Inner Handyman

  Years ago Steve Smith in his character of Red Green used to say, "If the women don't find you handsome, at least they should find you handy". It is a truth in life that it is easier to make yourself handy than it is to make yourself handsome. Being handy is just a matter of learning a skill and repeating it until you become proficient. It is much easier to be a handyman than it is to become a craftsman. The last 10% of skills in any job is usually the separating factor from handyperson to craftperson, because in truth the home projects don't have to be a man's domain, anyone can do it. That last 10% in skill is also where most of your money will go in  any renovation project. You will pay handsomely for that last 10%, so you can be handsome or handy, either way the job will get done. If you are the type of person who demands perfection in everything, you probably won't enjoy the handyperson journey. If you can live with a few minor blemishes on life, grab your tools and get started.
  Our first step in any handperson project in the house is a discussion, lots and lots of discussion. That's a good thing. We talk out the project to make sure we both have the same vision of the end result. We don't often start with the same idea, but we usually end with the same expectations. We are not professional designers, so it takes a lot longer to get there, but this phase is usually free, not so if you are paying for that extra 10% in skills. We talk over the plan and get out the graph paper to draw out our vision. We have even grabbed the chalk and drawn an outline of the project on the floor. This can save having someone draw a chalk outline around you if the discussion becomes too heated.  If this is the case maybe it is time to pay for the pros to step in.
  It is important at this stage to find your comfort level. I would recommend not starting off with building your own house from your own drawings. It is time to figure out which parts of a job you feel you can handle and which ones you are scared to death of, and it is also a good time to do your research if you are doing a job for the first time. You can cause a lot of damage by entering into a project blindly. If you are not sure of something, ask someone who has more experience.
  Once we have this done, we have to figure out the materials. Don't fret about it too much, you won't get it right, no one does, not even the pros. Something always pops up. But, since you are maybe retired like me, your time doesn't have a price tag on it, and the conversation at the lumber yard is usually entertaining and informative.
  Now that you have the materials home it is time to start the project. Remember, measure twice cut once. We have accumulated a number of tools over the years to help with our projects. Our rule of thumb is to buy a tool if it saves money and we will use it again. If it is a one time deal, you should rent, then you don't have to store the tool when you are done.  Power tools are faster, and more dangerous. Take the time to read the directions on any tool and familiarize yourself with all the options that the tool has, and always, always wear the proper safety equipment.
  Once you have completed your project, step back and admire your work. You have earned the satisfied feeling you are now experiencing. Remember the job may not be perfect, but it is your job, you did it. You will get better with each project you tackle. Start small and build your skill set. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you are stumped, that is how we all learned to tackle ever bigger projects.