What to Ask Yourself Before Starting a DIY Home Project
What to Ask Yourself Before Starting a DIY Home Project
One of the most rewarding things about owning a home is making home improvements. Whether they are structural or cosmetic, practical or whimsical, or somewhere in between, the satisfaction you get from making a house your dream home cannot be overstated, and if and when you plan to sell, improvements can add value and/or curb appeal.
Home projects comes in all shapes and sizes and can require anywhere from a basic understanding of home repair to highly-specialized professional knowledge. Many people love the satisfaction that comes with do-it-yourself home repairs, and DIY projects have been increasing in popularity over the years.
Though many home improvements are perfect for the DIY attitude, there are also times when it’s best to hire a professional. Before you start your next DIY project, it’s important to ask yourself some basic questions.
Do I have the skills and tools to see it all the way through?
There’s nothing worse than getting started on a project only to learn that you are woefully unprepared. Before you start any DIY project, you must determine whether the skill level required to finish the job is over your head. Watch DIY videos and read tutorials. If you have trouble understanding those, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to magically find your way once you start the project. You also need to know every tool and material you’ll need to complete the job. If the cost of buying tools seems over-the-top, you may consider hiring professional.
What do I value more - time or money?
One of the most attractive aspects of DIY home repairs is that it saves on labor cost. If you do it yourself, all you have to shell out for is materials.
But many people fail to fully appreciate that their time is money. If you are too busy to start a home repair, your time may be worth way more than the money it costs to hire someone.
Do I care about perfection?
If you take your time and do your research, there’s no reason why you can’t nail a basic DIY project. But when it comes to more difficult tasks you have to ask yourself how much you value perfection. If the end result isn’t 100% perfect, will it bother you?
“Let’s face it, when you hire someone, there’s probably a better chance they’ll do it right the first time than if you were to take it on yourself. Remember, there’s a reason some people are paid to take on these types of projects. If getting the job done quickly and correctly is important to you, hiring a contractor might be your best bet,” says Quicken.
Professionals are that for a reason - experience and expertise. If you’re updating your house to sell, for instance, you may think twice before tackling that job yourself.
Is this project dangerous in any way?
This might be the most important question one must ask before beginning any home improvement. If you think you’re going to enter dangerous territory while completing a project, you may want to hire a professional. Major structural work, electrical, plumbing, and anything dealing with gas are particularly involved tasks. If you need permits or special consults before you can legally start a home repair, that might be a good time to think about taking it out of your own hands. If you do go the hiring route, it’s important to hire specialists for these types of jobs. There are plenty of online services that match you with dedicated professionals in your area.
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