I am a stay at home mom and I go to school full time, but I was in the army so my school is free and I get extra money and that covers all my books AND child care with a little extra left over. We own a house but were PCS’d with my husband and rented out our house. I really like upscale luxurious things and am not afraid to do it myself because well, we would barely be able to afford it other wise and can’t justify allocating that kind of money for stuff like tile backsplashes and hardwood floors and tiled showers, nice cabinets stuff like that. So I would like to gradually be able to do this stuff myself but know that it can be very tedious and possibly even close to impossible for someone who has zero experience. So how does one acquire this experince short of being taught by their father as a child as that door has long shut. Can I take classes? Follow professionals around? What can I do?

Thanks alot for all the great advice. It has been a dream of mine to do this for years but my husband does not share this dream. I hope to do it when I can have enough money to hire out the jobs I am not able to do.

I bought a fixer REO home and am planning on completely remodeling it. I would like to do the majority of the work myself, but lack the education. I know NOTHING other than how to use a hammer or screwdriver. How can I learn the skills I need and get some hands on experience without having to pay through the nose to take classes at a community college?

Would it save me any money if had the house prepped for the contractor? Having cabinets, appliances, carpet, flooring removed or Am I better off letting contractor handle all the demo himself? (I have not received a contract from builder yet)

I am on a shoe string budget ,but I can not live in theese conditions ! help!!!!

Should I strengthen the walls by adding a stud in the middle to make it 12″ on center or should it be left alone?

would would be easer installing carpet or tile or something like tile into most of the rooms in my mobile home?

would be cheaper?

3 bed 2 bath

I’m looking to vinyl side my house myself and having problems finding siding.All the places I call only sell to contractors. I know Home Depot and Lowes have siding but I’m looking for a little more quality and choice of colors. I live in the Springfield Mass area.

I have heard of compound miter saws, chop saws, table saws, etc. We have finish work to do from the walls out in basement, attic, garage and room over garage, and repair and renovation in the rest of the house. What shall we purchase rather than rent by the day or week?

What is a reasonable amount to pay my friend to install Pergo floors? My condo is around 800 sq. ft.

How easy is it to install a chair rail and wainscoting?

Last question, can I do this all myself? I have no carpentry/power tools experience…