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By Kathy Wilson
So you’ve decided to start a remodeling project, and you don’t know whether you can tackle it on your own?
Any remodeling project can be a huge undertaking, and while some can be accomplished by experienced do-it-yourselfers, many homeowners decide not to go it alone.
Consider carefully the pros and cons of doing a home remodeling project yourself. Many homeowners attempt a remodeling in order to save money, only to find it wasn’t worth it in the long run.
"Take a good, hard look at whether you can -- or want -- to take on a DIY project. In many cases, it is more time and cost effective to spend overtime at your job (whatever you do - selling insurance, working at Starbucks, being an office manager, etc.) and then using that money to hire home remodeling pros, who are also good at what they do. They can make quick work of your project," says Lee Wallender, guide to About.com Home Renovations.
Although some homeowners may have the skills to complete a home remodeling project, most would benefit from looking carefully at the common mistakes that do-it-yourselfer’s make, and weigh the benefits of hiring a licensed professional instead. After all, in the end you want to improve the value of your home.
Here are most common mistakes would-be do-it-yourselfers make with their home improvement projects.
- Taking on jobs you cannot handle. "Spend time on forums or talking to real people who have remodeled, rather than home remodeling books, which tend to cleanse the process and make it seem easier," says Wallender. Having a true picture of what a job really entails can prevent you from getting in too deep from the get-go.
- Not being realistic about the time and money the project will take to complete. Wallender suggests, "Budget 20% more time and up to 50% more money than anticipated." Running short of either money or time will frustrate any homeowner, and can doom the remodeling from the start.
- You should be realistic about the pressures a remodel will create on your family. "Work on one project at a time, rather than several. Don't do everything DIY -- the pros can speed up the process considerably, making everyone happier," says Wallender. Peace of mind can be just as important as saving money when it comes to major renovations.
- Not having a plan to tie in your project and other elements in the home. "Come up with a master plan before knocking down that first wall," warns Wallender. "The plan will keep you on task whenever you consider diverging from it."
In the end, if you do hire a contractor, the research you did will serve you well. "Remodeling books can teach you the 'language' of home remodeling. Learn this before talking to the professional. Do not rely on the professional to teach you," cautions Wallender.
Taking responsibility for the process empowers you to make educated decisions.
Kathy Wilson is a home and garden writer, author and consultant and is the home decorating expert for LifetimeTV.com. Visit her for more home and garden ideas at TheBudgetDecorator.com and TheGardenGlove.com
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