My council house doors looked cheap & dated, I transformed them with 2 DIY hacks for £5 and now they look so expensive
A DIY professional has revealed how he managed to transform his council house doors by using savvy money saving hacks.
He refurbished the doors from looking cheap and dated to expensive and even managed to keep the price low by using two DIY hacks for just £5.
Martin, who goes by the name of @martindiy on TikTok, took to his social media to reveal how he transformed 25 council doors converted to ladder doors in one weekend.
He used two small palm routers to cut long vertical grooves, and a jig – which takes out all the time measuring and marking the ladder pattern – to cut horizontal lines.
He then painted the doors with satinwood paint in Dulux natural slate and refit all the handles and hinges.
Now, he has now exclusively revealed to Fabulous more hacks on transforming these doors and how the total cost came to around £35.
He says: “We use a small palm router which you can get as cheap as £20 on eBay, brand new.
“We also used a 90 degree V groove cutting bit Amazon £8, and then it’s simply just the paint costs.”
Martin also explained what the most tricky part of the transformation process was.
He says: “The hardest part was figuring out the right measurements for the ladder style.
“We found the seven panel doors looked best and so we divide the total door height by seven and that gives us the distance between each one.
“All I would say for anyone looking to do this is to double check your measurements.
“I have made a lot of detailed video guides on TikTok and YouTube so even if you’re brand new to it can easily be followed.
“Also any small mistakes can also be easily rectified.”
His videos on TikTok often get many likes and comments as people share their thoughts.
“Great idea mate, looks brilliant,” gushed a DIY fan.
Another added: “That is class. Wish my house had council house doors”
Whilst someone else simply said: “Love them.”
How can I get a council house?
To apply for a council home, you need to fill out and hand in an application to your local authority.
To find your local authority, simply use the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
Once you have access to your local council’s website, it should offer you guidelines on how to complete your application.
After applying, you’ll most likely have to join a waiting list.
Bear in mind, even if you are put on a waiting list, this doesn’t guarantee you a council house offer.
Your council should also offer you advice on how to stay in your current home and solve any issues you might have, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage.
You are eligible to apply for council housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK providing have not lived abroad recently.
Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies to go on the housing register in its area, but it is based on “points” or a “banding” system.
For example, you’re likely to be offered housing first if you:
- are homeless
- live in cramped conditions
- have a medical condition made worse by your current home
- are seeking to escape domestic violence
Once you are high enough on a council’s waiting list, it will contact you when a property is available.
Some councils let people apply at the age of 18, while others let you apply even sooner at 16-year-olds.
EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible.
A council house is reached through a points system, so depending on your housing needs, you may be considered low priority.
The council will contact you about any available property once you are high enough on the waiting list.
There is no limit on how long you can expect to be on the waiting list.