DIY projects are very popular in this modern age of Pinterest and the thousands upon thousands of blogs ranging all the way from homemade dog treat to the best way to mount the projector for your low-budget home theater.
However, when it comes to renovation, remodeling, and repairs, it might just be best to leave it to the professionals. Believe it or not, there are many intricacies related to construction and repairs that you might not know about.
The Level of Professionalism
The contractors were hired to professionally handle the remodeling or repairs of your home will be properly trained with the correct licenses and insurance under their belts. By having the correct licenses, the contractor is demonstrating a very high level of professionalism. In order to obtain these licenses, they had to complete a rigorous process of filling out a license registration application, acquiring a licence bond and liability insurance, providing proof of Worker’s Compensation Insurance, paying licensing fees, having or working for a licensed business, and then finally submitting all of the necessary documents along with the license registration application to the state. So in short, licensed contractors have the means to execute the job as clean and painless as possible.
Safety Regulation and Code
Another important thing to consider if you are contemplating undertaking your remodeling or repairs, you must still abide by construction regulations and code that is specific to your area. A professional will be well versed in this realm. Following these regulations and codes are important to ensure your general safety as well as prevent you from having to redo everything to code if you are wanting to sell your home.
If your project also happens to involve electrical work in any way, this is a whole other field with its own safety and codes to worry about. Much like a contractor being hired for construction, a professional electrician will be certified to handle all of the electrical needs safely and efficiently. A professional electrician also knows the ins and outs of the electrical codes and standards laid out in the National Electric Code. Without the proper knowledge of the field, electrical work is extremely dangerous and often complex, so why not leave it to the professionals?
Saving Money
Professional contractors are bonded and insured, meaning that if there are any damages to your home stemming from the project, the cost of it will be covered. This isn’t a safety net that exists for the average person undertaking a DIY project.
Hiring a professional often deters people due to the intimidating price, however, getting the job done efficiently and properly the first time around can end up saving a large sum of money in the long run. These professionals charge an average of $50-$100 an hour but remember that they are bonded and covered for any damages that they may accidentally cause to your home. If you decide to take on your renovations or repairs as a DIY project, keep in mind that if you don’t do it to code the first time, you’ll have to fork out more money and hire a professional to redo it. Hiring a professional is ensuring safety for both your home and your wallet.
Saving Time
Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, a DIY interior remodeling or repair project can take quite a bit of time to complete. With the help of a professional, you won’t have to worry about blocking off weekends to labor after a long week of work. Instead, a professional will save you hours or even days allowing you to have more time to spend relaxing or enjoying the beautiful outdoors with friends and family.
You don’t know what you don’t know, and that is fine. Just know that hiring the right person for the right job will save you both time and money.