DIY Home Improvement – Factors to Consider Before Doing It Yourself
Should you perform your own DIY home improvement projects? Besides getting the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes from doing a job well, you can save anywhere from 20 to 100% of the cost of the project. There’s a big difference, however, between removing wallpaper and building a large addition to your home. You may not have the skills or the tools needed, or even if you do, you may not have the time and energy for doing the job yourself. The most important factors to consider when deciding between DIY and hiring a contractor are the complexity, cost, time and your personal skill set.
Complexity of the Project
Projects such as painting walls, installing new cabinet hardware or putting down a paver patio are relatively easy to do yourself. If you are undertaking a major kitchen or bathroom remodel that involves major electrical or plumbing work, however, it is better to call a professional. This HGTVRemodels video addresses the question of when to hire an expert:
Determine the Cost
Start by considering the costs of the materials you’ll need. If they are expensive, DIY is risky. If you damage the materials, you’ll not only have to replace the materials, but at that point you’ll probably decide to hire a professional to complete the project, so your project will end up costing more.
Some home improvement centers offer “one-stop shopping” and offer optional installation services. You can determine the price of the materials and the charges for professional installation.You’ll also need to include the cost of the tools you’ll need if you’re going to do the job yourself. A natural inclination is to buy new tools, especially if you’re a new DIY enthusiast; however, if specific tools are not likely to be used again, you will be better off borrowing or renting them.
Calculating the Time Frame
Home improvement projects take time (sometimes a considerable amount of time) regardless of your skill level. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula for estimating the time that will be needed to complete a project. The best way to figure out how much time you’ll need is to determine all of the tasks that are involved and create a step-by-step project plan. Don’t forget to include the time required for shopping and cleanup as well as for the actual project work. Estimate how may hours it will take to complete everything, and then multiply by three. To avoid creating undue pressure for project completion, don’t set inflexible deadlines (e.g. having a DIY home improvement project completed before Christmas or before a family member’s birthday).
Assessing Your Skill Set
Some people are naturally handy while others are mechanically challenged. It’s possible to develop the skills of a handy homeowner and become a confident do-it-yourselfer, but you need to be honest with yourself in regard to your imminent project. If you’re a newbie and have a project in mind that involves advanced skills and expensive materials, your best bet is to hire a professional.
