When embarking on a home renovation, every serious homeowner will ask him/herself questions relating to what she can do on herself. If you are ready to get your hands dirty, the work might involve more than you expect. Depending on your budget, you might need to leave some things to professionals. Moreover, to renovate a home, you do not have to purchase everything. You should buy some things and hire others.
Hire a professional when planning
Before you start the home renovation project the DIY way, you have to consider everything that is on your “to-do” list, considering the timeframes and costs. At times, it will be important to engage someone who can think strategically about the whole project. Figure out the entire scope of the renovation work and break down the phasing and strategizing process. For large scale renovations, engage a person to inspect every system in your home and a contractor or architect to propose the plan and offer bids. Professionals will alert you on the most urgent fixes. The roof might be one of the areas that might require immediate attention.
Buy materials you need
One of the major things you will easily take on involves purchasing your personal equipment, materials, and appliances. Cabinetry, tiles, kitchen and bathroom fixtures and doors are some of the materials you can purchase on your own or salvage from the flea market or antique stores.
You should choose the bargain-oriented places when shopping for wood or tile. Moreover, consider professional advice so that you can know how the finishing will work together. A contractor or architect will guide you on matters relating to sizing and quantities. Some homeowners make the mistake of ordering the materials before they get to the installation stage. Fence hire is common.
Engage a pro for the structural repairs
During your home renovation process, you should not affect any structural member. If your home is very old, expect structural wear that will necessitate the services of a contractor for the upgrading tasks – and at times a structural engineer.
Do light demolition the DIY way
Do not take a chainsaw or a sledgehammer to start demolition the walls of your house by yourself. Some of the demolitions that necessitate a professional include taking down an unwanted appliance, cabinet, fixture or tile work pulling up carpeting or floorboards and moldings will require a professional.
The cosmetics
In the cosmetics part, a homeowner has more flexibility. You do not need the approval to change the cosmetics of your home and the internet offers numerous helpful DIY resources. Videos will teach you how to apply brick mortar, plasterwork, recreate ceiling moldings, strip woodwork and install tile work. Do the projects in a way that you could easily undo them.
Electricity, gas, and plumbing
If there is a major plumbing, gas or electric work in your home, you will have to engage a professional for the obvious reasons – most of the work will need a permit. A plan for major plumbing or electrical changes in addition to asbestos removal and structural changes will require approval. To avoid the issues associated with getting a permit, engage a professional.
When working on yourself, you should remember that asbestos is among the things homeowners would not want to face in their renovation processes, but it always pops up. Some contractors will not account for asbestos in their home inspection but after finding it, they will test for it and finally remove it before proceeding with the other work.