Do It Yourself Reviewed
Natura Home and Garden
Natura provides services for both home & garden, including extensions, conversions, patio & paving, garden buildings, water features, irrigation & more. They have a lively and unusual site (as long as your browser supports Flash) which includes some photo records as examples of their work. Based in the South East.
www.naturahomeandgarden.co.uk
DIY.com
DIY.com is the home improvement site from Europe's largest DIY retailer, B&Q.; Their site has a wide range of home improvement tips, and an entire online library of advice. All types of projects are graded by difficulty, with a 'Show Me How' series to make any task easier. Naturally their goal is to sell you their own products, but they have really made the effort to make this a definitive DIY resource you will want to come back to.
Screw Fix
Screwfix is a site selling everything you need for DIY'ing at trade prices with next day delivery. Products range from abrasives to workwear and there is a message board that is broken into industry ie: electricians talk, builders talk ect which is handy if you need help with a problem or have some tips you would like to share.
www.screwfix.com
BBC Home DIY
The BBC's guide covering plumbing, flooring, tiling and decorating offers articles on DIY safety, how to get a quote and find a tradesman, a paint calculator, and step by step instructions on how to do a variety of home improvement projects in the DIY Guide.
DIY Tools
DIY tools is a site that sells everything that you wish you had on a Sunday morning when your trying to do that "easy job" that ends up taking you till the Saturday after. They sell adhesives, hand tools, paint and varnish, plumbing and ventilation tools. Plan ahead, get what you need here, and spend the rest of your Sunday reading the papers.
DIY FAQ
Although it is not at all pretty, this comprehensive archive of the uk.d-i-y newsgroup is a treasure trove of information and articles on topics such as decorating, home security, power tools, heating and plumbing.
DIY FixIt
Simple, yet cute website offering information on building and repairs, plumbing, tiling, electrics, wallpapering, painting and decorating.
DIYnot.com
We were going to rate it a 4.5 as the design is a bit dated but the content is just too good and the forum is one of the most active I've seen on a home improvement site. And one of the best bits is the way the articles link to the forum posts on the same subject. Very nifty.
Good Wood Guide
This guide to choosing timber for DIY, home improvement, self build or construction projects is provided by Friends of the Earth. Although primarily promoting the book, this mini site also offers a checklist, A to Z of wood timber and links to other green sites.
www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/resource/good_wood_guide/
Knauf DIY Workshops Online
Now this is an interesting way to sell products. Teach Me DIY is a mini site by Knauf with online workshops offering step-by-guides and tips for a variety of projects including plastering a wall and adding insulation.
HeatandPlumb.com
Offering a wide range of products for DIY home improvement from bathrooms to sewage treatment, solar heating to books on plumbing. The shopping section is easy to navigate with clear photos, specifications and pricing.
World of Brass
World of Brass offers a wide range of door furniture including door handles, knobs, locks and latches, cabinet fittings, as well as window and bathroom fittings. This user-friendly and well-categorized online shop also explains the types of door handles and gives general advice.