Home Improvements: Should you Do It Yourself or hire a contractor?

Learn how to decide whether to DIY your home improvement project or to hire a professional

When it comes to home improvement, “How to” videos on YouTube, online articles and TV shows have motivated many homeowners to tackle their own projects.

But before you dive into your next home improvement project, take a look at our guidelines to help you decide if the project is right for you – or if you should hire a professional contractor instead.

Before you act, ACT!

ACT stands for ability, cost, and time. Use these guidelines to help you assess your project from start to finish, before you begin.

Ability

Your ability to complete the project should be the first thing you consider. It’s best to outline the exact scope of your home improvement project early on to make sure that things don’t get out of hand.

How big do you want this project to get?

We’ve all seen it before. You plan for a simple job. Later, you find that the little “quick fixes” you’ve added along the way start to overwhelm you to the point where it turns into a much bigger job than originally intended. Do your research, set project goals, and stick to them.

Safety is key.

Don’t get into a big project like plumbing or electrical work if you are inexperienced. Our advice: if a project can harm you or damage your home, then you’re better off leaving it to a pro. The last thing you want to do is electrocute yourself or fall off your roof! If you haven’t handled a project involving plumbing, electrical work, HVAC or structural changes before, it’s better to be safe than sorry – hire an experienced professional contractor instead.

Cost

A DIY project is a great way to save some cash if you know what you’re doing. But if you’re inexperienced, the extra cash it may cost to get a pro could be worth it for the premium workmanship they can provide for your home.  

What if something goes wrong?

A mistake on your part may mean spending more to fix the issue. Smaller home improvement projects may be cheaper, but when thinking about bigger jobs, you should consider hiring a pro whose work is guaranteed to last. Always hire a licensed contractor. It’ll save you a headache – and possibly a paycheck.

Can teamwork make the dream work?

What if you did some of the fun work yourself and left the more technical stuff to a contractor? Known as a hybrid approach, splitting the work between yourself and a professional can be an easy way to save some cash while getting to do the fun parts yourself!

Time

Time is a precious commodity that can easily go to waste on time-consuming home improvement projects. It’s important to eliminate the unforeseen by doing as much research and planning as you can. As you may soon realize, projects that sound easy on paper are actually anything but in reality!

How much time will it take?

A realistic estimate of how long your project will take is essential. Research online and talk to friends or neighbors who’ve completed similar projects to give yourself a good idea.

Any deadlines?

When do you want to have your project completed by? Remember to spread out the work, give yourself plenty of extra time and don’t try to tackle too much at once. If you’re likely to put off finishing a large-scale project, this is an indicator that you’d sleep better at night knowing your project is safe in someone else’s hands.

Time for ACTion!

Before starting any type of home improvement project, it’s important that you do the research and ask if it’s really something you can handle yourself. The more you understand the complexities of the project, the better the results will be for you and your home.

If you’ve decided that hiring a professional is the way to go, consider giving Moreno & Moreno a shout! As experienced contractors, we’ve been providing high-quality home improvement services for homeowners like you for over 18 years.

We are leaders in the installation of seamless gutters for homes in the Central Florida area. Our expertise doesn’t end there: we’re also experts in designing and installing railings, screen enclosures, and soffits. You can learn more about all of the services we offer here. Contact us to book your free estimate today.

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