do it yourself

"Do it yourself" ("DIY") is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things by oneself without the direct aid of professionals or certified experts. Academic research has described DIY as behaviors where "individuals use raw and semi-raw materials and parts to produce, transform, or reconstruct material possessions, including those drawn from the natural environment (e.g., landscaping)". DIY behavior can be triggered by various motivations previously categorized as marketplace motivations (economic benefits, lack of product availability, lack of product quality, need for customization), and identity enhancement (craftsmanship, empowerment, community seeking, uniqueness).The term "do-it-yourself" has been associated with consumers since at least 1912 primarily in the domain of home improvement and maintenance activities. The phrase "do it yourself" had come into common usage (in standard English) by the 1950s, in reference to the emergence of a trend of people undertaking home improvement and various other small craft and construction projects as both a creative-recreational and cost-saving activity.
Subsequently, the term DIY has taken on a broader meaning that covers a wide range of skill sets. DIY has been described as a "self-made-culture"; one of designing, creating, customizing and repairing items or things without any special training. DIY has grown to become a social concept with people sharing ideas, designs, techniques, methods and finished projects with one another either online or in person.
DIY can be seen as a cultural reaction in modern technological society to increasing academic specialization and economic specialization which brings people into contact with only a tiny focus area within the larger context, positioning DIY as a venue for holistic engagement. DIY ethic is the ethic of self-sufficiency through completing tasks without the aid of a paid expert. The DIY ethic promotes the idea that anyone is capable of performing a variety of tasks rather than relying on paid specialists.

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  1. P

    Bodgers,Chancers and Diyers

    Are they good for the tiling industry ??? In general they make a positive impact to the tiling economy but a negative and financial impact to the end user A bad job usually results with the customer either ripping it all out and starting again or employing a tiler to try fix the problems or...
  2. E

    DIY'er cutter recommendation

    Apologies if this is done to death already, but I've had a search and cant find anything... I'm going to be tiling my bathroom & ensuite in the coming weeks and need a cutter. Tiles will be something like 300x500x10mm ceramics. I was thinking of the Rubi Star Max 51 which is £90 in screwfix...
  3. H

    DIY tiling advice please

    Hi everyone I've had some tiles for a good 9 months lying around waiting to be put up by my husband in my new kitchen (just a splash back). Now 2/3 of my children are in school or pre school I was thinking of doing it myself as I am fairly diy competent, have some more time on my hands now and I...
  4. judge

    Diy sos swansea build

    Getting excited now.I'm off to diy sos in Swansea on Monday to join the team and meet loads of people helping out on a new project.anyone on here going along ?
  5. Hew

    Awkward DIY Tile round valve

    Hello, how do I go about tiling this area (photos attached)? I need to tile it before the fitter returns. The panel is screwed on but hasn't been plastered. Do I need to level it up with filler? How do I tile around the gaps near the valve? I am concerned about it being waterproof. Thanks, Jim
  6. D

    DIY'er maybe but Protiler kit!!

    Hi All I got these tiling bits today, and from the forum sponsors Protiler tools. Not very exciting to you perhaps, but I got those three 9mm quadrant trims and a big bucket of lash clips all delivered (next day) at the same price as just the trims locally from B&Q/Topps - so hopefully I should...
  7. B

    New ideas for tools the diy way

    Pity about this but I tried to get a few photos but got thrown out for not getting their permission! Was on holiday and was walking through a shopping centre that was getting a refurb. There were a group of tilers doing a large floor with large format tiles. Some were mixing and pouring slc on...
  8. P

    Potential New DIY TV Series

    Is someone in your family brilliant at starting DIY projects but rubbish at finishing them? If so we would like to hear from you. We are looking for families with a half finished DIY jobs for a potential new TV series. Perhaps you have a storm battered garden shed which needs re-building or...
  9. M

    DIY Tiler - Wood effect porcelain tiles, large format

    Hi there..new to forum so not sure what to expect.. We are in the middle of completing an extension and I am going to complete the tiling myself. It an open plan area circa. 65m2. I have done some smaller tiling projects in the past but not with large format tiles. We are using 1200 x 200mm...
  10. G

    Newcomer, amateur tiler, experienced DIYer

    Hi all, I'm David, retired from teaching and now part way through renovating a property. I have tiled, both wall and floor, in the past but just preparing to try 300 x 600 porcelain wall tiles for the first time (just like Ian Marsh who joined the forum earlier today) so will be reading posts...
  11. E

    Hello from 1st time DIY tiler

    Just saying hello, I joined so I could pick your brains because I am about to tile my bathroom. Never tiled anything in my life, so here goes! Am doing white metro tiles with grey grout around three sides of the bath and behind basin. Just a quick question - should I put up coving first and...
  12. Q

    BBC (DIY SOS) calling any Tilersforums members!!!

    Calling all Tilersforums Professionals!!! BBC DIY SOS is coming to Avening, Gloucestershire on June 13th, 2017! I have been in touch with them on Twitter and they still need suppliers and volunteers, especially tiler(s) See poster for application details, or join in on our Twitter page where...
  13. D

    DIY tiler at home in spain

    Just joined the forum, thanks for the help!
  14. C

    First time DIY tiler tackling a non straight external corner

    Hi, I'm a first time DIY tiler and have almost finished tiling my bathroom walls with 600 X 300 floor to ceiling, but I've hit a snagging point... I've got a floor to ceiling external corner which isn't straight by quite a long way. I want to use straight edge trim, but am really not confident...
  15. S

    Diy guy from South Wales

    Hello everyone , I am from south Wales near Cardiff. I have recently been into a lot of diy including tiling since i am restoring a 100 year old Edwardian house and i am absolutely loving it :) So much character in this house and want to improve as much as i can. Here is a photo of the...
  16. I

    New Member - DIYer with some serious tiling to complete!

    Just joined - need some professional input for enthusiastic DIYer! I'll post on appropriate forum.
  17. R

    Hello - diy'er here for tanking advice

    hello, I'm doing up a flat I rent out and am redoing the bathroom so signed up for some advice on tanking. I'll post my question in the diy forum.
  18. V

    DIY Floor tiling job in kitchen

    Evening guys recently got my own place, and really want to sort out the kitchen. I thought my best bet is to start with the floor. Currently there is already old basic tiles down which I believe are council from years ago. I have placed a level down and they are pretty much level apart from...
  19. C

    Bathroom Diy Job

    Hi all, I've just joined to ask for advice on my DIY job, any help greatly appreciated. I'm doing a bathroom floor and shower walls. The floor is wood effect herringbone and the question I have is do I run a full tile off the corner of the shower tray for neatness or should I centre a tile in...
  20. Stevev

    Diy Style Tv Programmes

    I've been watching many programmes such as George clarkes amazing spaces and grand designs..as it surprises me how many people are not using safety spec ear plugs masks and channel4 or whatever production company filming will show people not using safety measures.....even show building...
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