DIY Or Pro? Home Renovations That Will Have You Asking The Ultimate Question
When it comes to home renovations, there's a big question every homeowner should ask themselves: should they hire a professional or spark up some creativity for a little DIY project?
While DIY might save you money, there are some projects where hiring a professional is a better option, such as a home addition or installing new windows. So, if you're in the market for some home repairs, take a look at this list; you might be surprised at what renovations could potentially be fun projects.
Home Additions Is A Pros Job
While putting up moulding or installing drywall might seem simple, building a complete addition onto your home is a totally different area of expertise. If there is one thing a homeowner doesn't want, it's to have their walls collapsing in on themselves.
That's why we recommend hiring a professional for any home additions you might have planned. This is one of those cases where spending the extra money is very much well worth it!
Installing Baseboards Is A DIY Project
When it comes to installing baseboard moulding, don't worry about spending money to hire a professional. The installation process isn't too difficult, and there are many sets of instructions online.
Just keep in mind, while the installation process isn't necessarily difficult, cutting and measuring the trim can get a bit tricky. In any case, putting down baseboards without the help of a professional is bound to save you a lot of money in the long run.
Consider Hiring A Pro To Repave Your Driveway
While it might not look like a tough job, there is a lot of work that goes into fixing and repaving a driveway. With all of the machinery, asphalt, and other supplies, we highly recommend hiring a professional to get the job done.
We can only imagine the mess that would be made by someone who isn't entirely up to snuff with DIY driveway repairs. They'd probably end up spending more money for a contractor to fix their mistakes than they would have by hiring a pro in the first place!
Wall Demolition Can Go Either Way
Unlike other home renovation projects where hiring and professional is necessary, demolition can go either way. Either a homeowner can go ahead and start whacking down walls, or they can hire someone to do it for them.
Personally, we'd probably hire a pro, just to make sure we're not hitting down anything important that still needs to be there by the end of the demo! But we have to admit that the prospect of hitting a wall with a sledgehammer is intriguing!
Finishing Drywall Can Be A DIY Mission Or Done By A Pro
There are many DIY tutorials out there that give step-by-step instructions on how to finish drywall in a house properly. The thing is, we personally don't trust ourselves with the how-to videos and would definitely hire a professional for this particular home renovation.
Considering drywall is literally part of the foundation holding the walls and ceiling together, we're not sure if its the right time to put DIY skills to the test, even though it's just a matter of putting three healthy coats of spackle over it.
Installing Laminate Flooring Is A Fun DIY Project
Putting in new flooring is quite the project. The good news is that if you're leaning towards laminate, it's relatively simple to install it yourself without the help of a professional. Don't get us wrong, there still might be some minor hiccups, but that's the way these DIY missions go!
If there is one pro tip, we will say, it's to start installing the laminate away from the wall. Weird, we know. But it's to ensure the floor will be straight!
Hardwood Flooring Requires A Pro
Ironically, while laminate flooring is a DIY project, homeowners will want to think twice about installing hardwood by themselves. The material is a bit harder to work with and a bit more expensive to fix if a mistake is made.
So, to save everyone a headache, money, and a lecture from their significant other about how they should have hired someone to begin with, we recommend a professional for the job.
Professionals Should Install Gutters
One thing homeowners want to make sure is installed properly is their outdoor gutters. They are the reason sheets of rain don't cascade off the roof and erode the soil around the house, after all!
And so, your basement will thank you for hiring a professional to make sure the gutters are installed onto the roof properly. If there is something everyone wants to avoid, it's having a flooded basement and deteriorating foundation.
Feel Free To Insulate Walls Yourself
Insulation is the gift that keeps on giving. It keeps heating and cooling costs down while buffering noise throughout the house. And what makes it even better is the fact that you can install it yourself, saving money in the long run!
Installing insulation in open walls is pretty simple, as its durable material and doesn't take a lot of strength to get situated. Just be sure to have a nifty utility knife, tape measure, and a good staple gun by your side, and you're good to go!
Minor Electrical Work Is A Weekend DIY Project
For those handy people who want to install surround sound or new porch lights, start gathering your materials because this is a DIY mission. Depending on your skillset, minor electrical work can be done inhouse instead of hiring a contractor.
