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In 2004 The United States department of Labor reported that the number of injuries and fatalities from falls from roofs and ladders had increased. This report focused on occupational injuries that generally occur among trained personnel, which speaks to an even greater safety concern over DIY projects utilizing ladders.

Most accidents occur from incorrect use of the ladder or materials. Before you begin a project make sure that you have gone through safety preparations and are familiar with the tools to be used. As in most DIY projects, the best safety precaution is to think out your task thoroughly before beginning. You should have confidence in both yours and your equipment’s ability to complete the project.

Getting Started:

Once you have decided that you need to use a ladder to complete your project, make sure that you have the right type of ladder. There are many types of ladders all with their own advantages and disadvantages, which may include weight and height limits. If you are not sure that your ladder is the best fit for the job, make sure to consult a professional.

Some general things to look for in a ladder are:

How strong is it?

How tall is it?

Is it made primarily for indoor or outdoor use?

What material is it made out of (certain materials can have unique weaknesses or safety concerns)?

Does it have any cracks?

Does it have a coating such as paint that could cover defects?

Are the rungs secured?

Are the footpads secure and dry?

Diving into your Project:

While you may be eager to get started on your project, please take the time to ensure that your ladder is set-up correctly and that you know how to use it safely.

1. Make sure your ladder is steady. Place the ladder on a surface that is strong and level; also make sure that the ladder is not on top of any slippery materials.

2. If using a stepladder, make sure that the spreader arms are in the locked, open position.

3. If you are using a straight or extension ladder, make sure the ladder is resting at the correct angle to the wall or structure it is leaning on. The angle is normally 75-80 degrees. Or for every 4 ft high the ladder is on the wall, make the base 1 ft away from the bottom of the wall.

4. If using a straight or extension ladder, make sure that the top of the ladder is resting against a straight and solid surface.

5. Make sure that you have at least three points of contact with the ladder when working, such as two feet and one hand.

6. Wear flat shows or boots with grip when working on a ladder

7. Do not carry heavy items while climbing the ladder, use some type of hoist or pulley system to retrieve the items instead

8. Don’t work on a ladder in strong wind

9. Don’t allow children near the ladder

10. Never stand on the top two rungs of the ladder

11. Stay centered and facing the ladder when climbing or working

These ten tips will help keep you safe, however they are not all-inclusive. If you have any questions about your ladder or safety concerns about your project, make sure to consult an expert.

Amanda Miller is a writer and a home improvement expert. She offers reviews and advice on home improvement projects and products such as the little giant ladder system.

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Once a homeowner decides to proceed with a particular home improvement project, they then have the tough decision - to do it themselves or call in a professional.

There’s no hard and fast rule here. Each potential do-it-yourselfer will have to ask themselves some questions, and be totally honest with the answers in order to be happy with the end result. They will also have to do the requisite research to make sure their answers are grounded in reality. Don’t say that you can build kitchen cabinets just because you’ve made some bookcases. It may well be true that you can, but research the steps and tools needed to build those cabinets, and compare that with your prior experience, plus your desire to learn new skills and obtain any necessary tools, before deciding.

If you’re either considering doing a home improvement job yourself or thinking about using a professional contractor, here are a few questions to ask yourself that’ll help you make an educated decision.

Am I Capable of Completing the Job?

This is the most important and also the trickiest question and you will need to truthfully consider whether or not you can do the work yourself.

If you have not had prior experience doing jobs like this, or if you haven’t had the opportunity to assist others in the completion of a similar project, or if you just lack confidence in your ability to do this work yourself, then it may well be worthwhile calling in a pro.

Conversely, if you have no prior experience in this particular home improvement, but you’ve researched the job thoroughly and are still fired up and optimistic about taking it on, then go for it - especially if you can round up a helper with some experience. Be sure to always consider all safety issues when researching the project. Having a kitchen cabinet door that won’t close is not good, but it’s not as bad as finishing up the job minus a finger - or worse.

Can I Afford it?

It’s easy to underestimate the costs involved in a home improvement project. If your project is small, like broken faucets or painting a bedroom, you can likely save a lot.

If the project is one that involves major disruption of your living space, such as totally remodeling a kitchen, then you have to consider the impact on your home life and career as you work on this project on nights and weekends. Also try to forsee extraneous costs such as, in our example of a kitchen remodel, eating out or ordering in almost every night when you compare the diy home improvement job with the professional one.

It will take you a lot longer than it would take a professional, even if you are as skillful as he is (obviously not very likely) because he can work on it full time. This may end up costing you more financially, because as the project drags on, you may be tempted to buy your supplies at the most convenient place, rather than the least expensive, or to call in pros to finish up small jobs that you just can’t find the time for. However, if you’re really motivated to take on the project, if you have the time to focus on the job at hand, and if you are prepared for the stress of living without a kitchen for a month or two, then take a shot at it. Once again, make sure you’ve identified all safety issues involved in the project.

Do I Need a Building Permit?

Check with the local building department. In many locations, any job that involves wiring or plumbing automatically requires a permit and that the work be done only by a professional contractor.

In the end, what is frequently the best solution is to do the labor-intensive jobs (like demolition) yourself, and let a pro handle the tasks that require experience and skill. This will usually give you a professional-quality job at quite a bit less than the typical professional-quality price.

Joe Serpico is webmaster and publisher of Home Repair Guide. For more home repair and remodeling tips, please visit www.homerepairguide.net

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