DIY or Hire: Where You Can Save Money and When You Should Hire a Pro

Photo by Annie Gray on Unsplash

Browsing online DIY galleries can be a good way to determine which home renovations you’re interested in and looking up step-by-step instructions can be a great strategy. However, having the skills and patience to complete these seemingly simple renovations yourself is a completely different story. In order to determine if you’re capable of completing renovations, it’s best to consult a professional for a quote before you dive in. Even if you end up opting for DIY, you’ll at least have peace of mind going into the project, knowing that it’s realistic for you to complete it. With that said, there will be renovations that will go much more smoothly and result in higher quality completion when done by a professional home remodeler. Here are five common projects that often offer the dilemma of choosing between DIY and going with a pro.
 
Painting the Exterior
Painting a bedroom on your weekend off is one thing but painting your home’s exterior yourself is a very time-consuming project. When painting interior walls, you often don’t need to scrape or sand surfaces first. However, with exterior surfaces, you will nearly always need to scrape the old paint and sand before you repaint. The whole project could take one person several weeks to complete. On the other hand, a professional painting crew can have the job done in just a few days.
 
Installing Countertops
Updating countertops can really add value to your home. Although installing them may seem straightforward, this is one of those renovations that is best left to the pros. Renovation professionals know how to take highly precise measurements, and they have expensive specialty tools for this exact situation. If you decide to make this project DIY, you risk having visible seams that may bother you until you end up calling a pro anyway. Furthermore, any damage to materials beneath the countertop may not be covered by your home warranty. You’ll want to make sure that all of your appliances are protected during the renovation.
 
Demolishing a Wall
Demolishing a wall is one of those projects that can seem simple at first glance. In reality, it can be complicated and costly. Most people probably imagine picking up a sledgehammer and going at it. The reality is that there may be plumbing, gas, or electrical lines running through the wall. Then, if you live in a house with more than one story, you’ll need a professional to determine whether or not the wall is load-bearing. If so, there will need to be changes to the architectural design, and that rules out DIY.
 
However, if you’re knocking down a wall that doesn’t have utility lines running through it and you live in a one-story home, you could probably take on the project yourself. It’s still a good idea to consult a professional for advice first.
 
Installing Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re going with pre-made cabinets, learning to install them could probably be learned from an online how-to guide. However, installing pre-made cabinets yourself in a complex kitchen layout can risk improper installation and end up costing you more in the long run by having to hire a professional to uninstall and reinstall them. Make sure you understand how much work you’re facing before you get started!
 
Author Credit: Paige Mitchell