One of the most difficult decisions for a homeowner looking to take on major home improvement or renovation projects is whether to do it yourself or to recruit an outside professional to handle the job. Typically, you’ll want to hire professionals for very large or complicated home improvement jobs which include wiring, plumbing, insulation or roofing tasks, unless of course you have specific expertise in these fields. However, there are many more renovation projects you might be considering. In order to make the most effective decision, you should first ask yourself a few very important questions.
- Do you have the skills and knowledge necessary to take on this project? If you’ve never attempted a similar project before, you might consider acquiring a couple of “do it yourself” project books to help, or even consulting an expert at a local retailer before you get started. You should complete a project plan ahead of time, so you have an organized plan of action to help keep you on task.
- Do you have all the necessary tools and equipment you need, or at least have affordable access to them for the longevity of the project? Having the proper tools can make an enormous difference in completing a quality job in the time permitted.
- Do you have time to complete the project? You might consider estimating how long the project is going to take and then double this time estimate to be safe. Projects always take longer than expected to complete, especially if this is the first time you’ve attempted the task.
- Do you have the help you need to complete the project? Certain project tasks might take more than one person. You should make sure you have the assistance you need to safely complete all aspects of the project prior to getting started.
- Can you do the quality job you want? You’ll want to make sure the task doesn’t exceed your capabilities, creating a potential poor quality job for a task that should enhance your home’s value.
- Do you need any permits? Certain projects may require building permits. You’ll want to contact your local building authority to discover which permits (if any) are needed and how you can obtain them.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to hire professionals is up to you. The aforementioned questions will help you consider the different aspects of the job to understand if you’re up to the challenge or prefer to hire a professional and save yourself the time and headache!