Do you have a DIY budget?

[longtallsally2]

We tend to do things as they need doing, rather than plan ahead, but if you were to have a budget to keep on top of indoor repairs/ furnishings/ painting and decorating/ carpets etc, could you guesstimate how much you might set aside?

Apart from major renovations every job comes to £500 that's our scientific workings anyway.

I wish I was that organised, but mostly do stuff in response to unforeseen emergencies. Most of them recently have been things we can put right ourselves with a few quid's worth of supplies.

I do have a few planned jobs in the pipeline this winter, but they're being paid for out of my "pocket money", diverted from my other hobbies. See I draw a distinction between boring maintenance jobs (gutters and plumbing) and frivolous design or restoration projects.

I would say £50 a month at a guess. That then covers small things like new shelf/ screws/ touch up paint, as well as building up the funds to say replace front door or new carpet in hall etc..

It will prob cost more depending on what needs doing etc but at least a good portion is there

We budget £50 a month for "house" things. Includes decorating, small furnishings, garden plants etc.

Hmmm thanks. We can manage that - it's £600 a year isn't it? Sounds more fun to plan to spend £600 in one go, than £50/month!

So how often folks really change carpets, sofas, curtains, kitchen cabinets etc?

Recently decorated our living room (on a tight budget) and so far its cost around £200 and thats because we've done everything ourselves. So we've bought paint, lining paper, paste and other little bits and bats.

The floor is yet to come and seems to be more expensive than we originally thought but spacing it out over a few month (as we're not in a rush) has helped immensely.

I wish we could have preplanned it and had it done all in one go as living in a building site, working full time and on the house is very stressful sometimes. I'd advise to save if you can and have someone do the little bits/full room for you. :)

If yours is an older property I would suggest putting £100 to £200 PCM aside, if you can, each month to build up for general house stuff - this will allow you to dip into the fund for changing heating and electrics and larger stuff - but saving any amout ie to suit your budget and your home condition - is always a good idea !