Summer is prime DIY time, so make the most of the light evenings to improve your home and garden.

Work across the building from left to right, or right to left, painting one section of wall at a time. Do the top half and then the bottom half, repeating for each section in turn. Don't stop painting in the middle of a section because the joins may show.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully for the masonry paint or exterior emulsion you're using and ensure that each coat is completely dry before doing another. Remember, the perfect weather for this job is dry, warm but overcast conditions — start as early as possible to make the most of the day.

Unless you live in a bungalow, you will need a long ladder to reach the house's upper floors. Don't go up the ladder unless you are comfortable doing so and be sure to take full safety precautions. If you feel safer with someone holding the bottom of the ladder, wait until there's someone who can.

Start by erecting the ladder correctly. For every 4m you extend the ladder, it should be 1m away from the house, forming a 75-degree angle.

The ladder should also sit on flat, level ground.

Secure the ladder at both the top (to the house) and bottom (to the ground) as you work across the house. If you have to rest the top of the ladder against a window, fix a piece of wood across the window first to take the weight.When working on the ladder, never lean across to reach because this is dangerous — always move the ladder so you can reach without stretching.