s and recently bought my first home - have always rented before then so I couldn't really do any home repairs etc.

I feel like any DIY attempt I try I end up messing it up - either because:

1. I don't know exactly what I need to do so miss steps
2. Too weak to move any large bits of furniture, nervous about standing on ladders beyond the first 2 steps)
3. Create a ton of mess
4. Output is low quality or messy looking
5. Everything needs a new/different tool so it becomes very expensive.

causing me to become very frustrated and upset.

Home buying is expensive so don't really have spare cash for builders etc and always had a passion for being self-sufficient and being able to do all this kinda stuff myself so I don't need to rely on builders and would feel a sense of accomplishment.

Did anyone else feel like this and then get better over time or are some people just natural at it?

I do have someone showing me certain bits but it's all new to me (even cleaning cupboards, etc. I'm not great at)

Of course no-one is born with the ability to do DIY.

Some people will have had the advantage of someone modelling stuff to them over 20 odd years, even if not been directly taught.
Some people will hav been specifically taught particular skills (in woodwork or DT or whatever phase it was going through at school) or through practical skills in their job.

Yes, some folk have a better 'eye' or a steadier hand, but most skills are learned over time.

When I bought my first home, my Dad gave be a brilliant manual from Readers Digest, which led you step by step through any job.
Nowadays I'm guessing there are tutorials on You Tube for any task you might ever need to do.
Yes, tools are expensive, but they are an investment. Or, if it is something you can't justify treating yourself too, then ask family and friends if you might borrow something. A lot of people will offer to give you a hand rather than risk their epensive tools being damaged
We all have to learn.
Nobody gets in a car and drives perfectly the first time, or picks up an instrument and plays to Grade 8 standard. You learn, step by step. In learning, you will make mistakes, but you'll laugh at them afterwards.

YouTube is your friend here. For every job, find three videos on YouTube and watch them all before you start doing anything. Work out your method and what you need. Preparation is absolutely key, if you skip for example filling and sanding or washing down the wall when decorating you will have lumps and bumps, so spend most of your time on that.

For tools, see if you can borrow them, or buy what you need and sell on once you are done using it to recoup some funds. Alternatively, we bought "bare tools" from Ryobi + a couple of rechargeable batteries - so we use the same rechargeable batteries for all of the tools, which cuts down on cost.

YouTube is definitely your friend here. And Wickes do lots of online guides & videos.

I think there are 2 key areas with DIY:

1). Prepare. Never start something without getting all the equipment you need and planning step by step exactly what you need to do. And don't try to cut corners.

2). Know your limitations. I can paint, wallpaper, tile, put up shelves and I even laid a pretty decent patio once but there's no way I'd do bricklaying or plastering as I wouldn't know where to start.

Just today I was reading a lovely story about this guy. He didn't have a dad, but he's created this beautiful little channel to help people with stuff round the home/life stuff.

There are of course millions of tutorials on YouTube - probably down to exact makes and models for some jobs - but this is a nice place to start and not feel thick for not knowing....

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNepEAWZH0TBu7dkxIbluDw

It gets better over time, and it really is worth persevering. I was reduced to tears by a shelf in my first house; now I'm at the stage where I can do pretty much everything apart from electrics and plumbing.

You don't need many tools. A decent cordless drill/screwdriver and a hammer covers most things.

Don't try to do too much. One thing at a time, take your time, you have a lifetime to learn.

It gets better. I was a forces brat, which meant I never saw an adult doing DIY. Then I lived in rentals until I was 30. DW taught me basic woodwork, wallpapering and how to level a floor. I taught myself plumbing, electrics and how to make network cables from reel and blank. Plastering, roofing and pest control I pay people who know what they're doing.

Thanks a lot everyone so far - you've given me some helpful tips and reassuring advice :)

Plan, plan, plan.

And take your time. It's better to finish it in two days and do it properly than half a day and do a bodge.

And clean, clear, make sure you aren't tripping over yourself.

YouTube is amazing. We have a friend who's done up a few houses and moved on l, and when people express surprise that he did it all himself he just goes, "YouTube mate". We painted one room in our new build house and then before I did the next one I watched a short video by a painter decorator. Guess which one looks ten times better?

It is about preparation and practice but I can totally see how it must be daunting being on your own and thinking you've a whole house to do. I would try and do what you can yourself but maybe have a list of jobs (tiling, electrics, plastering, etc) which you can accept you'll have to pay someone for and budget accordingly. You'll surprise yourself though with what you can manage when you stop being so hard on yourself and get a bit of practice under your belt.

Just glossed all wood work on my landing paint work looks great now an very little mess am getting alot better after trying for few years 😂 did get little bit of gloss on carpet but new one coming next week. But yes it doesn't get easier you learn new things all the time making it easier and the new tools your buying now will be in handy to have for next improvements

Does not doesn't

I think starting small is best. So hanging a picture or changing cupboard handles is a more realistic start than plastering a wall or building a deck. In terms of tools we only buy things if we will use them regularly, otherwise we borrow or hire them. You also don’t need the highest quality tools for diy on your own house. You aren’t a tradesman using them all day everyday.

Everything you do you are shit at until you have practiced enough!

Do lots of research and really properly check what things you need to do to complete a job.
YouTube! Or other online videos, you might need to watch a few different ones as one might have bits that others don't and between them all you get a complete picture.
Most people I know who don't or just wing it are the people who end up with carpet that don't fit because they cut too much off or shelves that are diagonal

Big furniture can be hard. Empty contents, pull drawers out. Iv even unscrewed doors off a wardrobe to lighten it and put them back on once it's in position! Oh and il post a link if I can find it to wheels you can slip under.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Furniture-Shifter-Lifter-Wheels-Moving-Kit-Slider-Mover-Move-Removal-UK/283492709806?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3D3958a5a5e4844d7fa8978b24f46527b2%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D353093589266%26itm%3D283492709806%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2386202%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2386202.c100677.m4598