Should You Use A Contractor Or Renovate Yourself

Many homeowners who want to renovate their house completely or partially, think of doing it themselves. While this choice will certainly bring down your remodeling costs and give you the satisfaction of redoing your abode yourself, it is easier said than done.

What value do general contractors bring? You may have this question when deciding to renovate your house. Renovations include many things where you may need qualified professionals. Certain tasks may even be dangerous if you are not trained for it.  But, with all the information guides and tools available online, one can learn how to DIY and spruce up the house without hiring a contractor.

Before you decide to do anything yourself, check out this list of pros and cons that will help you make an informed choice.

1. DIY tasks

Whether you can renovate the house on your own or you need to hire a contractor will depend on the scope of remodeling you have in mind. A partial renovation where you will just be changing the roofing, flooring, paint, tiles or kitchen cabinetry can be done by the homeowner. But if you are looking for a total remodeling, you will need the expertise of a contractor and hired labor to change or install new wiring, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

2. Safety

The safety of residents and the structure of the house is crucial. If you are not trained in plumbing or electrical work yourself, it is best to leave these jobs to professionals as they are dangerous and could cause you serious injury if something goes wrong. Also, if there are any errors in your calculation, or if you drill into a wrong portion of the walls, it could compromise the structural integrity of your house. This is a risk you must not take. Results like this can also bring down the value of your house.

3. Permits and regulations

Contractors are licensed and insured according to every state’s requirements. They work with local building inspectors and are aware of all the safety regulations and the construction permits that one needs to acquire. Contractors know exactly whom to hire for which task, as they have laborers they have worked with before.

If you choose to renovate yourself, you will have to find out on your own about all the local regulations and work accordingly.

4. Time

Renovating the house on your own gives you ample freedom. You can create your own timeline and work at your convenience. On the other hand, because renovation tasks are time consuming and complicated, you may spend too much time on it. A contractor could get the job done in less time as more people can be employed and different tasks can be taken up simultaneously.

5. Expenditure

There is no doubt that doing renovations yourself will surely save you money because you will not be paying the contractor or any overhead fees and your house value will increase after it. But a contractor can acquire materials for a lesser price. Also, banks will expect a licensed contractor to oversee the project if you are taking a loan for remodeling.