how can I improve my DIY skills?

[HastingsLikeTheBattle]

I am completely clueless When I was growing up we didn't have anyone around doing DIY so I didn't learn that way, and then as an adult I had an abusive ex who wouldn't let me even try, saying I was too useless.

Over the years, I have slowly improved my skills, such as assembling flat packs etc, but when it comes to putting shelves up, I cant manage to drill the wall. At all. My house is full of test holes when I have attempted to try. This morning I had a handyman out to fit three doors (which he had quoted for) and asked him to fit two rails on to the wall so that I could slot the shelf brackets into - I figure this would be easier than having to repeatedly drill. He did so, but it nearly cost me £100 more than the quote for the doors (it took him 10 mins so I was expecting maybe £50 extra). As it happened, I only had an extra £60 so he accepted that. I cant afford to keep paying him!

I have a drill, but its not very powerful, and I cant figure out how to change the drill bit. I also have a little powered screwdriver which I can just about use. I currently have four shelves waiting to go up, I would like to transfer the tv bracket on the wall to a different room, and I would like a ceiling washing drier (ok, so that may be a tad ambitious ).

Are there courses etc that clueless people like me can go on, without it costing too much?

YouTube is your friend. There are loads and loads of good videos showing you how to do basic DIY. I use them all the time. And it is free. Online forums can also be good for slightly more complicated things

Power tools will help. I went to a DIY shop and asked for advice. Bought a new cordless hammer drill and it’s made a huge difference.

When I bought my first house I bought the Collins book kf DIY. I now read what I need to do them watch the YouTube clip. So far I've done shelves, hole filling, plastering and tiling not to mention all the decorating. Research then give it a go

First of all, start believing in yourself! You can do all of what you've listed you want to do.
Other than learning from others, I've learned more from my mistakes. Don't be scared to try something new.
As the previous posts have said. Try YouTube, it's a wealth of info.

Does your local B&Q store run "you can do it classes"?

I attended a number of classes over the years - fitting floating sheves to radiator fitting, plastering to basic plumbing, and laying laminate to shed building.

At the time they were £15 a class (free if you are a B&Q card holder) and gave me confidence in the way to approach each task, that each job was actually quite simple (except plastering!), and was perfectly able to do on my own.

Staff who ran the classes also gave really good tips on tools to buy too.

YouTube for everything.

YouTube taught me how to hang doors, plumbing, tiling, how to lay floors, rubber flooring, decorating and lots of other DIY.

I’ll look into the B&Q courses thanks

Well, I’ve been YouTubing like mad and decided that I needed to buy a new drill as mine wasn’t hammer action. Until I watched another video from which I learned that drills will need to be switched on to hammer mode. So, I studied the drill I already have, and low and behold - there was a little button with a hammer next to it

So, I now have two new shelves up in the bathroom, that are perfectly straight —one— —of— —the— —brackets— —is— —wonky— —but— —that— —can— —be— —hid— —by— —a— —towel— I even managed to just do one hole per screw!

I’m now looking around the house to see where else I can drill...

Thank you all for the words of encouragement

Strike fail

Well done on your shelves! It’s a nice sense of achievement to get DIY things done yourself imo :)

There’s a DIY school near us that does courses a bit like the B&Q ones so it’s worth seeing if you have anything near you, but I agree YouTube is great too - good luck!

Definitely keep trying but do buy a pipe and cable monitor so you don’t drill through something you shouldn’t.
I replaced our electric shower by watching a YouTube video and just giving it a go.

Not wishing to diminish your excitement but learning where pipes and wires MIGHT be in your walls (there are 'rules') before too much more perforation goes on would be sensible. (Flanders and Swann, the gas man song). Having a set of DECENT QUALITY drill bits and starting off with a 2 or 3mm size so you can get the hole exactly where you want it then jump up in step size until you get to the size you need. If you are going to do it, get decent tools, cheap usually means 'disappointment' (4 letter word) and makes the job harder, and you lose faith in your ability.

Aha, I already watched that video and bought a stud/pipe/wire detector first thing this morning

The drill bits I have are decent quality (not the cheapest or most expensive) and while the drill is a cheap one, it had really good reviews so I do do my homework. It’s just the actual doing it that I struggled with.

I thought your strike fail was actually an illustration of how straight your shelf was! 😁
Anyway, I always say DIY is 50% experience and 50% confidence. As long as you know how to get out of it when something goes wrong (usually a trip to b&q) then there's nothing you can't do!

I would caution against doing things with mains electricity. If you must, get a friend in to be able to switch power off and administer first aid as necessary. It can kill you, and without care could be dangerous to others (even if you aren't worried).
Water, fine you get wet if you get it 'wrong', 'whoops'!
Think safety for yourself and others and you should have no problems.

I mean the friend only has to understand first aid, not necessarily electrical work.
Enjoy yourself, a new career may open in front of you.