So you have decided to undertake a 'Do it Yourself' (DIY) project. Whether this is your first such undertaking or your hundredth there are a few things you need to consider before starting.

Yes, I know you just want to get started making something. But with a little fore thought and some planning it will make it much more enjoyable and get it done a whole lot quicker. 

Your project will need a beginning, middle and an end. Obvious right? Yes, but how many times have you seen (possibly been guilty yourself) someone start a project in the middle and take twice as long as it should have simply because they had not determined the correct starting point.

So, consider the project as a whole and consider what really needs to be done first – not necessarily what you want to do first. For instance, there is no sense replacing those cracked bathroom floor tiles if the plumbing needs fixing. Because you will end up having to do the entire job again – and I don't know about you but I hate doing things more than once.

Now that we know where to start, think about the job at hand and work through it in your mind. I like to quickly 'do' the job in my head so I can see what will be needed; consider any potential problems and determine the relevant solutions. This way you know exactly what materials, equipment and tools you will need.

You are now ready to start.

Clear the area you will be working in. Taking a few minutes to do this often makes the overall job quicker because you don't need to dodge around objects and it makes it safer. How many times have you stepped over something nearly tripping every time, when it would take a second to move it out the way?

If the job you are about to tackle is on the exterior, give a thought to the weather. You do not want to be working outside in the pouring rain or worse; snow and neither do you want to be in the extreme heat. Not only is this not pleasant to work in but extreme temperatures and conditions can alter the effectiveness of adhesives and paints.

Think about the position of the sun in relation to the job – it's often best to follow the sun around the house so that the morning dew has time to dry out. And do think, before you go up a ladder – is it on firm ground – and don't go up if it is windy.

What are you waiting for? Get started. You should now have all the right tools and the correct materials to get the job done. And remember 'if a jobs worth doing, it's worth doing well'.