Most of us look at a DIY project and assume we need to call in a tradie, but that’s not always the case. One Australian dad has saved thousands doing it himself, and says most people underestimate themselves.
Luke Moore, better known as @therenodad on Instagram, has built everything from sandpits to installing his deck, which would usually cost thousands. For anyone sitting on a DIY project they’ve been too scared to start, Luke says, “You are far more capable than you think of achieving what you want.”
3 rules for starting a DIY
- Start with a problem in your own home
- Break it into small, doable steps
- Expect mistakes—and keep going anyway
He didn’t start with a toolbelt and a plan
Chatting to Better Homes and Gardens, Luke is quick to point out he didn’t learn any of this in a classroom.
“I’m self-taught. I developed my skills through trial and error and an obsession with finding the solution, no matter what. I’d start by being inspired by a renovation or project I saw and thinking to myself, ‘I can do that’.”
He’s not going to sugarcoat it, though. Renovating isn’t always easy, but it is worth it.
“Setbacks are inevitable and part of the process,” he says. “Push through them, and the end result will be even more satisfying — with a story behind it, lessons learned, and new skills developed.”
The mistake he still makes
He’s had his fair share of blunders, too, including one he still makes to this day.
“Cutting my last piece of timber too short, even the spares! It’s a mistake I still make sometimes today, and I have to push through to finish it.”
Where to start
Not sure where to begin? Luke says the answer is closer than you think.
“I start by looking around my own life and thinking about what I can build or create to solve an issue, or something I can make that my family can enjoy and use, something that benefits us.
“Then I think about how to break it down into steps, what roadblocks I may encounter, and how to overcome them.
“The most important thing is getting started.”
Luke has also made his most popular build plans available for download at renodad.com, with designs for everything from a chicken coop to a breakfast nook.
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