5 Advanced Projects That Are Easier Than You Think

Determining if a DIY project is out of your skill range can be difficult. A job you think may take an hour might quickly turn into a weekend nightmare, while you probably could have tackled that harder project you hired out to a professional. Whether you're looking to expand your DIY skills or figuring out your limits, here are a few advanced projects to tackle that are easier than you may think.

1. Swapping Out a Faucet

Any plumbing job can seem daunting at first, especially when it comes to something you use on a regular basis, like a kitchen sink. Although some plumbing jobs are tougher than others, replacing an old faucet is fairly straightforward. In fact, your new faucet will likely feature the same or similar connections as the old unit. A faucet replacement typically consists of unscrewing a threaded nut under the sink and installing the hot and cold handles through the top.

2. Building Your Own Furniture

There’s nothing worse than shelling out a few hundred bucks at your local furniture outlet or trying to piece something together you purchased online only to discover that it's not the quality you expected. Fortunately, building custom furniture is easier than you may think. One method is to simply refurbish an old piece and make it into something you can cherish for years to come. This process can be as simple as replacing a cushion, adding some upholstery, and refinishing a worn surface. A second method for creating your own furniture is building it from scratch, though it will take you longer and requires a wider range of tools and skills.

3. Making Light Renovations

Electrical work is something you should always take seriously, but as long as you switch off the power to the device you are replacing, then you have nothing to worry about. Once you turn off all power, the trick to a successful light fixture replacement is making precise notes on how the old unit is connected. A good trick is to use your phone to take a picture of the wire setup, noting the different colors of the wires and where they connect. The rest of the project is simply installing the physical unit in place and making sure everything is nice and snug.

4. Installing a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans are great for dispersing air throughout the home, but installing a new one can seem like a major project. Contrary to what you may have heard, installing a new ceiling fan is an easy job that requires few tools. Remember to turn off the power before removing the old fan and pay attention to how it's wired from the ceiling. You should also tighten the fan blade screws while the unit is on the ground and make sure the ceiling can handle the weight of the new fan. If everything checks out, then simply follow the directions in the installation manual.

5. Repairing a Garage Door

A broken garage door is never a good thing to encounter at the start of a workday. While some repairs require a little more expertise than others, one of the most common garages door fails is easy to remedy. If your door’s motor is running but the door is not lifting, then fixing it is as simple as replacing a worn-out gear. After turning off the mains, the first thing you need to find is a replacement gear sprocket for your particular door opener. Then simply slacken the drive chain, take off the casing, and install the new gear. Put everything back the way it was before you started and turn the power back on.