Home may be where the heart is, just as the saying goes. Nevertheless, the time for change will come in some form. Eventually, you might want to move to a different location altogether. Or you may simply need a change in your current surroundings.
One thing that is inevitable as a homeowner is that you will need to make repairs and upgrades at some point. The process begins with the thought, “I want to renovate my house. Where do I start?“
When the idea takes hold, you will have several decisions to make. One of the first forks in the road will be whether to take on a DIY home renovations vs hiring a contractor. Today, we’ll talk about the advantages and possible pitfalls of both options.
Do you want to know what your home might be worth if you listed it in today’s market? Find out by booking a complimentary home evaluation with our team.
The Value of DIY Home Renovation
If you’ve recently obtained a quote from a renovation contractor, the sticker shock may tempt you to handle it yourself. The costs of materials and labour have never been cheap, but they are notably more expensive lately.
Taking care of repairs and upgrades yourself will save you money up front. Perhaps even more importantly, there’s a certain pride and sense of accomplishment once everything is completed to your satisfaction.
The Risks of DIY Home Renovation
Removing the labour portion of the expense can feel like a substantial savings. However, the intangible costs can outweigh the benefits if you’re not careful. As real estate agents, we have seen our share of poorly performed DIY home renovations and “improvements.” You should only ever consider taking on a job yourself if you have the skills and qualifications to do it to a high standard.
Otherwise, home renovation DIY with no experience can be disastrous, costing far more in the end than if you brought in an experienced renovation contractor from the beginning. If you make mistakes, you will have to redo the repairs or bring in a contractor to fix them. This can mean buying more materials, which are expensive to start with. In addition, think of how long it will take to complete your vision. Time is also money, and waiting can be the hardest cost to bear.
Lastly, remember that DIY renovations may not always be safe. Electrical work and other sensitive projects are better left to licensed professionals unless you have sufficient training to perform them.
Your home is one of your most substantial financial assets. The posts below can help you maintain and maximize your home’s value:
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Working With a Contractor
Hiring a home renovation contractor may seem more expensive when you see the numbers on paper. This is arguably the only drawback of working with a skilled professional.
Think of it another way. There’s a good chance your upgrades will cost less at the end of the day by bringing in a qualified contractor. The reason is you will get it right the first time, with no need to backtrack and fix DIY home improvement mistakes.
How long does it take to renovate a house? When doing it yourself, it can feel like forever. With an experienced renovation contractor, it can happen faster than you realize. There’s also something to be said about not having to lug around heavy materials or toil away during the hot summer months.
A skilled and licences home renovation contractor will usually result in a better final product, done to a more exacting standard. If you ever decide to sell your home, this can lead to a higher selling price. This potential increase in your equity can be a significant financial advantage that most people never even think about. Keep in mind that home inspectors and buyer agents will be on the lookout for shoddy, DIY home renovation and repairs that could lead to problems later on.
Do you need to find a tradesperson you can trust with your home in Guelph or the Tri-Cities? Begin your search by browsing Our Preferred Vendors.
Planning to sell your home? The posts below will help you plan for a successful transaction:
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Hiring a Contractor Checklist
After weighing your options in the debate of DIY Home renovations Vs hiring a contractor, you likely will be seeing the wisdom of using a licensed home renovation contractor. In that case, let’s talk about how to hire a contractor for home renovations. When interviewing potential candidates, be sure to go well beyond asking “how much?” Having a list of well thought out questions can help you select the right fit.
What to Ask a Contractor Before Hiring:
A great question to start with when interviewing home renovation contractors is: “Can you walk me through what this project will look like from start to finish?” Their answer will give you an idea of their process, how long you can expect the upgrade to take, as well as how well they will communicate with you. These other questions will also help you find the right home renovation contractor for you.
- What are some of the most common issues we might face and what can I do to avoid them? This gives you some insight into how well they handle problems without having to get confrontational.
- Will you be working with an in-house team or do you select subcontractors? It’s important to know who is working on your home, as well as who your key point of contact will be.
- How will you protect my home during the renovation? Safety is always paramount, and this shows that they respect your space and your security.
- What warranties do you offer? Most tradespeople do not offer a money-back guarantee. This makes sense given how much time and physical labour is involved. However, they should have some kind of system to back up their promises.
- Are there any other expenses I should be prepared for? A contractor will provide a quote beforehand, but things can change. Confirming your budget ahead of time allows you to account for the unexpected.
A local real estate agent can usually provide you with an extensive list of professionals with an excellent track record. Still, there’s no substitute for your own due diligence to ensure you end up with results you and potential buyers will be happy with.
Are you in the beginning stages of selling your home? Our top Guelph real estate agents can help you succeed in any market. Reach out today at info@gowylde.ca or call 519-826-7109 for more information.
