Most of us have tried our hand at a bit of DIY at some point or other.

Whether it be hanging a picture on a wall or designing and building a bookshelf, doing it yourself can be challenging and rewarding in equal measure.

But even minor jobs can go wrong without the right preparation, know-how and equipment. Fortunately, there’s a world of resources at your fingertips to make sure the only surprises you get are pleasant ones.

Join us as we show how your PC makes the perfect partner for any DIY task around the home.

The way forward
So, how can a PC possibly help with DIY? Well, regardless of the size of the project, a degree of planning is essential.

Whether it’s a simple printed screw hole template, or a scale diagram of a room. It’s also useful to have a list of tasks, tools and timelines, particularly for more complicated jobs.

Commit your plans to scrap paper, if you like, but word processing, drawing and planning software will keep your plans on track and even enable you to email them to friends and relatives with a bit of expertise if you get stuck.

Choosing the right tool is important, too, and the internet puts every hammer, chisel and power tool at your fingertips – often cheaper than in the shops.

Finally, everyone needs a bit of advice now and again, and that’s where your PC could become the most important tool to hand, giving you access to hundreds of websites and forums offering tips and even video guides to walk you through projects large and small.

One point we can’t stress enough is the importance of working safely. No matter how small the job, we strongly advise taking every safety precaution possible, and here too websites and discussion forums are an invaluable resource. In this regard, it’s just not worth taking shortcuts.

Lastly, consider whether the job you’re taking on requires planning permission. If it does, you can sort out the paperwork online. Some jobs are subject to other regulations, such as some electrical and wiring tasks. Again, information is at hand.

Information overload
The internet is a huge store of information and advice on any subject and DIY is no different. You may never have considered spending a couple of hours online before taking on a home-improvement project, but consider the following: what are the chances that no one has ever tried to do what you’re doing before? Not very high, we’d guess.

So, look around for advice from people who have been there before; not only might you pick up valuable tips or insights that could make the job easier, but you may also stumble across all sorts of clever and creative ideas that may inspire you to change the nature of the job altogether.

In terms of general advice and information, there are loads of great websites that are packed full of useful guides, tutorials and pointers. We start with retailer B &Q’s website.

As you would expect, everything you would normally find in the physical B &Q shop is available to buy online, but for now we’ll restrict ourselves to B &Q’s Knowledge Centre, a veritable treasure trove of information.