When approaching home repair, there are many jobs that a handy person can do themselves. Doing your own work assures that the job is done correctly and to your specifications. Most every home improvement business can answer any questions that you may have and they will probably also have any "How-to" booklets that you may need.



But before taking on a task such as replacing cabinets, shutters, railings, columns, doors or door surrounds, floors or floorboards, or anything else in need of repair or replacement, you will need the proper tools. When purchasing tools, buy only what you will need for your first project. Try not to suffer from illusions of grandeur. If you decide that you want to do this on a regular basis, you will eventually have a nice set of home repair and improvement tools. Buy quality tools-you don't want to spend money on the same tools over and over.

The following is a list of starter tools that will come in handy:

Hand Tools - hand saw, sturdy hammer, a set of adjustable wrenches, a utility knife, a set of screwdrivers, a set of pliers, C-clamp, level, files, vise, putty knife, brushes-wire and paint, and a chisel, a universal staple gun, and a caulking gun.

Power Tools - circular saw, a jig saw, a reciprocating saw, an electric drill and drill bits, an electric sander.

Hardware - assortment of nails and screws, hinges, door and cabinet hardware, screw hooks, and brads.

Supplies - assortment of sandpaper, spackling compound, duct tape, steel measuring tape, all-purpose and wood glue, caulk, paint and primer, and mortar.

A few tips to live by when working on your home:

Start Small - As excited as you and your family might be, don't attempt large projects right off of the bat. Doing this will save you time and money in the long run. If you have never been a do-it-yourself person, tackling a large job may put you on the fast-track of "I just want to get this done!" thinking. Starting small and learning and making strides will give you a sense of accomplishment and an enthusiasm to tackle a bigger project.

Tackle ONE Project at a Time - Sometimes this is difficult to do, but try to keep projects to a minimum. Taking on too much can become overwhelming and you might have a tendency to throw your hands in the air with so much to do. You should try to enjoy do-it-yourself home improvement. Finishing one project before starting another one will make you feel better about working on your own home.

Don't Perform Any Task That You Are Not Completely Comfortable With - Let's face it, you may be smart but that doesn't mean that you can do everything. Some jobs require the help of a professional-that may be a specialized contractor or an architect.

Following these simple guidelines should get you well on your way to do-it-yourself home improvement. Remember to put safety first and learn something from every project.