Remodeling Talk... Hire a Pro or Do It Yourself?

At Bella Vista Company, about 20% of our work now comes from xing DIY debacles. at’s why we believe every weekend warrior should know when to enlist the help of a professional in order to complete projects safely and properly. With these considerations, you’ll be able to make an informed decision for your next project.

Experience

If you have “apprenticed” and helped to complete a similar project, you may be ready to DIY. Similarly, if you have taken courses that have taught you the skills, steps, and techniques involved, you may not need to hire a pro. If you’ve only seen a project being done (especially on TV), keep in mind that professionals can make highly complex work seem unrealistically simple.

Skill Set

We recommend writing down the list of skills your project will require, and the skills that you have developed or learned in past projects or courses. If there’s a small gap, the project may enable you to improve your DIY skills without too much risk. But if the gap is wide, avoid the human tendency to bridge it with con dence. False con dence is the source of the emergency calls we get when projects go awry. If only they could show these calls on HGTV!

Understanding the Steps

If you know the end result, but have trouble putting together a detailed plan of action, hire a pro. If you’re able to research and nd plans, but then nd the instructions unclear or beyond your skill set, it’s also best to call a pro.

Safety and Building Codes

If certain steps in a project seem dangerous or physically beyond your comfort and experience level, don’t take it on yourself. In fact, safety issues are o en under-anticipated. So research and understand the safety risks in every step of the project rst. Familiarize yourself with all the tools and materials you’ll need to use before making the determination to do it yourself. Feel free to call us if you need more information about what your project will involve.

For projects requiring electrical work or plumbing work, professional certi cations are o en legally required to complete the project up to “code”. Not getting professional help can lead to safety risks, insurance penalties, legal sanctions, and failures down the road if you make a mistake. Hire a pro unless you have signi cant training and you’re certain you can handle any consequences should mistakes occur.

Consideration #1: Time

With today’s 50+ hour workweeks, and the obligations most of us have in our scarce free time, buying a little more downtime is a decision you probably won’t regret.

The Handyman Test

Still not sure what call to make? If a handyman service in your area can do the project, a strong do-it-yourselfer probably can too. While we don’t o er handyman services, we can certainly help you understand what steps you should take to make your project a success, big or small.

Why hire a pro for your major remodeling project?

• Pros work in compliance with local building codes and regulations.

• Pros handle the required electrical, plumbing and building permits.

• Pros can finish the job in a fraction of the time it takes to DIY.

• Pros can often purchase materials at a much lower cost than homeowners. offsetting a percentage of the labor cost.

• Pros own the right tools for the job, and know how to use them.

• Your experience, skill set, and knowledge fall short of what your project requires.

• Your night and weekend hours are limited.

• You want the peace of mind that the job is done right.

• You’re concerned with resale value and documentation of renovations.