When to DIY and When to Call a Professional
The decision to start a home DIY project is often difficult to make, with so many factors influencing your thoughts, such as truly understanding the difference between simple projects such as assembling or making your own shelves and larger, more difficult ones like renovating your bathroom, but when push comes to shove, we’re here to help you make that decision!
The decision will often come down to a “this vs. that” kind of situation, where you weigh the pros and cons of each side, so let’s take a look at several comparisons and take this step by step.
Safety
Certain projects can prove to be more than enough to actually cause us harm, tasks that look simple to us could often result in severe injuries that would send us straight to the hospital, so before anything, ask yourself just how dangerous the project looks, and if it is, is there any way to protect yourself and guarantee your safety? If things are looking unsure, it’s best to call a professional.
Pros are prepared to face dangerous situations and are always making sure that they have countermeasures set up to avoid such outcomes, along with their experience and knowledge on the project, investing in a pro’s work can save money when you factor in the potential hospital fees that it would cost if you attempted them.
Damage
Similar to the aforementioned safety discussion above, if you think that the project you’re undergoing can potentially damage your property, you should call a professional. Not only will they make the right calls when it comes to planning and the safety of your surroundings, they often come with deals that will reimburse you for any damage caused, and while that’s still an inconvenience, at least you didn’t have to spend on having it fixed.
On a similar note, certain projects require permits from the government, which would require pros to work on the project anyway, it’s always best to actually check in with those knowledgeable on the subject before starting.
Cost
The biggest plus of a DIY project is often saving a large sum of money when it comes down to things, while also getting the look that you want without any compromise if done right. Yet professionals are paid for their time and experience in the field, you need to take into account how long it’s going to take you to finish this project, and if you need it immediately or if you can take as long as you want. Any potential damage caused by your inexperience could lead to higher costs.
On the other hand, professionals are looking to make a buck on this and may attempt to convince you to invest in materials that are worth more than the project actually needs, costing more in the long run. It’s always best to consult more than one professional when it comes to this in order to compare prices, and to be on the lookout for cheaper materials that you can find and purchase on your won.
In the end, it all comes down to fully understanding what you’re getting into, and while going DIY may not always be the best choice, sometimes it helps to learn for future purposes, saving you money in the long run, while becoming a fun, productive hobby!
- Tags: DIY & Renovation
