When you go to your local DIY building or other smaller local hardware stores overseas, you’re most likely to see a few unusual maintenance and upkeep products different from the ones you’re used to in your native country. So, here are some helpful tips when dealing with property DIY abroad:
Always ask questions
Ask questions when you’re unsure of anything. In most countries, the citizens are customarily warm and hospitable to foreigners. For example, in Turkey, the average citizen is always happy to offer any guidance and advice you may need, either in-store or when you approach them on the street or in your neighborhood.
Does the weather determine what materials I can use?
Keep in mind too that the weather can determine the lifespan of certain materials used in the constructing property, and therefore their maintenance timetable, as the temperature fluctuates between heat and warmth in summer to dampness and humidity in winter.
For example, in most Southern European countries, both interior and exterior paintings are best done from mid April. You’re also likely to see products stocked during this period.
Will the paint brands be different?
Another notable difference in painting and decorating in Europe is the type of paint used for walls and ceilings. You will find a variety of coloured paints in most large DIY stores, but the contents of the paint are clearly different from the typical brands you’ll get in say, the UK.
You may notice that paints in some countries might look and feel a bit more watery than the prescribed standard in your home country. And in some instances, anti-fungus products may be added separately to protect the paintings on the walls and ceilings from damages from extreme weather changes.
If you want to renovate your home or restore it to its original beauty and charm, you may need to search for your local builder’s merchant that is similar to that in your native country and can guarantee supply of needed building materials and accessories that the project needs. You will likely find such materials in larger DIY stocks, although stocks may be limited.
Special materials like stones and marble should be easy to access locally if they’re a typical feature of the local architecture.
Where will I get good furniture from?
When prospecting for good furniture that matches your taste and budget, you can get a large special market to shop, as in the UK and other Western countries. Normally, these furniture suppliers market are concentrated in and around a local industrial area. There you can find a wide variety of interesting large items such as sofas, dining tables, wardrobes and kitchens and bed furniture to shop to your heart’s content.
Other important DIY details you will need to consider when buying or investing in overseas property include electrical wirings and light fittings, soft furnishings and decorative ornamental pieces, carpets and rugs or wood flooring, and home moving.
Most of the time, it may be best to simply engage the services of local professionals or speak with a local artisan or stonemason. For example, when renting or buying land or property in the thriving Turkey real estate market, it is recommended that you consult Spot Blue for top level professional and experienced guidance. They specialise in Turkey property and have a wealth of local knowledge, with a healthy reputation for unbiased and impartial advice.
