DIY or Contractor: What Projects Require Professional Help

With so many renovation shows on air and thousands of DIY inspiration boards on Pinterest, its not surprising to see so many people attempting to save cash and tackle some of their remodeling projects themselves.

But is DIY really the more practical choice? Lets break down the pros and cons of doing remodeling projects yourself.

DIY vs contractor: factors to consider

There are plenty of things to evaluate when deciding whether a DIY job is the better choice. Here are some of them:

• Cost

  Often, the biggest reason why people choose to DIY is because they want to save some money. After all, labor is one of the most expensive parts of a renovation. However, just because youre doing it yourself doesnt mean its automatically cheaper. Sometimes, the pros can get materials for much less, so that adds to your savings. Also, the cost of salvaging a failed DIY project can be really high, so dont attempt anything above your skill level.

• Time, Tools, and Skill

  Do you actually have time to work on the project? If not, youre better off calling a professional. Home renovation projects often take a lot of time to do, especially if youre not that experienced. If you dont have power tools, a typical half-day job might take you two days to tackle. Also, if youre not that skilled, youre going to be spending a lot of time figuring out how to start, so keep that in mind too.

• Safety

  Some tasks like plumbing and electrical are simply too dangerous to do yourself. Never compromise your safety and the safety of everyone else at home just to save a few bucks. If you cant pay for a professional to do these dangerous jobs right now, then youre better off putting it off.

• Permit

  If the work is something that typically requires a building permit, then its probably too complicated to be done without the necessary skills, training, and experience. Its best to leave it to the pros.

Choosing what to DIY

If youre looking for things to DIY, there are still some things that are quite safe to do yourself. These include:

• Cosmetic changes

  Many cosmetic changes like painting, wallpapering, changing small fixtures, and so on are pretty safe to do yourself.

• Simple tiling and flooring work

  Changing your kitchen backsplash and installing vinyl or linoleum flooring can be done by an amateur.

What should you always leave to the professionals? Jobs that require special skills and safety precautions like electrical work, plumbing, HVAC work, and structural changes should always be handled by a licensed contractor.

If youre still unsure whether to go the DIY route or to hire a professional, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or NARI, made a quiz to help you decide. Answer these questions from NARI to know whats the better option for you!