May 2018 Spending Report

Hi folks,

Welcome to my sixth spending report where I'll be bringing you up to speed on my progress during the fifth month of 2018.

Just in case you're new to this, I'll explain a little bit on what it's about.

Below is a detailed list of all the jobs I've completed during May 2018, split into the little and not-so-little projects. The major projects are ones that take me more than 5 days, the minor ones take 5 days or less.

I've gone into a little detail on each, and will eventually do some detailed how-to blog posts on them in time. Although I don't keep an exact tally of the time it takes me to do each DIY project, I have put a pretty accurate amount of days against each. I've also estimated how much I reckon I've saved by not paying a professional to do the work.

To the right (or below if looking on a phone) is a summary of the whole page. You'll notice that I keep a running tally of the figures that occurred in previous spending reports to give you a good idea of the whole costs.

That's it, enjoy reading folks and I hope you find this information valuable if you're about to start a similar project...

Jump straight to...


DIY SPENDING SUMMARY


During May 2018:                          £494.25

Total so far:                                     £14941.05


ESTIMATED MONEY SAVED

During May 2018:                           £500.00

Total so far:                                      £14775.00


TIME SPENT ON DIY


During May 2018:                             3 days

Total so far:                                        86.5 days


NUMBER OF DIY PROJECTS


Small DIY Projects completed in May 2018: 2

Total so far: 10

Large DIY Projects completed in May 2018: 0

Total so far: 4.5


How do you estimate the money saved?

Oak Fencing

A short run of Oak feather edge fencing

half constructed fence showing post and cant rails with about a quarter of the feather boards attached

I was about to build some raised decking in the back corner of my garden. As I wanted to tuck it up against the fence, I thought I may as well re-do the fence, especially as the existing one looked like it had been built with a spoon! I have done a how-to on this too, check it out.

  • Total cost of DIY Project: £405.38
  • Estimated Money Saved: £350.00 (carpenter/builder for 2 days @ £175/day)
  • Time Taken: 2 days
  • 1 Small DIY Project

DIY COST BREAKDOWN (all incl. VAT)

  • 1No. 125x250mm 2.6m long Oak sleeper (to make two posts) - £27.22
  • 8No. 2m lg 75x50mm Oak bevelled fence rail - £115.20
  • 1 pack 6.7 x 95mm long In-Dex screws wide head (Box of 50) - £15.30
  • 1kg of 2.65 x 50mm long stainless steel ring shank nails - £24.72
  • 40 150x25mm, 1.8m lg  Oak feather boards - £168.00
  • 2No. 2m long, 22mm thick, 200mm high Oak gravel board - £25.00
  • 8No. bags postcrete - £28.94
  • A bit of leftover lead - about £1

High Bar

A little project for my daughters birthday - A high bar

caitlin doing a spin on her high bar

My 10 year old daughter is getting into her Gymnastics so we thought a High Bar would be a good addition to the garden. Formed using 100x100 softwood post set very firmly into the ground, joined using a 32mm diameter galvanised bar for her to grip. Her face lit up when she saw it!

  • Total cost of DIY Project: £88.87
  • Estimated Money Saved: £150 (1 day for builder)
  • Time Taken: 1 day
  • 1 Small DIY Project

DIY COST BREAKDOWN (all incl. VAT)

  • 2.2m long, 32mm diameter galvanised bar - £15 to a friend (cost elsewhere may vary)
  • 2No. 3m long 100x100mm sq. pressure treated post  - £20.09
  • 10No. postcrete bags - £36.18
  • 2No. 1.8m lg 75x75mm sq. side struts - £6.80
  • 1/2 Bulk bag wood mulch below bar for soft landings - £10.80

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