Before you start your next home project, ask yourself if it’s worth it to DIY or hire a professional.
You’re sitting on the couch watching your favorite home improvement channel, or you’re browsing the Internet and come across a great home project you’d love to create.
Maybe it’s a raised-bed garden, a beautifully built-in bookcase, or a wall tunnel for your cat.
Whatever it is, you’re probably saying to yourself, “That looks easy. I can do that.”
Hold up.
Before you make yourself into Tim “The Toolman” Taylor with your epic flub in home renovations, ask yourself if you’re really capable of getting the job done.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Do I have the time?
Home improvement projects rarely go as planned and can be more time-consuming than they initially seem.
Nothing is as easy as the pros make it look, so make sure you have a realistic time frame in mind and that you can continue the project if something goes wrong.
If you don’t have the time (sorry, you really can’t finish your whole basement in a weekend), think about hiring a contractor.
Do I have the knowledge?
If you have extensive experience in plumbing, feel free to replace that toilet or relocate your shower.
You may want to consider taking a class or consulting a professional if the answer is no.
If you are familiar with electricity and understand codes and safety measures, then you can likely add lights or outlets safely without much concern.
However, if you find yourself thinking, “I need to YouTube this,” and it involves gas, fire, electricity, or water, the safe bet is to pay someone else to do it or invest in a good class that can show you how to do it safely.
Don’t let your ego be the reason your house floods or burns to the ground!
Do I have the patience?
This aspect is often underestimated, but the reality is that many people get frustrated with home projects and tend to leave them unfinished.
If you’re a couple starting a project, keep in mind that this may either be a bonding experience or a “You’re sleeping on the couch” experience. There tends to be no middle ground.
If you have little tolerance for things going wrong or for minor injuries you may acquire, consider hiring a professional and relax while someone else does the work.
Which is more expensive: Doing the work or hiring a professional?
Another important factor in deciding whether to DIY or outsource your project is determining if you can afford it.
Strangely enough, it often ends up being more expensive to do it yourself, as you may buy more product than you need, or you may mess up entirely and have to go purchase items again.
Also, you’re spending your time and energy, and time is money! Often, a contractor can complete the job in half the time you can, and they receive discounts on the products and appliances they need to get the job done.
While it may be less exciting than doing it yourself, you may save money in the long run. And you’ll be supporting local business by doing so!
This article was originally published on February 4, 2016.