Realty Times April 9, 2002

Tackle Your Home Improvement Project Yourself or Hire a Pro?
by Michele Dawson

You've made countless trips to the huge home improvement warehouse to gather ideas. You've researched projects in magazines and on the Internet. And you've summoned the opinions of family and friends. It's finally time to begin working on that project you've been thinking about for months.

Whether your goal is to increase energy efficiency, bring your 1970s-décor kitchen into the new century, or add some much-needed space, you'll face the crucial question of whether to join the ranks of the do-it-yourselfer or hire a general contractor to handle your job.

With so many classes offered by the home improvement stores and extensive guidance available on the Internet, embarking on a project on your own is often enticing. And the numbers prove that more people are pursuing home improvement projects - Home Depot's 2001 fourth-quarter earnings skyrocketed 53 percent over the prior year. Lowe's profits soared 55 percent.

As home values continue to appreciate in tight markets and Baby Boomers reach their peak earning years, home and nesting are in the spotlight, resulting in an emphasis on home improvement projects.

If you're pursuing a project, you'll want to carefully assess its requirements and your abilities in determining whether you want to undertake it yourself or hire a professional.

As you weigh the two possibilities, you'll want to think about:

  • Whether you have a clear understanding of what you want your project to look like. Do you have a picture of something you've seen in a magazine, or do you need someone to help you define the vision of your project?

  • Time. If you work full-time, you'll need to factor in how many weekends it will take to finish the project. And, nine times out of ten, it will take you longer than you think it will.

  • Your experience with similar projects.

  • What materials you'll need to complete the project. Are you sure you know about all of the materials involved?

  • Building codes. Will your project fall under building code requirements? Are you familiar with the codes?

  • The extent of the physical labor involved.

  • The tools involved. Do you have all that are required?

  • The required skills. If you don't have the necessary skills, are you willing to take the time and money to acquire the skills to complete the project?

  • Assistance. If you do the project yourself, do you need someone to help you? Is someone with the appropriate skills available?

  • Safety issues.

  • The architectural structure of your home. Do you know what will happen if you knock down a wall? How will it affect the rest of the house?

  • The hidden costs - time, tools, and the possibility that you may actually decrease the value of your house if your work doesn't measure up to professional standards.

    In summary, you'll want to factor in every aspect of the project when deciding whether to pursue it yourself or hire a general contractor. It's easy to look only at the price of labor and materials. But you should also consider the supplementary services that a general contractor provides - the experience, the right tools for your project, a network of suppliers and subcontractors, and an understanding of legal and code issues, as well as the latest industry techniques - when weighing your options.

    Or, you may decide that you want to take a few classes or do some extra research, perhaps even call on a friend who has embarked upon a similar project. Whichever route you decide to take, make sure you feel comfortable and confident, particularly if you're making a big financial investment.


    • Copyright © 2002 Realty Times. All Rights Reserved.

    With an award winning staff of writers providing up to the minute real estate news and advice, thousands of REALTORS® in North America reporting daily market conditions, and a nationally broadcast television news program, Realty Times is the one-stop shop for real estate information. That's why over 10,000 real estate professionals have turned to us for their publicity needs.