Is DIY or Contractor Work for Home Renovation Cheaper?

Like some homeowners, you might be tempted to do your home renovation and remodel job yourself because hiring a professional contractor may seem pricey. According to Home Advisor, the cost of hiring a general contractor for remodeling a house ranges between $4700 and $9400—besides the tab for building materials and supplies. 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, whether it’s balancing on a rooftop, mounting a fuse box, or operating a 300-pound sliding door. Before embarking on any DIY venture, ask yourself this question: Could I get killed or hurt doing this? If yes — or even possibly — then contracting is not only the preferable option but the only one. Always consider your safety and other people in your household: Do you have secure storage for tools and physical hazards? Is there any risk of leaving supplies on hand, mainly if you’ll be working sporadically? For such safety concerns, contractors get trained and certified to perform specific vocations. For instance, the contractors at Richmond Roofing Company are certified. The company has been a proud recipient of the Platinum Preferred Contractor Award from Owens Corning every year since 2014, thanks to its commitment to quality, service, and professionalism. This means that they can serve all your roofing needs with the highest professionalism and safety.

Do you possess the required skills?

Building a fence, demolishing a wall, or polishing a table are examples of minor home renovations that homeowners frequently tackle, gaining new skills along the way and relishing in their sense of accomplishment afterward. On the other hand, other tasks do not lend themselves very well to a “learn as you go” strategy. For instance, bathroom re-piping, fireplace replacement, and furnace installation are all demanding projects that 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. And that can end up costing much more than employing one initially.

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? More precisely, how time-sensitive are the project’s mechanics: Will something requires 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? Another time consideration: Do you have the time to seek work authorization if your municipality requires them – 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 or are significantly easier to complete. For example, a high-quality manual tile cutter, which is frequently required for bathroom or kitchen remodeling projects, can cost up to $3,000 in some cases. Models with motors can cost well into the five figures. Are you sure you want to invest in this pricey tool for only one project? 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. In the end, hiring an expert may be more cost-effective.

Bottom Line

The choice between hiring a contractor or DIY involves more than just money; it entails establishing a balance between money and other essential factors such as time, safety, cost, and quality. This explains why most individuals prefer hiring professionals, and so should you. Having an expert complete your remodeling project will guarantee good work done with less hassle. If you are thinking about selling your house instead of renovating it, give us a call today. We will make you an offer and do the renovations for you.