Top 10 DIY money saving tips
Top ten DIY money saving tips from Ronseal
Whether it’s a home disaster that you hadn’t anticipated or seasonal spruce that you’ve been meaning to get done. The lead up to Christmas can be expensive enough, so its beneficial if last minute DIY jobs don’t break the bank.
Ronseal’s woodcare expert, Jimmy Englezos, and paint pro, Rachael Meadowcroft, know a thing or two about DIY, and here they share their top ten tips for keeping your home and gardens looking great whilst working to a budget this winter.
Whether it’s making the reinvigorating existing products or finding clever ways to make new ones stretch further, these smart hacks will help you get it right for less.
1. Repair don’t replace!
Chipped or damaged sinks and baths can cost a fortune to replace, but why replace them when they can often be fix for a lower cost?
There are lots of repair kits that will help fix and cover damage at a fraction of the cost and without having to pay a tradesman. Ronseal’s Kitchen & Bathroom Touch Up Enamel will have sinks, baths and toilets looking their best again fin 24 hours and for less than £20.
2. Ready to recycle? Show old furniture some TLC
For the cost of some furniture paint and a few hours of your time, you can transform tired or past their best items.
Ronseal’s Chalky Furniture Paint is great for reviving drawers, chairs, tables or even toy and storage boxes. After a light sand, you’re ready to go.
3. Give garden furniture a lick of paint
Just because it’s old or weathered doesn’t mean you have to throw it away. A lick of hardwearing specialist paint is a cheap but easy way to prolong the life of your outdoor furniture.
Ronseal Garden Paint can be used on all types of outdoor wood and will provide protraction for five years so it won’t break the bank.
4. Choose multi-purpose products
Opting for versatile, multi-use products will help you get the best value for money and help you get lots of jobs done with just one purchase.
Something like Ronseal’s Garden Paint is great for tackling lots of outdoor jobs. Suitable for use on wood, metal, concrete and terracotta, you can transform furniture, planters and even pipework.
5. Don’t skimp on quality – a good workman needs his tools
It’s great to cut corners but investing in good quality tools will pay off in the long run. Buying a few basics this year – paintbrushes and gloves will always come in handy – will serve you well for years to come.
6. Try Ronseal Tile and Cupboard Paint
If you want to change your kitchen or bathroom but you’re on a tight budget, specialist paint can be the answer.
Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint or Ronseal One Coat Cupboard Paint can help transform rooms for less than £100 – much less than a new kitchen. It’s easy to apply and available in a great range of nine colours and two finishes so you could have a new look in a weekend, without the mess of builders and decorators.
7 . Be waste aware
Don’t throw away leftover product, it’s easier to re-use than you think. Most paints can be stored until next year or kept for any year-round touch-ups. Just make sure it’s stored in an air-tight container and kept in a shed or room between 10 and 30 degrees C.
8. Get stuck into your prep
A little elbow grease goes a long way, so take your time to prepare wood and other surfaces before you start your DIY – this will also make products work better, last longer, and as a result make your money go further in the long run. Check out manufacturer’s instructions or watch how to guides to help get it right first time.
9. Don’t waste money on fiddly primers
Choose your paint products carefully and you might be able to cut your DIY store bill in half.
Many modern paints work without a primer so always check the instructions and where possible, opt for items that don’t need any extra outlay. Ronseal has a massive range of ‘One Coat’ products – everything from wood and tile paints to outdoor paints.
10. Choose long-term protection
For big jobs like looking after sheds or maintaining fences, choosing a product that provides long-term protection will keep costs down – you won’t have to invest in doing it again for several years.
Look for paints, oils and wood stains that stay weatherproof for five or even ten years.