While it might take some time, doing the electrical work yourself will not only save you money in the long run, but it will definitely keep you busy for a nice chunk of the day. It's okay, though; the end result will be well worth it!
Hanging Kitchen Cabinets Is A Toss Up
Installing kitchen cabinets is a pretty big project, but that doesn't necessarily mean a professional is required to get the job done. Now, we're not saying jump headfirst into the deep end.
If you take on hanging kitchen cabinets as a DIY project, we definitely recommend looking up a few different instructional guides. No need to drill holes in the wall willy-nilly! Of course, if you don't trust in your DIY skills, hiring a pro is always a solid Plan B.
Pro Or DIY, Interior Painting Is A Process
Whether you hire a professional or take it on yourself in a little DIY project, painting the interior of a house is no small task. Not only does it test your arm and back strength, but the process also takes a few solid days, maybe even a week, depending on how many rooms there are.
But when it comes to a project that's a toss-up between DIY and hiring a professional, we'll always lean towards DIY. Home renovation projects aren't cheap, after all!
DIYers Can Install A Prefab Shower Unit
Installing a shower might sound intimidating, but a prefab unit is nothing to be scared of! This type of unit usually comes in a fiberglass or acrylic kit that is shipped directly to a house in either a singular piece or multiple.
The good news is that the multiple-piece units are very easy to install and come with all of the necessary parts for installation. Say no to professionals when it comes to this type of project! Just go to Home Depot, pick your favorite, and install.
Tiled Showers Best Be Left To The Professionals
Unlike the prefab shower units, homeowners will want to think about hiring an actual professional for the installation of a tiled shower. Instead of a kit, custom tiled showers are built on-site and are a bit harder to construct.
Not only is a pro tiler needed for the project, but also a carpenter. First, the latter will come in to construct the structural frame for the shower alcove. Then, the tiler comes in to lie down the tiles. It's not an easy task, to say the least.
Vinyl Floor Tile Is A DIY Project
Vinyl is one of the cheaper flooring options on the market, and a DIYers best friend when it comes to home renovation projects. This is because installing the material isn't nearly as difficult as, say, hardwood.
The key to a successful vinyl installation is preparation! You're going to want to take measurements and get the room squared away for the project. But from there, it's a matter of following instructions and getting the underlay taken care of before the vinyl.
Professionals Should Take Care Of Window Replacements
There are a lot of different aspects to a home, but if there is one thing you don't want falling off its hinges, its a window. They are very finicky and need to be measured correctly in order for the frame to fit properly -- no easy feat!
That's why we recommend hiring a professional for any window replacements you have scheduled. It might cost a bit extra, but it will be well worth it in the long run.
Professionals Are Needed For Fiber-Cementing
Fiber-cementing siding on homes is becoming more common, as it is a more durable material, fire-resistant, and is a good-looking final product. That being said, it isn't easy to install if you don't know what you're doing.
So, instead of purchasing the expensive material and trying to install it the heavy boards yourself, potentially getting hurt in the process, hiring a pro is probably a better option. Not only will it be done correctly, but you don't have to worry about having the re-purchase any materials or pay for a hospital bill!
Ambitious DIYers Can Try Installing Floor Tiles
Setting tiles is no easy job, and it would take a very ambitious DIYer to move forward with the project on their own. That being said, it is totally possible! It just might take a little while longer than it would if a professional was helping out.
Honestly, if you have the time and patience to install stone tiles, we say go for it! It'll be a fun project that will save you money because you're taking out the third party.
Leave Blow-In Insulation To The Pros
While most people think of insulation as being the long strips of fiberglass that get attached to walls, blow-in insulation is something else altogether. The term refers to the filling of joist or stud cavities, or even covering the attic floor with cellulose material, such as styrofoam pellets.
The application is a process and requires two crew members. One person's job is to spray materials with the blower hose into a hole in the wall or over the floor, while the other operates the machine from another room in the house. This is definitely a job for a pro!
A DIYer Needs Some Electrical Background To Rewire A Room
While minor electrical work can be done by a DIYer who knows how to follow YouTube tutorials, an entire room or house re-wire is a bit more work. We'd say that anyone with some semblance of electrical knowledge would be alright taking on the project.
Otherwise, a professional might be a better option since playing with wires is no small task, and one that can potentially end in disaster. So, when it comes to big electrical projects, use your best judgment!
