DIY Home Improvement/Repair/Remodel--How did you learn?

[Valian]

How did you learn about home maintence? Can you reccomend books or videos that helped you learn about home maintenence, repair or remodeling?

Our home needs work. Dh and I really want to learn to be self-sufficent in doing minor repairs and upgrades but don't have much experience and not much access in family or friends to learn these from another person. We aren't particularly mechanically inclined so it doesn't feel natural for us to 'just try' doing X. We really do need some guidence.

I know there are a lot of resources like books out there but I'd love to hear some BTDT stories of good (and bad!) books or videos or things you did. Please share your stories!

[nascarbebe]

DH and I are both very handy and creative. He did construction work in college so that's how he learned and I learned from him and watching MANY hours of This Old House and just about every DIY show on HGTV. You just start out small, like painting and little by little you end up accumulating tools and learning how to use them correctly. One time I saw a magazine that was really interesting and showed you how to do projects step by step. They were real home improvement projects, not shiny Martha Stewart decorating tips. It might've been this one: http://www.amazon.com/Family-Handyma...9101590&sr=8-1

My tip is watching lots of TV

[SoHappy]

There are lots of great instructions and tips on web sites like This Old House, HGTV, DIYnetwork, etc. Whenever I have a project I look all over online. I figure if several places suggest the same plan of attack I'm probably in good shape. I also read lots of magazines.

[MissMommyNiceNice]

HGTV & DIY are your very best friends! DH used to make fun of me for watching so many of them, but they have paid off. (I will testify from experience, when they venetian plaster a room in 24 hours, that's a blatant ugly lie, but other than that, very helpful!)

One of my favorites is the home inspection (Home Investigators, maybe?) on saturday mornings on HGTV. Also good, any of the do it yourself landscaping shows, curb appeal, and this old house.

I am the handy one. DH grew up the son of parents who could hire help. I on the other hand, grew up the "hired help" of a step dad who's house was in a constant state of repair/upgrade. Give DH a drill, he'll drill the hell out of some stuff. Give him any thing else, he'll freak casue the project isn't done in ten minutes!

Trial & error. Try the giant home depot home repair guide. It's helped him a lot. Also, if you have handy friends or relatives, bribe them with beer & food to come fix things and pay attention!

[lucyem]

Our local home depot gives classes

HGTV is very handy and can be addicting

There are basic home repair magazines & books. Browse your local library.

[momto l&a]

We talk to people who know how to do whatever it is we want to do. Then we do the project.

I must say our bedroom we gutted and re-did came out wonderfully. DH did a better job sheetrocking than 'professionals that have done some houses we have looked at.

[snanna]

Community colleges often give "community education" classes on home repair and basic home improvement skills, which I have always wanted to take... We're the kind of people who just dive right in, and that can be expensive! But of course we've learned so much. The library is also my friend-- lots of DIY books and DVDs.

[carolina~mom2be]

i have a DIY book from home depot - its hardback and orange and has step by step directions for EVERYTHING!!!! IT's definately a must own - we've had it for years, but if they still make it or one that is similar, go scoop it up ASAP!!!!