With so many videos on YouTube showing step by step strategies to update your home, it’s very enticing to tackle projects yourself. The fear of learning something new might be less daunting than choosing a contractor who you don’t have experience with.
So what are some things to consider when updating your home and deciding to do it yourself vs. hiring a contractor?
TIME
We all wish we had more time. Time constraints are one of the biggest hurdles for most families attempting a “DIY” project. It is common to completely underestimate the amount of time it will take to complete a project because for most people attempting a DIY, it’s the first time trying to do it. However, if you have the time, and you enjoy the challenge of learning something new, the pride and sense of accomplishment from updating your home can be very rewarding. The key here is to make sure you have the time necessary to accomplish the project. Hiring the right contractor can help eliminate the lack of personal time required to invest in your home project.
SCOPE OF WORK
Simple home projects updates like changing cabinets or painting your interior, DIY could be the ideal solution if you have the time and willingness to try something new. If your home project is simple, it can be a rewarding experience to do it yourself. On the other hand, if you plan to do multiple updates; maybe open up a few walls, new roof, or updating your kitchen and bathrooms, then hiring the right contractor can be the best decision. When scope is simple, savings can be substantial. But when scope increases savings decrease.
BUDGET
When I talk to people that have done projects themselves it seems to be a mixed bag. Some people are extremely happy because they did the work themselves. They feel like they have saved a significant amount of money. That can be the case when people have the right contacts for supplies and thorough research has been done. However, others discovered that their home project actually cost them more money than they had budgeted for. What people don’t know is they’re often paying substantially more for their materials than a contractor would pay.
The amount of time a project will take, the amount of work that needs to be done and the budget you are working with will help you decide if hiring a trusted contractor or doing it yourself is going to best fit your family’s needs. If you still are not certain on how to tackle your home project, we would be happy to help you determine what route you should take!
Talk to you soon,
Chris + Mitzi Dunayski