Knowing When to DIY
and When to Hire a Pro For Home Improvement Projects
By Katherine Oakes
When to DIY
You have the time: We
know how hard of a weekend warrior you are, but there is only so much that can
get done within those 48 hours. Go through all of the necessary steps
beforehand so that you don’t find yourself stressed and strapped for time in
the middle of your project. For instance, replacing all the cabinets in your
kitchen probably won’t get done by Sunday night if you’ve only ever screwed in
a lightbulb. So be realistic and set yourself up for success by laying out a
timeline for your DIY project first.
You have the
resources: For the times when a professional really comes in handy is when they are already sufficiently
equipped with the appropriate tools and maybe even a team—no matter how
small—to help them get the job done. Face it, wouldn’t it be a whole heckuva
lot better not to have to run to the store when you realize you’re missing a
set of drill bits that might never be used again? The answer is yes—it would.
You have the
knowledge and skills: No matter how expertly you’ve installed curtain rods
or even put up that stunning beadboard in the bathroom, it’s important to know whether or not you have the right
kind of knowledge and skills to do a more complicated home improvement job.
Weigh out the pros and cons of the project before getting started and be honest
with yourself about whether or not this a challenge you can handle or if you
should reach for the phone instead.
When to Call a Pro
If it risks your
safety or could be a health hazard: A tell tale sign that you are in waaay over your head is if your DIY
risks your safety and well-being. Anything that involves major electrical lines
or plumbing work, or potentially coming into contact with chemicals,
substances, and materials like insulation or mold and asbestos should be
avoided unless you know how to handle it. If you know how to do some basic
electrical work but don’t have any clue about pipes and other plumbing issues,
then steer clear and call for help. Knowing your limits could save your life or
at least a few bucks in damage.
If your town has
codes in place to protect you: If you are making changes to your home, like
knocking down a wall or beam to open a room up, then you might find out you
need a permit to do the work first. This is the most obvious sign that you need
to hire a professional and that the work you’re doing is way too dangerous to
do solo. It is often the case that certain elements are there for structural
purposes or even hosts to a hotbed of electrical wires and major plumbing wires
and the need for a permit is in place to protect you and your home. In this
situation, call a contractor or handyman for help.
If the worst-case
scenario is too severe: As well-intentioned as you are, there are certain
scenarios in which the worst possible outcome involves unrepairable damage to
either you or your home, or both, that are simply not worth doing. A kitchen or
bathroom remodel, installing siding, roofing, or even windows are projects
worth calling a professional to do so that you don’t have to spend more time
and money fixing the newer and even worse issue down the road.
What are some of your remodeling or home improvement stories? What kind of projects are you working on now? Let us know down below!
What are some of your remodeling or home improvement stories? What kind of projects are you working on now? Let us know down below!
This article was written by a third-party company who is not affiliated with Bid4Assets, Inc. Bid4Assets has not evaluated or endorsed the content in this article. To get more great home tips from Modernize click the link below.
