Recommendations for the clueless beginner

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Hello!

I know very little about DIY, bu really need to learn as I've just bought a flat which needs more doing to it than I thought. There are loads of youtube channels out there but I really don't know where to start. I'd like to get a good overview of things and not to sound completly clueless when speaking to contracters and getting quotes.

Can anyone recommend a good youtube channel for beginners that I can watch to teach myself the basics?

Thanks!
 
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It depends on what basics you want to learn about.
Subjects covered could include, basic electrics, basic plumbing, basic carpentry/woodwork, basic decorating etc, etc. The good thing is, some things you learn about one subject can be modified and carried over to another subject.
Lets start with what you know/think is wrong with your flat. We may then be in a better position to guide/advise you.
 
Basic decorating would probably be a good start as I'm going to have to paint all the walls.

Most of the things that are wrong with the flat are big jobs best left to the professionals - plastering, fitting a new kitchen, chasing in wires and installing plug sockets.

My radiators aren't working either. Bleeding radiators is one of the few jobs I can do, but that didn't work so I'm currently going through a few youtube videos before giving up and calling a plumber.
 
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My radiators aren't working either. Bleeding radiators is one of the few jobs I can do, but that didn't work so I'm currently going through a few youtube videos before giving up and calling a plumber.
Click to expand...
Or you could start here and post a new question in the plumbing section providing as much information as possible.
 
conny said:
Basic decorating seems to be covered by this guy but I think this is the second video in a series so may be worthwhile typing in his name to try and find the ceiling one first. From here you will find suggestions
Click to expand...
Thank you, I'll take a look.
 
A lot of that you you could do yourself with time and patience, will save you a fortune aswell.

Unfortunately I am unable to provide good YouTube links, but a Google search of what you wish to achieve usually brings up good results.

Regards the chasing in, you could do this yourself, mark out where you want the sockets and do the chasing yourself, you will have to buy some tools but you can get cheap stuff easily that will more than do the job, look at Screwfix and their titan SDS and erbauer tools range.

As has already been suggested, each time your ready to start a new project open a thread in the relevant section and everyone on here will point you in the right direction
 
I know it's a bit old fashioned, but might I recommend a book? The one I'm thinking about is the "Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual". When I got my first house many moons ago my dad gave me a copy of this book, the grey PVC covered ring bound one. I still have mine and whilst it is now a tad out of date (materials have moved on in the last 40 years), much of what is in there is still highly relevant and the book contains a lot of what a DIYer would want to tackle contained in a single volume. That makes it a handy starting point before wading into YouTube videos. When I was on the local flea market yesterday there were two stall holders selling copies - one of them was on at a tenner
 
I had a book in a ring binder with a hard red plastic cover.

Was it Readers Digest? Or AA?

Often see one in charity shops

There are some "Which" books as well.
 
Quick scout on the net ('coz I've stored mine away and can't find it at the moment :rolleyes:) turned up photos of the one I have:

Readers Digest DIY Ring Binder.jpg
Readers Digest DIY Ring Binder contents 002.jpg
Readers Digest DIY Ring Binder contents 001.jpg
Readers Digest DIY Ring Binder contents 003.jpg

Mine's the older grey one. I believe that you are right, John - the newer one is red and yes, they do seem to turn up in charity shops regularly and fairly cheaply
 
Some useful sections in there including:

Decorating
Hand tools
Power tools
All about timber
Fixing and fastening
Handling concrete
Brickwork and stonework
Upholstery and soft furnishing
Glass and glazing
Home electrics
Plumbing and central heating
Home maintenance and repairs
Metalwork
and First Aid

as well as some basic (and these days a bit old fashioned) projects.

As I said, it covers a lot of the basics and goes into enough detail to give you a clue how to do it before you whiz off and find someone on YouTube demonstrating how they do it (and as a joiner I have to say some of the videos about joinery stuff on YouTube make my toes curl - but that's Americans for you, in the main)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
sxturbo said:
A lot of that you you could do yourself with time and patience, will save you a fortune aswell.

Unfortunately I am unable to provide good YouTube links, but a Google search of what you wish to achieve usually brings up good results.

Regards the chasing in, you could do this yourself, mark out where you want the sockets and do the chasing yourself, you will have to buy some tools but you can get cheap stuff easily that will more than do the job, look at Screwfix and their titan SDS and erbauer tools range.

As has already been suggested, each time your ready to start a new project open a thread in the relevant section and everyone on here will point you in the right direction
Click to expand...
You are greatly overestimating my skills. I just about know the difference between a flat head and a phillips screwdriver.

I have had a look at the youtube videos detailing how to chase in wires. It seems waaay to complicated. I'd rather pay someone to so it properly than spend time trying to do it myself, failing miserably and then paying someone to fix it.
 
Also on Ebay, but it is heavy to post.

Various editions are available
 
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