People are often tempted to engage in DIY projects, even when they don’t 100 percent understand what they’re doing. While it’s important to venture into new hobbies and learn a thing or two along the way, there are certain things you need to consider about DIY jobs.
While you may be trying to save money, for example, DIY work can actually cost you much more in the long run. Sometimes, it’s best to hire a general contractor and avoid the headache of doing a project multiple times, violating city code, or worse.
Before embarking on your next DIY project, ask yourself the following questions.
1. Do You Know How?
First, do you really know what you’re doing? While anyone can look up a YouTube tutorial or home improvement blog to guide them through a project, doing so doesn’t make them an expert. It doesn’t even make them qualified to do the work.
While small projects such as patching small holes in drywall or replacing damaged trim can be accomplished by most, bigger jobs should always be left to the professionals who know what they’re doing. More often than not, home repair and renovation is not as straight forward as it seems.
Botching a project can cause damage to your home and create more expenses by creating the necessity to redo the work.
2. Is It Safe?
Perhaps the most important question you should ask yourself to determine whether or not you need a general contractor is, “is it safe?”
If there’s any part of a project that threatens your safety or the safety of the people you have helping you, do yourself and everyone else a favor and hire a professional. Hospital bills are typically more expensive than the cost of hiring a general contractor. Avoid risking your health and well-being in an attempt to save money.
3. Can Your Produce Quality, Lasting Work?
A professional general contractor will provide quality, long-lasting work. This serves multiple purposes.
First, professional work looks cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing. General contractors take pride in their work, whereas many homeowners operate with the mentality of “that will do.”
Additionally, professional work means durability. For example, if you hire a general contractor to build a deck for your back yard, you know it will stand the test of time, as well as looking professional.
4. Is It Up to Code?
Finally, many people forget about one important thing when doing DIY work – city coding. You may not like it, but you need a permit for most construction projects of your home. For example, building a deck, putting an addition on your house, and building a shed all require a permit from the city.
However, these things must be up to city coding regulation or you could face fines or be forced to deconstruct whatever it is you built. Alternatively, it could prevent you from selling your home in the future. A general contractor works with the city on a daily basis and is quite familiar with coding laws and standards.
Do You Need a General Contractor?
Do you have a big house project coming up? If you’re looking for the professional touch of a general contractor, contact us today. We offer services to help you improve your home from floor to ceiling, including roofs, decks, and everything in between.
