Any homeowner will agree, custom renovations can be a very costly undertaking. The temptation always exists to do things a little cheaper and hope that the results are satisfactory. You may think that doing it yourself will save a lot of money. Though, more often than not, going the DIY route can end up being a lot more expensive than a professional contractor.
As an avid DIYer, I’ve always believed that it’s beneficial to do repairs and renovations myself. I’m probably the best person to declare that this is not always the best solution. It’s important to understand our limitations. If you don’t have the expertise and experience to get the job done, you’ll probably end up wasting a lot of time and money attempting to do it yourself.
After squandering valuable dollars and countless hours of your time, you will invariably have to hire a contractor to complete your custom renovation.
Why You Should Hire a Contractor
You may consider yourself a fairly accomplished DIY renovator. If you’ve had some success installing shelves or fixing a few lighting fittings, it could seem like a bright idea to take on bigger projects. It can be fun and is certainly quite rewarding. There’s a real sense of pride in saying “I did that”.
As great as DIY can be, you need to understand that there is a vast difference between doing some basic carpentry or a small electrical repair and completing a full kitchen or bathroom renovation. There are many skills involved. The materials are expensive. Even the smallest mistake could be disastrous.
Here are a few reasons why you may want to hire a skilled contractor specializing in custom renovations.
Construction is Time Consuming
One of the biggest DIY mistakes is underestimating the amount of time it takes to complete a renovation project. Without the benefit of prior experience, you think you can complete your project within a week or two. After working hard all week, you set about spending your weekends labouring at home. Before you know it, weeks have gone by, and your home is still a chaotic construction site.
A professional contractor knows exactly what it takes to complete a custom renovation on time. They know which sub-contractors should be employed and when to schedule each stage of the project.
Skills and Tools
Renovation work usually requires a broad spectrum of specialized skills, like carpenters, plumbers, electricians, tilers, and more. As the old saying goes, a jack-of-all-trades is a master of none. Each of these specialized trades requires the correct tools for the job.
Usually, buying all the tools needed for a single renovation will cost more than hiring a contractor in the first place.
An experienced contractor has built up a network of the best, skilled artisans over many years. This means you have the peace of mind that you’re getting quality work that is completed on time.
Safety
Contractors know the risks involved. Injuries, resulting from inexperience are all too common when DIYers attempt to do work that they have never done before.
Apart from the risk of personal injury, incorrect construction methods, or amateur plumbing and electrical installations, can be detrimental. Contractors are licensed professionals. They are familiar with all the building, electrical, and plumbing codes.
Permits and Licenses
A custom renovation requires the right paperwork. Most municipalities have regulations regarding certain types of construction projects. As a layman, you are probably not aware of what permits are required and how to meet specific building requirements.
Electrical, plumbing, and gas installations must be performed by licensed professionals in order to comply with regulations.
Peace of Mind
A reputable contractor provides a warranty on the work they have done, and the materials used. This means that you can rest easy at night, knowing that you won’t have any nasty surprises if something goes wrong. A licensed contractor has worked hard to earn a reputation for quality work and will endeavour to maintain their good standing.
To ensure that your custom renovation is a success, you need to be sure that you engage the services of a contractor that you can trust. Do a little research. Make sure that the contractor you choose is certified and licensed.
Good references and customer reviews will and that extra peace of mind, knowing that a contractor is serious about customer relations and their long-term reputation.
Contact the Pros
When it comes to custom renovations, it’s always a good idea to trust professional contractors with the bulk of the work. A viable contractor is the best way to ensure that you are able to get what you need from the job.
