DIY or Call Your Contractor: How to Decide

Are you feeling like your home needs a little renovation? If so, you’re not alone. But before you start knocking down walls, you need to take a look at what you hope to accomplish and determine if it’s something you can do yourself or if you need to hire a contractor.

While DIY is undoubtedly cheaper, it can be impractical and dangerous if you’re not familiar with certain tasks. To help you make a decision, ask yourself the following questions:

Is the project safe for DIY? Certain home projects pose physical danger, such as installing a fuse box or replacing shingles on a roof. Before you begin, ask yourself if you could get severely injured. If so, reach out to a professional.
Do you have the skills to complete the project? Small home improvement projects might be easier for you to tackle, but what about repiping a bathroom or installing an HVAC system? Typically, major renovations or those that involve replacing electrical, gas, water, or heat sources need a licensed professional.
Do you have the time? While DIY projects can save you money, they can also take much longer compared to hiring someone to complete the work. Determine how time-sensitive the project is, and base your decision on that.

If you already have the tools, the knowledge, and the time to complete the project, consider doing the home renovation work yourself. Otherwise, hire a contractor to get the job done. Either way, you’ll have a beautiful space in the end.

Sources: Lonny.com, Moneycrashers.com, Bankrate.com