The enthusiasm a home handyman experiences when starting a DIY project at home can sometimes get in the way of the more important emotion required for the task…. common sense.

DIY looks simple enough – but it can hurt too!

There’s no denying how much fun it is, going to the hardware store and buying a bunch of new power tools and materials. But you need to keep in mind that even the most basic tools required for a simple project, like a hammer, pliers, chisels and even a ladder can all cause a fair bit of damage if not given the respect they deserve. Even the most experienced of us still end up feeling quite stupid after rushing through a job only to find ourselves standing there dripping blood onto the workshop floor. Being a DIY Handyman can be quite dangerous!

The team over at Woodyatt Curtains in the UK have produced a fantastic infographic outlining some statistics and the range of emotions an inexperienced handyman goes though during the course of a DIY project. After all, it looked simple when they were showing you on TV.

I particularly like “The Lifespan of a Renovation” section, that shows the journey a handyman goes through from the beginning to the end of a simple Do-It-Yourself project.

Inspiration > Optimism > Confusion > Despair > Resignation

The “Resignation” section is where the Handyman needs to except defeat and call in a professional. I think it should also include “a possible trip to the hospital“.

Other sections in the infographic include:

• How not to DIY – Start now, plan later
• Using the wrong tools
• Improvising without a ladder
• Patchy paint
• Not checking behind the walls
• Shocking yourself
• Using unfamiliar materials
• Building illegally
• Starting big

A Guide To DDIY: Don’t Do It Yourself – Infographic

Here’s the complete infographic, it’s quite long, but keeps scrolling because it’s definitely worth the read.

Here are links to the resources listed at the bottom of the infographic:

• DIY disasters cost enthusiasts over 3bn a year – diyweek.net
• DIY disasters prove costly – scotsman.com
• Electrical Safety Council Core Data Set – esc.org.uk
• DIY – bbc.co.uk
• Common DIY Disasters – au.lifestyle.yahoo.com
• The most common DIY disasters – moneywise.co.uk
• What are the most common DIY accidents – rospa.com