DIY for beginners course?

[WaspLady]

Is there a course that teaches the basic of DIY? My house is falling to bits, my ex husband used to refuse topay anyone to do anything at home and would do it badly himself and my house is just full of awful looking bodge jobs as well as just generally falling to bits. Now I’m on my own I can’t afford to pay anyone to do minor repairs around the house but things are getting really depressing with doors etc falling off, walls needing repaired etc. I try to follow YouTube videos but just end up wasting money on supplies etc for it to all fall to bits again! Help!

This doesn't answer your question but I have been thinking about asking if anyone on Mumsnet wants an online DIY "buddy" as I am in a similar situation.

I want to be more confident doing DIY too. A course would be excellent.
My biggest confusion is over rawl plugs and screws and fixing stuff to the wall.

Happy to join… if you’d have me!

@SunnieShine that sounds like a great idea!

What sorts of jobs do you need to do? If you can give say 2 jobs we could all help you to get them done? I am very good at woodwork and have made items for the home or garden from scratch.

I am happy to be a DIY buddy. I have renovated 3 houses and have had lots of training from my lovely dad who is a very competent diyer.

What do you guys want to learn first?

I'll join too although I would say I have always done a lot myself even when ex husband was around so happy to impart my knowledge and tips (anything im not sure of I just ask my dad!) im fairly confidant at having a go at most things 😄

What about your local council / adult education college. I did basic car maintenance and sure they did DIY. We also have a builders training centre or similar nearby that offer courses I think.

You tube is your friend I think.

But local adult education centre?

Our local building college does evening classes for adults maybe try something like that?

I've learnt a lot from
YouTube

I follow this guy, and google and YouTube a lot
https://instagram.com/dadadvicefrombo?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Not that I'm great but I managed to sand, fill and repaint the windowsills so that's one thing I can do now!

If you are in the north west there is a diy school in Stockport that does some short courses... I haven't been yet but keep eyeing them up

Please please can we make some sort of beginners diy support group

Fairly new single mum here
Moving soon and I am determined to learn basic diy skills!
But I Don't know where to start..
Well I think buying a drill would be a good place??

@dreammattemousse I bought a Ryobi drill that has rechargeable batteries. The batteries then fit other Ryobi stuff. Word of warning- they don’t last long if you stick them onto their leaf blower…

I’ve so far put hooks (using the supplied rawl plugs and screws) on the back of my doors. I can assemble furniture no problem, and I’ve hung pictures.

Ive also redecorated a room.

@dreammattemousse I have 2 of these I use for woodwork and light jobs drilling into bricks or blocks. One is about 7 years old and the other is 2. Nice and easy to use.

BLACK+DECKER 18 V Cordless 2-Gear Combi Hammer Drill Power Tool with Kitbox, 1.5 Ah Lithium-Ion, BCD700S1K-GB amzn.eu/d/aXinCmB

Thanks so much for all these replies, sorry I drifted off to tidy the garden and forgot all about it!

I use YouTube a lot but things never seem to work out the way they should and to be honest my house seems to be a bit strange compared to others so the online videos/instructions never seem to apply. For example I tried to change a broken light switch.. watched videos, bought everything I needed, turned off electric then when I removed the old switch the wiring was completely different to anything I’ve seen online (I asked ex H to do do it and he couldn’t then somehow put the switch back upside done so now stuck like that until l pay someone to come and sort it!). The house isn’t that old (1980s) but HA so everything done very cheaply I assume same issue when I wanted to change a tap, the plumbing is completely different from any example i can find online.

If anyone here has any experience with ‘no fines’ walls and can advise me on how I can get my bathroom mirror to stay on the wall for more than a day I would be most grateful 😂

You tube is great for this sort of thing, but you picked a horrible starting point when choosing electrics. There are multiple wiring systems, depending on age of house and whether a previous diy’er has had a god.

Rule of thumb, If possible steer clear of plumbing, electrical initially and anything gas related. get experts in for those.

pick smaller jobs first, try your hand and practice. Don’t be put off because you couldn’t do electrical.

YES! Let's do it! And "where do I start" is the big question that has got me going round and round going nowhere... 😁

Thank you for the recommendations
I am so determined to do some basic diy..
I can't even assemble furniture
But the house needs work so I'm going to have to cope.. somehow 😅

I'd love to join in here too. I'm about to become divorced and move house - if I ever get to exchange contracts grrr! There's gonna be lots to do. First one will be ripping out built in wardrobes, second, new kitchen and third, new bathroom. I'll also have a lot of anaglypta to strip which might take me into the plastering realm!

I've done some tiling, I laminated the kitchen floor once (badly) and I'm ok at decorating. I'm also ok at building flatpack. My problems are I lack strength and patience. I also don't know what the best tools to use are.

I watch this guy all the time. He's Canadian so refers to Home Depot a lot but he demonstrates overcoming the same problems I'd expect to come across. He talks plainly and I can follow it.

I haven't done any electricals (scared), no plumbing at all (but would love to know how to change a tap) and I wouldn't go near gas.

Getting a good set of tools makes everything loads easier. I would hugely recommend a cordless rechargeable drill and impact driver set. The impact driver is basically a screwdriver version of a drill so you can just screw stuff into wood without drilling holes. It is great for undoing tricky screws too. Makita do a nice set of a driver and drill aimed at diyers.

@HappyGG an impact driver and a crowbar are your friends for demolishing built in cupboards. I also treated myself to some overalls so I can just take them off and go back to normal non diy mode quickly.

@Geneticsbunny Thanks for that. I have a crowbar at the ready but I'm not sure what an impact driver is.. will google. Overalls is an excellent shout. I've ruined so many clothes from being lazy...

@Geneticsbunny Just read your description of an impact driver set! I have one of those but not so powerful. Will check out the makita set. Thank you 😊

Can I suggest joining a Tool Library to get you started? They are popping up around the world and so there’s likely one near you. You usually pay and annual fee (ours is £25) and then borrow as many tools as you like. Bonuses included advice on how to use, any safety gear required and sometimes they run workshops on how to do a particular job/aspect of DIY. They are nearly always run by charities/social enterprises.

You are guaranteed the right tool for the job, save money and also are not responsible for storing or maintaining the tool yourself. They often also have other useful items - ours has a gazebo, champagne flutes and tea urns - good for parties!

See also community Sheds for DIY workshops and advice. Based on the Men’s Shed movement they are primarily social groups but with the facilities for woodwork etc. You can identify on the Shed Associations website which ones welcome everyone and which are just for men.