Do-It-Yourself (DIY) has been the rage for many years, and many people have been exploring it as an additional skill, enhance their homes, or even start their small business dreams. DIY projects challenge every busy homeowner to create or build anything they can use in their home instead of hiring a professional to do it, which could cost more than doing it themselves.
You can find many of these DIY projects online; they promise to be easy, affordable and satisfying. But do DIY projects deliver on what they promise? Here is a guide on when to DIY or hire a professional to help you save up.
Pros and Cons
Both can satisfy you in different ways. You can gain control over a single detail by either doing a thing by yourself or merely discussing it with your contractor. You can be productive as well by either making yourself busy completing the task by yourself or just letting your contractor do the work while you accomplish other important tasks. You can also be satisfied with the result because it was done through your sweat and hard work, or it was done exactly the way you wanted because you hired skilled professionals to do it.
In terms of renovating your space, DIY can save you labor costs, contractor fees, and other related expenses. Home Co Lumber and Hardware even mentioned that labor costs could reach up to 30 percent of your total renovation budget when you hire professionals. They also advised that if you don’t have that said extra budget, then DIY is a good choice for you.
However, while thinking that you have saved up in labor cost, doing it yourself can eventually cost you even more in other aspects. Mistakes and errors are inevitable, especially if you are not skilled to do a certain task, this will cost you more by repeating the job and buying more materials to sustain it. It could also be a risk for your health. For example, home renovation might require materials that can jeopardize your health and safety.
On the other hand, professionals are skilled in their crafts, and in performing such works, you are paying for their expertise. It can give you the result you wanted and also can give you wider networks of professionals. Skilled professionals can deal with unexpected events during the project. The most common reason why people are not choosing to hire them is because of their cost.
If you also happen to be uneasy with a stranger entering your house, this might also be an addition to the disadvantages. There are also instances that tension and conflicts can arise between you and the contractor due to different ideas, but these conflicts are resolvable.
When To Do It?
For instance, you might want to build a fence to add more accent and security to your home. If you happen to have most of the tools to help you with the building, there is a chance that you are choosing to do it on your own. However, do not underestimate the amount of time you will actually spend on finishing this task.
Surprisingly, there are materials that are easy to install and can be d.i.y. These are metal fences that come with panels and kits to ensure it will be easy for you to install. If you are on a budget, an aluminum fence panel could be a good choice for you because it has less cost than the other types of metal.
When To Hire?
Let’s say you are planning to have a kitchen renovation. You have seen intricate design all over the internet, and you want that for your kitchen, but you don’t have the skills to do carpentry and other related skills. This is the time to put an effort to find a good contractor or professional to do it. A kitchen renovation is a huge project to do and will cost you effort and time if you will just d.i.y.
If it is a big project and involves a lot of spaces, it is better to hire a professional. It will benefit you in a way that you can profit more from your time and still be confident that corresponding results will be given.
Important Reminders
There is no harm in d.i.y for as long as you are well researched, and you have the set of skills needed to do a job or particular task. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with hiring a professional either especially when you are a busy person. It can help you generate more income by saving time doing certain tasks. It is really important for you to weigh the pros and cons so you will be able to come up with what fits you most.
Deciding over this is just a matter of how much you value your time, money, and effort. In either way, both of them require the things you value. The real question is, which of it will benefit you?
