About
Purpose of this Home Improvement Blog
When I moved into my current home a few years ago, I really had no exposure to any home improvement projects. I didn't own a saw, a paintbrush, or a level. Hanging pictures pushed the limit of my abilities.
Primarily for financial reasons (I couldn't afford to contract the labor), I began to do the work myself. The projects started small- painting a room, changing a faucet, and adding a deadbolt to a door. Over time, I moved to more difficult projects. By no means am I an expert at any of this, but I have become proficient enough that I feel comfortable doing most of the work myself.
I used to purchase the "How-To" books at Lowes and Home Depot. However, many of these books seemed to be a gallery of completed projects that were way out of my league. The books are great if you want to get some ideas on the direction of a project, but they almost talk you into hiring a professional by overshooting the skill set of the average homeowner.
The purpose of this home improvement blog is to show what can be done with average skill, entry-level tools, and a "do it yourself" mindset- whether it be for financial reasons or simply a sense of accomplishment. About Me
I am a self-admitted novice when it comes to home improvement. However, I believe that this adds to my credibility when writing to the average homeowner. I would be much more interested in reading about how an amateur constructed built-in shelving than how a professional carpenter constructed those shelves.
I have a desk job in the Southeastern U.S. I live in a fairly new house. I owned almost no tools a few years ago and had virtually no experience with any of the topics that are covered in this blog. Today, I had at least a little experience with many types of home improvement projects and have had the pleasure of learning some useful tricks from contractors through observation and conversation.
Now I own the tools needed to complete most home improvement projects. I purchased very inexpensive tools and, for the most part, found them to be more than adequate for what I was trying to do. It is important to choose the right kind of tool, but not necessarily the most expensive tool.
Today, I really enjoy undertaking a new home improvement project. I found the work to be a nice detour from my profession, and the results are very satisfying. It's a lot of fun when you tell someone visiting your house that you constructed those built-in shelves. Here's what they usually say, "You? Come-on! Seriously? Wow, I'm impressed. I didn't know you could do stuff like that."
Please direct any email feedback or inquiries to: jon AT insidemanpublishing DOT com
