Is DIY vs Contractor For Home Renovation Cheaper?

Like many homeowners, you may be tempted to undertake a home renovation yourself to save money. I have had these thoughts as well. So has Jon.

Home Advisor suggests that “the cost of hiring a general contractor for remodeling a house ranges between $4700 and $9400, besides the tab for building materials and supplies.” Think about it.

Undoubtedly, DIY seems cheaper. Nonetheless, just because you can, you shouldn’t. While some tasks are easier to complete, others need the hands of specialists. The issue is differentiating between the two.

Can You Safely DIY?

Certain house modifications can be dangerous. And we learned this the hard way. We buy homes for cash, and they sometimes require repair work. Several years ago, Jon decided that he could repair the staircase balusters. Clearly, that was not the case, and he ended up hurting his arm.

Ever since this episode, we ask ourselves, “Could I seriously get hurt doing this like Jon did all those years ago?” And in all cases, the answer is yes.

Ask yourself:

• Do you have secure storage for tools and physical hazards?
• Is there any risk of leaving supplies on hand, especially if you’ll be working sporadically?

To address these safety concerns, contractors are trained and certified to perform specific vocations.

The contractors at Richmond Roofing Company are certified. They have been a proud recipient of the Platinum Preferred Contractor Award from Owens Corning every year since 2014. They serve all your roofing needs with the highest professionalism and safety.

Do You Possess the Required Skills to DIY?

Minor home renovations, such as building a fence, are tasks that homeowners can tackle easily. But some tasks do not lend themselves very well to a “learn as you go” strategy.

In our experience with house flipping, bathroom re-piping, fireplace replacement, and furnace installation require specialized skills and advanced expertise. In general, a licensed professional should perform any significant renovation or replacement requiring electricity/gas, heat, or water, and you shouldn’t attempt to DIY.

Be aware that mistakes in DIY projects might harm your home and require the services of a contractor to repair. Additionally, any DIY projects completed incorrectly can lead to code violations on a property, which can make it difficult to sell a house in the future.

Are You Fully Available to DIY?

While DIY ventures can save you money, time is also money — and home improvement tasks, especially for beginners, can take months or many weeks to complete.

• Is your schedule conducive to taking on a long-term obligation?
• How time-sensitive are the project’s mechanics?
• Will something require two days to dry?
• Do you need to act quickly while the materials are still warm?
• Is it possible to work on it occasionally, or does it take several uninterrupted hours of labor?
• Do you have the time to seek work authorization if your municipality requires it, presuming they are granted to non-professionals?

Remember, if a project involves a work permit that is exclusively available to contractors, it is likely that you cannot legally do the job yourself. In brief, before embarking on a DIY home improvement project, it’s a good idea to log your time and determine whether your schedule allows for the luxury of a DIY job

Is Doing It Yourself Financially Feasible?

Ironically, DIY is not usually significantly less expensive. Indeed, you may pay more for materials and tools than the contractor. Numerous remodeling projects require specialized, pricey equipment.

Although you’d pay for materials regardless, they may be tough to get on your own; most suppliers prefer not to deal with amateurs, or some may charge a premium for a small retail purchase.

By contrast, contractors frequently benefit from discounted supplies and materials. Additionally, they often offer their equipment. Hiring an expert may be cost-effective.

Summary

The choice between DIY and a contractor is not simply about money. It’s about safety. Simple DIYs are not the issue here. It’s the big picture renovations that require more than a power drill. Certain renovation projects demand expertise and the ability to operate tools that the average Alex cannot handle.

So, let’s let the professionals do their job.