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Those of you who own a houses or condos have probably at some time had the
urge to renovate. Either something really needs changing or you would just like a
new look. Whichever it is, you have two options: either do the work yourself
or hire professional contractors. Doing the work yourself might save you some
money, but in the long-run, maybe not. Local home centers are eager to help you,
and of course, it is to their benefit to encourage you to be a
do-it-yourselfer. Think carefully. Do you have the skills to ensure the outcome is
what you want? Do you have the time to devote to a thorough job? Do you have the
patience? A little planning and talking to a few contractors might point you
toward a wise decision. Your choice may not be only self or
professional - it could be a mix of both.
Anyone who has watched the ever popular PBS "This Old House" series knows
that homeowners often carry out some of the work, then have professionals do
the more skill-demanding tasks, You can often get good ideas from talking to a
number of professionals before you start the serious business of getting and
evaluating estimates. make sure, before choosing, that your contractor is properly
licensed and insured and that he is knowledgeable about the latest products and
procedures. Remember that contractors have discount arrangements with most
material suppliers, thus can save you money, sometimes enough to make it more
economical to hire a professional than to buy the materials, and spend the time
necessary to do the project yourself.
To save money, the homeowner can often make arrangements to carry out
specific tasks. Installing such things as faucets is usually within the amateur's
scope, particularly when a professional is available to check the quality. Kitchen
and bathroom cupboards can be brought up to date by changing or re-finishing the
doors and replacing old hardware. Some show-and-tell from the contractor can
enable the homeowner to save a lot of money to spend on items requiring
professional work - like replacing old countertops. If the homeowner is willing to
paint trim, there are many products available that use finger-joint or composite
rather than higher-priced solid wood options. Once painted these are
indistinguishable from new. Re-paint walls and ceilings, replacing electrical
fixtures can usually be done by an amateur.. Installation of hardwood
flooring or carpet
is best left to the professional. However, the homeowner ripping up the old carpet
or flooring could save the contractor a lot of time and thus the homeowner money.
The choices are literally endless - just take the time to discuss your ideas with
contractors before deciding on anything. A little time spent talking and thinking
beforehand can save you a bundle of money, time, and make sure you are satisfied
the outcome.
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