| Every year, millions of Americans set off to their local | | | | home improvement store and take 3-4 days to |
| home improvement store with grandiose plans for their | | | | complete. |
| home's new look. After all, with all the shows on TV | | | | 2. Do you have the tools to get the job done? If you |
| remodeling a home is apparently so easy that "anyone | | | | are going to be doing similar jobs-e.g. painting, tiling, etc... |
| can do it." So after some time spent perusing wall | | | | over a period of time then investing in the tools needed |
| coverings, molding, and paint, they carry all their supplies | | | | may be wise. However, if it is a one time (hopefully) |
| back to their home and get started. And, before their | | | | job such as replacing the kitchen counters, then you |
| spouse can say, "Do you know what you're doing?" or | | | | may wish to hire someone who already has the |
| "Have you read the instructions?" there is a gaping | | | | necessary tools. |
| hole where the cabinets once were or pile of | | | | 3. Do you have the technical skills to get the job done? |
| wallpaper or chair railing to be cleaned up. | | | | Just possessing the tools and having the time does not |
| Of course, not every DIY home remodeling job | | | | mean that the ability exists. Jobs such as plumbing or |
| becomes a nightmare or a disaster area. There are | | | | electrical work are best handled by someone with the |
| many qualified homeowners out there who like nothing | | | | experience of more than a passing knowledge. Can |
| better than a weekend project like building a new deck | | | | you do the job on your own? Some jobs such as |
| or putting in new kitchen cupboards. They are the | | | | painting can usually be done without the need of |
| handymen and women who thoroughly love the rush | | | | additional help; for jobs like masonry, roofing, and other |
| and excitement of a home improvement project. | | | | jobs you may want to have people who can help out. |
| If you are one of the people whose "honey do" list | | | | 4. There is no shame in hiring a contractor to help with |
| includes a remodeling job, and you are not sure | | | | home improvements. If you think you can do the job, |
| whether or not to do it yourself or hire a contractor, | | | | even though you have never tried it before, you may |
| then consider the following before the resolution to the | | | | first want to take some detailed photographs of |
| project cost more than it needs to. | | | | anything you take apart. Then be sure to label the |
| | | | parts in order of removal so that reassembly will be |
| 1. Do you have the time to devote to seeing the | | | | easier.Hiring a contractor may cost a bit more than if |
| project through? Oftentimes, a project may appear to | | | | you did it yourself, but you will get the assurance of |
| be only a 2-3 hour job may turn into multiple trips to the | | | | knowing that your remodel will be done correctly. |