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Do It Yourself: Find satisfaction in home improvement projects

5 min read
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MetroCreative

Do-it-yourself projects are on weekend to-do lists as many people find themselves at home this Memorial Day weekend.

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MetroCreative

Doing projects yourself at home can bring satisfaction.

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Those who want to try do-it-yourself projects should always consider cost and if it fits into the budget.

Sandy Costello Vargo of Scottdale remembers well when she acquired her own set of tools.

As she wrote on her website, Pink Tool Girl, “After my son got locked in our bathroom and I could not find a screwdriver in the house to rescue him, I wanted my own set of tools. Why not pink? I’m in a house full of boys so at least everyone knows which tools are mine.”

Vargo said her husband, Andy, went out after the bathroom incident and bought her a tool kit. But this was not the first time Vargo handled tools. She had been taught by her father, the late Paul Costello of Connellsville, and had fixed up apartments in which she lived as well as worked on sets and scenery for productions at Laurel Highlands High School in North Union Township, where she formerly taught music and theater.

Vargo explained her husband was taught by his father and grandfather, and the couple enjoy fixing up their home. That’s how they developed the Pink Tool Girl website (www.pinktoolgirl.com), helping others with their own do-it-yourself projects through how-to articles, courses, videos and checklists.

“It started as a blog in May 2015 and then it morphed and adjusted into what I was good at,” said Vargo, who handles the creative end while her husband handles the engineering aspects. “I like helping people find the right tools for what they’re doing – bridge the gap between what they want to do and showing them how to do it.”

DIY has been around for decades, including mechanics, crafts and gardening as well as home improvement. The U.S. Census Bureau notes on its website that 37 percent of home improvement projects between 2009-11 were do-it-yourself.

There are some things to consider before getting started. That includes the size of the project.

“Some people try a project that’s too advanced at first and say ‘I can’t do this,'” said Vargo. “You have to build up to it.”

She noted people also need the desire to do the project.

“Can everyone paint? Most people yes, but me – I hate to do the edges. I know that about myself, so my husband does it,” Vargo said.

People handling a do-it-yourself project for the first time may want to start with something small. Vargo advised taking a piece of furniture, such as a chair, and painting it.

“It’s so easy and so practical. It’s something you can do in a day and say ‘I didn’t know I could do this,”’ observed Vargo. “Some people are afraid to mess up. Take a chair and a can of paint and see if you can do this. Most people find once they transform one thing, they might go from a chair to a table to a cabinet. Little projects end up being big projects.”

Those tackling a project need to consider the cost and if it fits their budget.

“One of the first things I did was I found a table at Goodwill for $10. I painted and stenciled it, and we still use it as our dining room table,” Vargo said.

Research is important, with Vargo noting sometimes a product may cost more but last longer.

Also consider the time needed to complete a project. For example, installing a new floor in a small bathroom takes less time than installing a floor in a kitchen and living room.

And do you have the tools needed for the job? Some tools must be purchased while others can be rented or borrowed. Vargo also advised checking store policy to see, for example, if they will cut wood for a customer.

Vargo said most people will try a home improvement project to save money, but many do it for creative reasons.

“Sometimes you want to customize it to your style – whether it’s French country or farmhouse. So many people won’t buy something because it’s not the right color. Make it your color,” Vargo said.

She said people try DIY because they might be curious to see if they can build or customize something.

“There’s a lot of creative people, and I love to see what they can do,” Vargo commented.

The Vargos have done flooring, countertops and taken down walls. They learn along the way.

But Vargo advises knowing the difference between what someone can and cannot do.

Vargo noted, “People will say ‘Oh, I hate the color of this bathroom.’ Then paint it – that’s easy. ‘I don’t like the layout of this house.’ Not so easy.”

The Vargos use contractors for projects they’re not able to handle or to save time. And Vargo noted she doesn’t do plumbing and electrical work.

“We know our limits. Some people can do plumbing. That’s not in my wheelhouse,” said Vargo, adding, “I think safety first. You may be dealing with water damage. That’s why we always call a plumber.”

She added, “Know your limitations and when to call in the professionals. It’s different for everybody.”

But those who are able to accomplish DIY projects find a sense of satisfaction.

“I love it,” said Vargo, “and I find when someone does it themselves, it’s a good bragging right because that was something they were able to do.”

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