Invariably, as a homeowner, a need for repair projects, renovations, and the like creep up as time and the weather takes their toll on your home. These repair projects are especially important when you’re getting ready to sell your home, as you’ll want your property to look as fabulous as possible for potential buyers. When you can no longer postpone a project, what do you do? Do you do it yourself (DIY)? Or find a handyman?
Before you pick up that hammer or wrench and attempt to undertake a project on your own because it’s a heck of a lot cheaper, it’s worthwhile to weigh the pros and cons of doing it yourself versus hiring a handyman. Pausing a moment to contemplate exactly what the project entails, and whether you can manage it, would be wise and smart, in case you end up ditching a project because it was more than you could chew.
Here are three considerations to take into account when mulling whether you should take on the home improvement project yourself or hire a professional to carry out the work instead.
Time and Project Commitment
Even if you consider yourself a handyman type of person, the factors of time and work commitment to the project are major considerations you must take into account. Timing is often of the essence when embarking on certain projects, especially those taking place outdoors. For example, if you need to spend some time getting your lawn looking spectacular (which, again, is super important when you’re selling your home), there may be some yard-related projects that fall outside the realm of your expertise.
This is where a seasoned professional such as Jamison Lawn Care has a leg up over you. Not only would they know how long the project would take and plan accordingly, they would have the time and commitment to pull through on the project. You, on the other hand, who might have commenced the project with romantic notions of playing handyman, might be crimped by day-job constraints, other time-absorbing obligations, and a poorer sense of seasonal timing.
The Right Tools
Homeowners interested in going down the DIY route often fail to think about, or own, the best tools to finish a project. While you may have nails and screws galore, the project may call for fancy, power tools that may not even be available in your local store. Even if you have the right tools, having the expertise to use them correctly and safely is important. After all, if you’re too casual about handling the power tool, you could lose a finger in the process. Just taking on a project without having a professional to guide you on how to best use a tool, means you could be playing with danger, at worst, or finishing the project shoddily, at best.
Generally, it’s best to avoid doing roofing, electrical, and advanced plumbing work on your own. For example, if you try to install your own toilet, you risk causing major damage to your home if the toilet leaks. While having a plumber install a toilet averages $371, this is a small price to pay to make sure the job is done correctly. Just keep in mind that a plumber may charge extra if they need to remove and dispose of your toilet.
Expected Expenses
Undertaking a DIY project will have expenses, but when all’s said and done, DIY costs are much lower than the labor costs involved in hiring a handyman. Indeed, labor constitutes a huge portion of total costs when you hire a pro. Your savings, when you go the DIY route, can range between 25-50 percent. However, this is only true if your work has few to no mistakes.
Mistakes can call for a do-over that is quite costly. Also, consider that a handyman would be able to obtain materials at a significantly lower price than you would at a retail store. Further, they have the range of tools needed for the project.
If you’re still uncertain as to whether you could cope with the home improvement project yourself, ask a handyman friend to give you advice, or even consider having a few handymen give you an approximate time and cost estimate of the project, asking them questions all the while. It’s a big decision to undertake property improvement projects, as a shoddy job could diminish the value of your property. Think the matter over carefully.
