Originally published in Lake of the Woods Area News, Volume 54, Number 4, Fall 2024
DIY or “do-it-yourself”, is an admirable habit that becomes a necessity when you own a rural vacation or residential property. Leave a secluded place alone for any length of time—the main building, its sheds, its outhouse, its toys—and the elements will notice. Bugs, branches, birds and numerous four-legged beasts who like your palace as much as you do, if not more, whether it’s five or fifty years old, will eventually demand attention. Oh sure, you can ignore it, feign ignorance, exhaustion, not my job, no time, someone else has got to do it, etc. etc.
These chores from the job jar are often lovingly appointed via the “Honey Do List” that assigns ugly activities to the most unwilling person who enjoys the place the most: painting, staining, building, clearing… the list is endless. If you’re the lucky one bestowed the list, maybe some of my experience can help.
I’ve been ‘that guy’.
The DIY reward? Keep the finish line in mind. Fishing, lazing in the hammock, boating, an ice-cold soda, a sunny day on the dock, or just saving money… all can eventually be yours when you do it yourself.
Tools
It starts with the right tools. Purchase good tools, avoid too-good-to-be-true priced store brands that may only last a weekend. Many of the top brands have mid-level tools that are better made, have longer lasting batteries and are more capable. If your budget is limited, try yard sales for deals on older tools that have stood the test of time. A good corded electric circular saw is a must.
If it’s a tool rarely needed, look to the rental outlets that will rent that specific tool by the hour, day or week: a cement mixer, a chainsaw, scaffold, even heavy machinery like skid-steers and excavators if the bravado of skill development is in your plan.
Materials
Do some research before buying building products. A lumber yard is a bewildering place, but is usually well organized, with lumber outside and things like light bulbs and tools inside. One thing I wish I’d done early on, was take my family through a lumberyard, groan… do we have to?… to chat up the layout. Why? So, when I’m stuck on the roof and that lumberyard item is desperately needed NOW! such a visit may reduce their time looking for that anxiety-invoking item.
Last word on materials: store them with great care, out of the sun, rain and snow to keep lumber straight, siding from discolouring, and hardware from rusting.
Reusing, repurposing
More and more, I’m seeing DIY’ers discovering building materials from unusual sources such as building tear-downs, a neighbourhood renovation, scrap trees, the list goes on. Old lumber can be milled into something innovative and new. It’s not an easy process but older recovered materials may offer character, quality, durability and hopefully, reduce cost. When offered, take a close look; how easy is it to salvage, does it have transportation issues, will it require special tools… will you be satisfied with the extra effort? Don’t be fooled. Recovered materials can be a lot more work.
A few years ago, an uncle let me know his neighbour was taking down an old two-storey garage that very week. Upon inspection, I found wondrous 1×10” Douglas Fir—over 20 feet long, which I was unable to salvage—but thankfully, I think someone else did. What I did get was a nice load of 1×8”, 12-to-16-foot Douglas Fir boards and most of the metal roofing on the garage, which I used to build a big woodshed at a very reasonable price.
Skills
If you’re wary about operating a tool or performing a mysterious DIY task, build some confidence. Read, or better yet, explore the wealth of human experience of those who have been there done that on the Internet, demonstration videos, online manuals, how-to-plans, etc. It’s all out there.
I have to admit, the Internet has opened my mind to help solve the most mundane or complicated DIY tasks, but don’t toss grandpa’s good old home improvement manuals out, as the Internet sometimes fails at the most obsolete of tasks. A flooring job I recently performed was saved with an old school manual—kids, it’s in the will!
Working alone, that’s no fun. Yet your budget may have little cash for a hire, the convenience of friends (beers and food), or the cost of heavy machinery. The task requires help, but the work must go on despite these circumstances. Stop and think about each step… innovate, and build a system that maintains your safety. Working high up or moving heavy object(s) requires a good ladder, maybe a scaffold or the might of a simple and cheap tool, the “come along”. Clamps, ratchet’s, vice grips, dad’s old B&D Workmate®, etc., are all super handy to hold things together.
When not to DIY
If you are starting from scratch, building a garage, an addition, upgrading electrical or plumbing, quite possibly it’s time to call a contractor. At this stage municipal zoning, building permits, and various service hookups may come into play that require certified training and experience. Most of this information can usually be found on your municipality’s website or by asking friends and family who have undertaken similar, larger projects.
The cabin workout
Staying fit is a constant goal for many of us, but often we attach that activity to a gym, jogging, or walking. Landscaping, construction, and renovating all require a fair amount of physical effort. Embrace that, use it to gain strength, agility, and the power of concentration.
At the end of the day, you’ll not only have built something you’re proud of, but your body will be stronger and have burned every calorie you’ll be enjoying with that divine soda and pizza once the work is done.
Keep the DIY finish line in mind, body and soul.
