25 Apr DIY or Hire a Pro? When to Seek Help with Your Home Projects

With some home projects, deciding to DIY makes sense budget-wise. And you can’t help but appreciate the personal satisfaction and bragging rights that come with completing a project on your own. But, how do you know if you have what it takes?  Should you DIY or hire a pro? And when should you seek help with your home projects?

Here, we set out some guidelines to help you determine whether or not DIY is the right course for you. It requires some brutal and honest self-appraisal of your skills, time, and talent. If you approach a project without these necessary factors and have to turn to a pro to fix your mistakes, it could cost you significantly more in the long run. Not only that but many projects involving plumbing, electrical, and gas require a certified tradesman to complete the repairs, renovations, or remodeling. Failing to do so could put you and your family and neighbors at risk. 

Yes, DIY Saves Money But is It Truly Doable?

According to the website Thumbtack, contractors charge, on average, $50 an hour. But general contracting rates may fall anywhere between $30 to $85 an hour. That means up to 30% of your budget goes to pay the contractor. If you have a fair-sized project contractor costs alone can be very high. That’s why many homeowners in the Quad Cities area find themselves wondering whether to DIY or hire a pro. 

Looking at it from a purely budgetary perspective you can see why it might make sense to attempt to DIY your home project. But a DIY project may prove impractical, given your skill set, dangerous, or even illegal for you to do. But, don’t stress when deciding to DIY or hire a pro. It doesn’t have to be complicated at all. Before you decide to DIY you should weigh the different factors ( ability, safety, and time) and determine if the project is one you can do yourself.

Practical Guidelines to Help You Determine Whether to DIY or Hire a Pro

Before you go through all the necessary steps to prepare for a DIY, here are some guidelines to consider.

Is it Safe for You?

Balancing on a ladder while replacing shutters or painting your home may sound simple enough, but it comes with significant risks of falling. Trimming trees is another dangerous DIY. Handling certain power tools with which you are unfamiliar is also pretty risky to your physical health. The best way to approach a situation when you’re deciding whether to DIY or hire a pro is by asking yourself the question “ Could I be killed or suffer serious injury while undertaking this project?” If the answer is yes then maybe rethink the DIY. The money you save isn’t worth the risk. 

It’s a safer bet, if your project poses a threat to your health and wellbeing, to hire a pro. These are skilled and licensed tradesmen, insured and bonded, who can likely complete your repairs or renovations in far less time than you can. They also have the tools and other components of the project. 

In some neighborhoods and municipalities, only licensed and approved professionals are permitted to do specific projects. Check with your HOA or local government to help you decide if you should DIY or hire a pro. 

Do You Have the Know-How to DIY Your Project?

Small home improvement projects typically aren’t too difficult. Painting, installing a fence, or replacing a storm door are all pretty easy DIY projects and you still earn the bragging rights. 

When it comes to the more difficult projects like installing or replacing pipes,  re-bricking your chimney, or replacing or installing anything that is electrical or involves the gas line requires specific knowledge and skills. As stated above, certification may be required. 

Also, if you bite off more than you can chew project-wise you may end up calling in a professional to fix your mistakes and finish your project. The last thing you want to do is damage your home or cause an accident. If you don’t possess the skills to tackle a project then don’t DIY. Hire the pro.

Do You Have the Time?

There’s a significant time commitment when you DIY any home project. You need to be realistic about that. Many amateurs approach a home renovation thinking the time commitment to be far less than it actually is. Major home projects can take weeks or even months. And that’s whether you DIY or hire a pro. 

Take a look at your project and determine just how time-sensitive it is. And whether or not you need to complete it while the outdoor temperatures are warm, like a deck or patio, or if the project can go forward without an absolute must-be-done-by date, such as finishing your basement. Also, consider work permits if they are required. Check with your local governing agency and add time to obtain permit approval if you DIY or hire a pro.

If time is a factor you should probably consider going with the professional contractor.

No Matter if You DIY or Hire a Pro

At Seiffert Building Supplies we understand homeowners in the Quad Cities like to DIY as much as possible. We get it. We do too! That’s why Seiffert Building Supplies offers professional and knowledgeable staff to help with project support. Before you decide to DIY or hire a pro contact Seiffert Building Supplies. 

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