Ever had to stand in line to use your own bathroom? Have you recently discovered that your avocado green and harvest gold kitchen isn't so trendy anymore? It's time to remodel. Now the question is whether to hire a professional or do the project yourself. Before you run off to the nearest home improvement center, be sure to do your homework because this could be one of the most important investments that you, the homeowner, can make.
Remodeling is a complex process. It can either be rewarding or a nightmare of an experience. You may very well be capable of taking on a remodeling project yourself but do you really have the time and experience to cover the potential problems that you could face if you proceed without a professional? For the handyman or woman, a do–it–yourself (DIY) project is both satisfying and can be cost effective; however, more than 30 percent of all jobs remodelers perform come from failed do–it-yourselfers. Let's consider what it takes to accomplish a remodel in order to give you a better perspective when making your decision.
There are several things to cover when planning a remodeling project. First, make a wish list of what you want to change about your house. Then, make a list of the items you need to change. This will help you prioritize your projects. The next step is to have a visual of the project. Gather your ideas from magazine photos and remodeling articles to assist in developing a design. Your design could be a simple sketch you have drawn out or a plan developed by an outside professional. The more clearly you can envision the project and describe it on paper, the better prepared you'll be in making your decisions. Once you have your plans drawn, you can establish your budget. Your budget will determine what you can do and how you will go about doing it. Think about how much you want to spend. Are you familiar with current remodeling costs and the value of home improvements? Check out www.remodelingmagazine.com and look at the Cost vs. Value report. Consider how you will finance your home improvement. Bear in mind the other costs that you might incur such as unforeseen problems, or even new furnishings and landscaping.
If you're looking to shave costs, take into account that exercising your DIY skills could actually add to your bill. Remodeling to add or to reallocate space can mean knocking out a wall, building a wall, adding a room, extending a room, or adding a second fl oor. Structural changes to a house are not DIY projects. Depending on the scope of your project, you may also be involved with replacing windows and doors as well as upgrading the electrical and plumbing systems. What appears to be simple changes can end up involving more extensive work, which means time and money you hadn't planned on. Money can be saved if you go into a remodel prepared. Without research, preparation, and experience, trial and error is bound to occur.
If cutting down on your expenses is still driving you away from hiring an experienced remodeler, consider the following before you pick up a hammer: Do you have the skills needed and tools required to do the job? Are you on a timeline? Will you need assistance to perform the job and if so, do you have access to highly skilled, licensed and insured tradespeople? Are you familiar with your local building codes and permit requirements? Do you have suppliers for materials needed? Are you prepared for safety issues? If you answered yes to most of the above questions then more power to you. DIY all the way! If you answered no, hiring a professional remodeler is going to be your best choice. Your decision may mean the difference between a satisfactory job you can live with or a project performed in a timely fashion with first–rate design and craftsmanship.
In this fast paced world, we all value our time. Think carefully about the time you will put into your project, small or large, and decide if you are willing to dedicate many hours and weekends to complete it. If you have children, enjoy reading, are pursuing special hobbies, or just need some down time, consider the time that will be spent away from these joys. Even homeowners with extensive prior experience in or around construction can run into difficulties, especially if they have demanding day jobs, because the amount of time required usually is greater than they expect. Furthermore, home improvement can be an addicting process. It's not uncommon to keep adding on more ideas as you go, which ultimately drives up the time spent, and not to mention the cost.
Th is article is certainly not meant to scare you away from performing a DIY project. Even with the hours and work put into it, weekends spent working on your home can be a bonding and gratifying experience for all involved. DIY projects can provide a sense of satisfaction from accomplishing everything on your own. Whatever your motivation, think through your project on a step–by–step basis and evaluate your costs before you begin. Then think about problems you could run into and how you plan to avoid them.
Sources: © 2007 Topeka Capital Journal. Publication date 2–25–07. www.nari.com
