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There is a lot of information available about home renovation projects. From popular television shows to in-depth how-to videos and training manuals, there are a lot of ways to learn how to take on a home improvement project. The question is then, is the information right?

Keep reading for suggestions on sources of different home improvement how-to resources as well as info on how to assess their reliability.

Sources of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Home Improvement Info:

1. Television and DVD

Television is great because it lets you see each step as the project unfolds. However to get the most out of a video how-to experience, your best bet is to actually purchase a specific DVD that relates directly to the project you’re taking on.

For example, if you’re planning to install laminate flooring, look for a DVD specifically on how to install laminate flooring, not some other type of flooring.

You can find many of these instructional DVD’s either online or right in your hardware store. Most are hosted by trusted experts or popular home improvement celebrities.

2. Books

How-To books are a great way to build a small home library with a lot of information right at your fingertips. The benefits of a few, well-chosen home improvement books are that they’re always accessible, often well-researched and you can take them with you from project-to-project.

3. Internet

The Internet has millions of pages about home improvement. The problem is finding the right information. Look for reliable sources like trusted web pages or active web communities that self-edit.

Look at a web site, including the resource it offers and how updated it is, and ask yourself if you would risk the cost of your home improvement project on its advice.

For specific questions, try forums or message boards where active users can often help you with a number of home improvement conundrums. Remember that unlike a book, you can’t always take the Internet with you, so print off or write down the information you need.

4. Your Local Hardware Store

You’d be amazed by how many questions can get answered at your local hardware store. Ask your store clerk or even fellow handyman and you’ll get all sorts of free advice for your home improvement need.

Finally, despite all the free advice available on DIY home improvement, that doesn’t mean you can get away with never consulting a professional. For major projects, especially those involving your gas, electricity, or costs sufficiently high requiring you to finance your home improvement project, always consult a qualified professional.

After your budget and timeline, the next important factor in your home improvement project is supplies.

The cost of your supplies, tools and materials will affect the overall cost of your project. Their availability will affect your timeline and the quality of your tools will impact your finish and overall speed.

Whether your focus is on replacement doors, windows, light fixtures, or any other renovation idea, it’s important to invest serious planning effort into your project and make a full assessment of the materials you’ll need as well as the tools required to complete the job.

Here is a list of some of the basic supplies and materials needed for most home improvement projects.

1. Paint and Brushes

When setting out to paint a room, measure first so that you know exactly how much paint to buy. Start by calculating the square footage of the area that you’ll be painting. Each wall has a square footage; measure the length of the wall and multiply it by the height to get the initial number.

Then add the numbers for all the walls together to get your total square footage. A gallon of paint, being painted as a second coat, usually covers about 300 square feet. A gallon of primer normally covers about 175 square feet of wall space since a greater percentage of it is absorbed into the wall.

If you’re uncomfortable with these figures or feel overwhelmed by the math, take your measurements into the paint store with you. The paint clerk will be able to quickly determine the amount of paint you need. If a room has large windows or doors, bring in their measurements as well.

2. Lumber

Wood is a versatile material that can be used to build basic shelves or frame an entire house. Select a wood that’s strong enough for your project and will endure over time, and buy enough to complete the work.

Base your project – whether it’s a deck, a fence or a shelf – on dimensions that are divisible by two and four; this will make selecting the right amount of wood much easier to calculate.

3. Basic Tools

Every home needs to have at least a hammer, saw, screwdriver set and a few boxes of nails. From there, your tool needs will depend on the types of projects you plan to tackle.

If you intend to to work with wood, consider purchasing a quality table saw or circular saw. If you anticipate doing a lot of do-it-yourself plumbing, you’ll need wrenches and some good soldering equipment.

For redoing old floors or refinishing furniture, you’ll need a power sander. Almost every home improvement project has a specialty tool.

All these basic supplies are available in any local hardware retailer. For large items such as tools or large shipments of lumber, shop around for the best price before making a purchase.

The Internet is a great resource for home improvement ideas. Seemingly endless, there are thousands of sites with how-to information, contacts for local contractors, reviews of services in your area and web communities devoted to home improvement and renovation projects.

Unfortunately, it can be an overwhelming amount of information to sort through. Keep reading to learn about different sources of home improvement information on the Internet as well as how to access them.

1. Business Finders

You can use mapping sites like GoogleMaps or MapQuest to find local contractors and hardware stores near you. From there, you can browse their web sites, get a feel for the business or also look for reviews.

If you’re curious what other consumers had to say concerning a prospective plumber, try using a search engine to search for his name or business name along with the word “review.” For example, if his name is Bob Smith, try searching for “Bob +Smith +Plumber +Review” to get accurate results.

2. Online Quotations

Many providers offer online quoting services. This can be a great way to gain an idea of a project’s price along with an estimated cost of materials. Even if you’re just in the budget and drafting stage, online quotes are a great tool to provide you a fairly accurate idea about cost.

3. How-To’s and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Information

Many web sites offer expertise articles or step-by-step DIY instructions for everything from how to hang a picture to how to frame a house. Before investing in information from an online source, check a few different pages just to cross check their opinions and recommendations as well.

4. Product Reviews

If you’re thinking about buying new home improvement equipment -like a new set of power tools or a table saw – online product reviews are great.

Written by customers like you, they tell you the pros and cons of each product – including windows, doors, siding, and more – while rating factors such as price, durability, power and ease of use. Before you purchase a new home improvement tool, check the online product reviews.

5. Web Communities

Message boards, forums and web communities are all great ways to connect with other home improvement enthusiasts. They’re also fantastic for getting a specific question answered.

Think of posting a question on a forum as similar to walking into a busy hardware store and asking everybody there for advice. You’ll get a lot of answers from people with varying levels of home improvement experience, ranging from experts to home improvement DIY hobbyists.