| The decision as to whether to hire a contractor for | | | | Some jobs can be completed in a tenth of the time or |
| some, or all, of your remodeling project is dependant | | | | less with the right tools or equipment. Some jobs can't |
| on several factors. Early in the planning process you | | | | be accomplished at all without the right tool. You may |
| need to think about each stage of your project and | | | | be able to rent or borrow or buy used tools to do the |
| take into consideration the following factors and how | | | | job. In some cases it may actually cost less to hire |
| they will affect your decision as to who will do the | | | | someone who has the tools to just do the job for you. |
| work. | | | | Risk Factors Are you able to do the job right the first |
| Time Factors Do you have time to complete the | | | | time or are you going to have to spend extra on |
| project? If you can only work on it a few hours a | | | | materials to get it right? |
| week, do you have the patience to live with it for | | | | Do you have the physical stamina to do the work? If |
| months? | | | | you are not in good shape you may have difficulty |
| What is your time worth? It may take you twice or | | | | working more than a few hours a day. If I haven't |
| three times as long as a skilled professional to | | | | been doing a lot of the physical work for a period of |
| complete a job. Would it be easier, and possible, for | | | | time it takes me about three weeks to work back up |
| you to spend your extra time earning the extra money | | | | to being able to handle a full day's remodeling work. |
| and just pay a contractor? Or do you want the | | | | Do you have good health insurance? This may sound |
| satisfaction of learning a new skill and completing the | | | | like a funny question but although I seldom get sick or |
| job yourself? These are all valid considerations. | | | | see a doctor I have taken a few trips to the |
| Are there weather considerations where you will need | | | | emergency room for things such as getting an inch |
| to get the project closed in before bad weather sets | | | | long sliver in my hand, or having a stack of drywall fall |
| in? | | | | on me or trying to cut my thumb off with a table saw. |
| Technical Factors Although there are many remodeling | | | | Although I can look back and laugh at myself now, |
| skills that can be learned quickly, some require skilled | | | | working with power tools and heavy materials is no |
| craftsmanship that is acquired over several years. | | | | laughing matter. Your health and safety should always |
| Complicated plumbing, heating or electrical installations | | | | be a major consideration in deciding how to take on a |
| may require at least the guidance of a trained | | | | remodeling project. |
| technician. | | | | |