If you're ever looking for a challenge, tackle home improvement. Any size renovation will do. You won't have to build a garage in the backyard to get the true feel of a hands-on project that is difficult to keep your hands on.

Even if you are passing the hammer and nail work to a contractor, you will still be up to your neck with daily issues that need your hands on the project. If you are diving in all on your own, then the complexities will pile up moment by moment. You won't really know if you're up for it until the job begins.

With planning and financing behind you and the blessing of the building inspector stapled to the wall you are neck deep in a hands-on project. The word 'intimidating' falls so short of an accurate emotional feeling that we can dismiss it straight away. Fear is the only word that applies. The fear at this point can really be a good thing.

The fear will help keep you in check when it comes to throwing your money around. Stick to the plan and the budget that is attached to it. If your plan involves something small like changing the tile in the shower then maintain your level head and start at the beginning, turn off the water.

Carefully remove a few tiles to see what is behind, and never start smashing the walls with the biggest hammer you own. That's for television, not your bathroom. If you smash out a hole too hard then you could damage the plumbing or knock a tile into the tub and create other damage you will need to repair.

This is where the budget can get slammed, causing more work then you planned on. Be careful and always keep the safety of yourself and your porcelain in mind. If you have a lot of home improvement projects under your belt then you know what I'm saying. If this is your first stretch into the cloudy realm of home renovation then use the force, or the fear to guide you.

Spending money is very easy when upgrading or repairing your home. The fear of going overboard on materials and fixtures is natural. Keep with the plan and the budget. Refuse to give in to the little man on your shoulder while you're walking through the building supply store. Keep your eyes open for deals and bargains.

Getting in over your head is another way to keep on track. It can shove you in the direction of common sense. Common sense may be getting some advice or hiring out some part of your renovation. Hands on doesn't always mean your hands. Your hands could be on the shoulders of the guy sanding your drywall mud or installing your garage door.

Any type of home improvement or renovation is difficult. I do this all the time and I get stopped in my tracks by something every week. You just never know what is behind the wall in your tub surround or what's under your floor. You rarely know everything you need to know to come up with a definitive plan. So start slow with an open mind and tight wallet.

When your hands on then you may not always know the solution but you will be the first to know the problem. The solution, well who knows? If you have done a hundred or so tub surrounds then you have a good idea of what can be expected. If this is the first tub surround you've tackled then know one thing, it pretty easy.

You will be a pro in no time. My son and I were talking a few weeks ago about the plan for the coming day. We had two bathroom floors to tile and one tub surround to do. Our plan was to be home by four in the afternoon. We have done a few of these and if nothing is rotten then we should be home in time for Oprah. The key as always is planning.

Getting the materials organized with all the tools is a big step. You want to shut down the room for as short as possible. Bathroom tile work is always two days or more depending on the drying time of the adhesives and grout. Having the right tools can make all the difference too. Now the real hands on part can begin.

Just remember to look the other way when that little man on your shoulder is pushing you in the direction of, "go ahead what's another hundred dollars".