Home improvements: DIY vs. contractors
Home improvements can not only add to the value of your property, but they can also be exciting to tackle. But ask yourself: Should you do it yourself or hire a contractor? Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should. Some jobs you may be able to handle yourself, while others are better left to the professionals.
Before doing any home projects, consider these three points: Safety, experience, and time.
Your safety
Assess the project’s safety concerns before deciding whether to do the work yourself or hiring a professional.
Some home projects you face may involve a level of difficulty or danger. Consider whether some projects may cause you or your home harm if you try them yourself. For instance, some jobs such as roofing or major electrical work could injure you. Other jobs such as plumbing could cause major damage to your home.
More importantly, some projects require a permit, guaranteeing the job was done safely and in accordance with codes. Each city or town has its own rules on what requires a permit and its costs. Make sure to check with your city or town on what projects need permits. Needing a permit may be one sign the job is too complicated to do it yourself.
Your experience
Consider your skill level before taking on a project. If you love doing DIY projects, choose something small to start. There may be low-risk projects such as removing wallpaper, sanding, or replacing faucets that are easy to learn. You can find how-to videos, books, and even TV channels to teach you how to handle easy repairs.
If it’s a specialized project that requires more expertise, call in the professionals. You could risk your safety and property if you tried to do it yourself. It could cost you more money to fix your mistakes.
Your time
Time is money so remember to weigh your options to determine if it’s worth more to DIY or hire a contractor. Find out how much a professional versus the DIY cost. Then determine the time it will take to complete the project.
If the project is simple, you can save money and time by doing the job yourself. More difficult projects should be left for the pros.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with Adirondack Bank. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. Adirondack Bank is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the information provided or the content of any third-party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. Adirondack Bank makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.
