Attempting to tackle a home remodel can sound enticing, but often homeowners are overwhelmed and find themselves biting off more than they can chew.
Here’s 10 reasons to consider hiring a contractor instead of doing the project yourself.
- Forecasting Issues
A quality contractor has years of experience in the trade, and is well trained on what can go wrong when things are not done properly. A small oversight can lead to a massive problem down the line. Seeing these problems and addressing them can save you money and headaches in the long run.
There are hundreds of details and decisions to be made. Keeping the end in mind and being able to visualize the final product, we keep the project running smoothly and ensure it looks as if it’s meant to be.
- Minimizing Headaches
With all of the commotion that comes along with construction, it can get frustrating trying to juggle your project with all of the other things in your life.
Remodeling or building should be a joy, not an inconvenience. If you’re always trying to squeeze in time to work on your house, it’s going to be a burden more than a reward for you.
- Scheduling & Coordinating Trades
With even a small project, there is lot that goes into it. Having the manpower and resources to fully devote time to your home improvement plans is quite time consuming.
Coordinating all of the trades and working within their schedules can be frustrating. Forecasting when the project will be ready for each trade is a tricky task so scheduling them when each trade will be available, is where a general contractor is extremely helpful.
- Liability
Does your homeowner’s insurance cover the damage if something goes wrong while you’re working on your home?
A quality contractor will carry the proper insurance, including general liability and worker’s compensation. This will take the risk off of you and protect you in case something bad occurs.
- Eye for Design
When you are engulfed in the world of construction and working on houses, you develop an eye for what looks right. Having an architect or designer on your team dramatically increases the chances of your project looking great for years to come.
Ever see ideas on Pinterest or Houzz that you love but don’t quite work in your exact situation? Hiring a contractor that is knowledgeable on how things go together can help you bring your ideas to life. They can combine all of those magazine clippings into one cohesive look that looks as though it was meant to be.
- Knowledge of Products & Materials
The products and materials in residential construction are constantly changing and developing. New improvements are released every day. From building science and the home’s envelopes to smart home technology and appliances, the industry is progressing fast. Staying current on what is out there can mean the difference between a project that is “blah”, or the one that’s the envy of the neighborhood.
Our advice for if you do decide to work with a contractor is discuss with them all the options they have available for your situation. You can always say “no” but it’s nice to know that new products and materials are out there.
- Tools for the Job
A typical project requires dozens of tools that are used daily. From common hand tools, to task-specific power tools, knowing what the right tool for the job can take some research.
A quality contractor is constantly investing in their tools to better perform the task at hand. Having all the tools needed for a certain job comes at an expense, not to mention all of the consumables. These include things like saw blades and sandpaper, that are used up frequently.
- Cost
People will often choose to DIY something to try and save money, and that is perfectly understandable. Hiring a reputable contractor is not cheap, but in the long run it often pays off.
Sometimes a task may look approachable and a “piece of cake” but as you dig into it, you realize it’s the opposite. Before you know it, you’ve opened up a can of worms and caused more damage than what was there before. At this point, a contractor’s price will be even more than what they would have originally quoted. Not to mention the time and materials you already sunk into the project.
- Experience
Perfecting our craft on a daily basis allows us to continually improve the quality of work we can produce. Having a contractor that specializes in a certain area can prevent some the mistakes that will be eye-sores and ruin the overall look.
- Time
Do you ever feel like the days just fly by? You sometimes struggle to find the time to do the things you love or spend time with those you love? Years can go by between the time you have an idea for a project, to the time you actually have time to do the project yourself. The only thing standing in between enjoying that new space, is actually getting that new space completed.
Time is something you never get back. Hiring a contractor for your next project gives you more time back to do the things you really love.