Whenever we think about carrying out improvements to our homes, there’s one question that consistently crops up – should I DIY or hire a professional? Hiring trades saves time and effort while DIYing saves money. So, it can be hard to decide which is the best option. However, asking yourself a few quick questions should give you the answer.
How big is the project?
The first question to ask yourself is how big a home improvement project is it? Large jobs that involve a lot of structural work and heavy lifting will be too much for the average DIYer. Not only do you need multiple pairs of hands to do things like installing steel beams, laying concrete floors and replacing roofs but you need the right skills to ensure they’re done properly. Any structural work needs to be sound, otherwise you could be putting you and your family in danger. And working at height is hazardous without the right safety training and equipment.
Major renovation work such as extensions and loft conversions also need to meet current building regulations for things such as structural integrity, fire protection and energy performance. Few of us know enough about these standards or how to meet them but architects, structural engineers and builders do. So, you really need these professionals to make sure your renovations are approved by building inspectors. Once approved, you’ll get a certificate of completion. This is an essential document to have if you ever plan to sell your house.
What’s involved?
Some small home improvement projects can be simple and straightforward whereas others can be far more complex. So, it’s a good idea to consider what’s involved in a project before you decide whether to do it yourself.
Certain jobs involve more hazards and some can only legally be carried out by professionals. For instance, anything involving gas, including pipework and appliances, can only be done by a Gas Safe engineer. And although it’s fine to do small jobs such as changing a light fitting yourself, most electrical work should be done by a qualified electrician to ensure it’s safe, meets building regulations and can be certified.
Of course, even for minor electrical jobs, you’ll still need to have a consumer unit that’s up to standard and know how to switch the power off to the wiring you’re working on. If you have any doubts whatsoever, you should hire an electrician.
Hazards aren’t always so obvious though. If you’re living in a home that hasn’t undergone any major refurbishments in a long time, there can be plenty of hidden dangers such as lead paint and asbestos. So, you really need to stop and think about the complexity of a project first and decide whether you can comfortably deal with problems and hazards that might crop up along the way.
What kind of finish am I after?
If you want a really good finish to your home improvements, then it’s absolutely worth bringing in the professionals to help you achieve that. For instance, carpenters and joiners can make sure that woodwork such as skirting boards and architraves are perfectly fitted while decorators can make sure that paintwork looks smooth and wallpaper patterns are perfectly aligned.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that getting a good finish takes time, especially when you’re doing it yourself. Filling, sanding, caulking and other fiddly jobs are often necessary before you can do the fun decorating tasks such as painting. So, sometimes, it’s wise to hand these jobs to someone else to do, while you focus on the less time-consuming tasks like hanging curtains and artwork and choosing furniture.
How much time have I got?
Time is one of the most important factors to consider when you’re trying to decide whether to DIY or hire a professional. Realistically, how much free time do you have to spend on DIY? And is this the best use of your time?
It’s easy to think you can put a flatpack kitchen together yourself but if you’re trying to juggle work and childcare, it might take far too long to complete. And that means you’re left without a working kitchen, putting a strain on family life.
Even if you do have plenty of free time, it’s not always the best use of your time. If you’re working in a stressful job all week, it might make more sense to have some downtime or quality time with family and friends rather than doing DIY.
What skills and tools do I have?
Although you may save money by doing some work yourself, you are going to need some basic skills, a good deal of confidence and the right tools. Buying a whole set of tools just to do one small job isn’t really going to save you much money but if you’re planning to do lots of small DIY projects it can be more worthwhile. To give you an idea of what’s involved with small repair and improvement projects, it’s a good idea to take a look at some home how to guides and cost guides. This will help you decide whether something is achievable as a DIY job and determine what sort of budget you’ll need to get the trades in.
