Hire a Pro or Do it Yourself?

If you’re one of the many people who love to DIY, whether it’s installing a kitchen back splash, tearing out carpet, or even refacing cabinets this article is for you. While you may consider yourself a pretty handy person, there are some jobs that are just better left to professionals. Yes DIY home improvements can be rewarding in terms of saving money and having a sense of accomplishment, but choosing to DIY the wrong projects will lead to wasted time and effort, and not to mention, money.

Having the work done correctly is key to saving money, and also keeping your home safe, before you pick up the hammer, ask yourself the following questions to see what you can DIY and what projects are better left to professional help.

Is it Worth the Effort and Time?

If you choose to DIY you can potentially save money, but this option will cost you time. Before you consider whether or not you’re capable to do a project, consider how much time you have to get it done, and whether or not it’s worth investing that time. Say you want to replace your kitchens cabinets and counter tops, if you only have the weekends to do so, your kitchen will be inaccessible for weeks or even months (depending on your skill level). Some projects are more time consuming than others, so think ahead, is it worth updating your kitchen yourself after a long work week, or is it easier to hire a professional who can get it done all while you’re at work.

What’s the Risk?

You should be able to rule out certain types of projects immediately, some projects have the potential to seriously injure you or damage your home. Anything involving main electrical lines, natural gas pipes, and plumbing should be handled by a professional. Keep in mind some projects may also present a greater risk to your home, knocking down walls may seem like a simple task, but if it’s a load-bearing wall or there is unknown electrical wiring or plumbing behind it, you’re going to be in a load of trouble. You should always stay away from projects that can affect the structural integrity of your home.

A common warning sign that a project may be too big to DIY is if your town has building codes for it, which are mandated for safety purposes. You may be required to get a permit for the work, which means you’ll have no other choice than to hire a professional. We recommend you find out the local rulings on what you can and can’t do yourself.

Do You Have the Correct Skills, Knowledge, and Equipment?

If you enjoy doing DIY projects, consider if you’re capable of doing them well before you get your hands dirty. If the consequences of messing up are severe, or the cost of time is too high, you may want to hire a professional. If you feel as if you are able to complete a project correctly, and are prepared for what may come then by all means go for it! Make a list of projects you’d like to do or have done around your home, and for each consider:

• Do you know all the steps it will take to do the job?
• Do you have all the necessary tools or can you borrow them or rent them?
• How much skill or expertise is needed to do this project properly, and do you have it?
• What are your resources if the project turns into a DIY disaster? (Many pros charge more to redo work or refuse to do it at all)

Remember, be realistic about DIY improvements, t.v shows are misleading and make the work seem quick, simple, and fun, when in reality DIY projects may be enjoyable, they are most definitely not quick or simple.

Get Started on Your DIY Improvement

Remember, start small! If you’re just starting out on your DIY adventure, build your confidence up with small projects and grow! You may want to try changing an electrical outlet before you attempt to rewire your bedroom, build window planters before you start a deck. Small fixes can often turn out to be big upgrades in terms of looks and functionality, don’t be discouraged if it takes you some time to get it right.

You can save a ton of money on larger projects by doing a partial DIY. If you do the more labor intensive projects yourself you can cut the cost of labor, and then outsource the rest. For example, with a bathroom remodel you can hire contractors for the plumbing and tile work, but do the painting and small fixtures on your own.

When your doing some home renovations yourself, nothing is worse than investing time, energy, and money into something that you messed up. Although nothing may make you prouder than completing a project yourself. Just be sure to choose your projects carefully by knowing your risks, capabilities, and limits. Remember when doing any home improvements you may need a dumpster rental to haul away the mess. Call us at Waste Solutions 123 for a free quote today and get one of our affordable dumpster rentals out to your project today!