Closing day on our first home was a dream.  It was a perfect spring day; the sun was shining, birds were chirping, and everything was in bloom.  We went straight to the house after closing, sat on the front steps and shared a bottle of champagne.   Slightly buzzed, we went inside and discovered a water leak that created a shower in the living room when we used the bathroom above. Talk about a rude awakening.  That was the first of many discoveries as we renovated.  Looking back, the biggest mistake we made was not finishing one project before we started another. 

What is the biggest clue that a home improvement project is DIY?  The answer is that it is incomplete. Fourteen years and four houses later, I have learned there are two simple steps to keep your good intentions from turning into a trail of unfinished projects.

I love starting a new project.  Buying the materials, picking the decor, and watching a space transform are my favorite parts.  I used to go to the store and buy materials for several projects at once.  I thought I was saving myself a trip but all I was really doing is guaranteeing that I wouldn’t finish what I was currently working on.  If you buy supplies for the next project, it will be that much easier to abandon your current project when the novelty wears off and it’s 'close enough' to being done. 

Step one: shop for one project at a time.  I don’t even let myself window shop for items.  No pinning favorite looks or putting things in my shopping cart online.  The anticipation and excitement for the next project are what helps me focus and finish the current task no matter how mundane.

Step two: set a timeline and don’t be afraid to create a sense of urgency. We started painting the cabinets in our second house a week before we were hosting my parents 40th anniversary party.  Setting a deadline to complete the job before the party may have been slightly aggressive, but it forced us to keep working long after the motivation was gone.  We finished the cabinets much faster than if there was an open-ended timeline and the kitchen looked fantastic for the party.

DIY home improvement only adds value when it is done properly. If you wouldn’t shovel half your driveway, mow half your lawn, or brush half your teeth, don’t half ass your home improvement.