This week?s column was written by Emily Morgan of the Arkansas Realtors Association.
My dad came over this past weekend to help me replace the faucet in my shower. It?s great to know someone handy enough to help with these types of things, as opposed to the time and expense involved with hiring a professional. I also plan to talk him into helping me reframe my back door soon.
There are plenty of fix-up projects I?d like to see done, but when and where do you draw the line on what you can do yourself and what should be done professionally?
The cost savings and personal satisfaction of a do-it-yourself project are often very enticing to homeowners, but are their skills for the job up to par? The last thing you?d want to do is make a mess of a DIY project and end up spending more money to hire a professional to come in and fix your mistakes. Another thing to consider: Can you make or fix something that would impress potential homebuyers, as well as meet local and state code requirements?
These are things to consider when deciding whether to DIY or hire a pro:
? Assess your skills, and be honest with yourself. Being overly confident in your repair or handyman abilities could end up costing far more than you originally planned.
? Figure out the steps involved in the project, as well as the time you estimate it will take to complete. Go to a local hardware store and talk to a staff member wo can help you understand what will be involved in your plans. The Internet is also an excellent resource for tips, instructions and videos for numerous projects.
? Do you have all of the supplies you?ll need? What?s the cost of purchasing/renting any tool that you don?t have and will need to complete the project? Make a detailed list of every material you?ll need along with the prices of everything.
? Know what?s below. Call 811 before you dig to have your utility lines marked. Every digging job (both professional and DIY) requires a call, even for small projects like planting trees and shrubs. In Arkansas, dial 811 or contact Arkansas One Call at 800-482-8998.? If you hit an underground utility line while digging, you can harm yourself or those around you, disrupt service to an entire neighborhood and potentially be responsible for fines and repair costs.
? Most DIY projects require at least two people to complete successfully. Just as with any relationship, working with a friend or family member on a project requires patience, listening skills and a sense of humor. Never forget that this person is helping you. A well-thought-out plan with a flexible time schedule can mean the difference between an enjoyable experience and the worse nightmare you?ve ever had.
? Ask your friends and neighbors for referrals when considering using the pros.
? Compare the total costs of what it would take for you to complete the project to estimates for professional work.
? Set specific dates and times for the work to be done when working with a professional. Do your homework before they are to start work ? the time to clean out the work area is not when they are pulling up in your driveway.
? When enlisting the services of a professional, inspect the completed job thoroughly before you make your payment. If the job requires partial payments or up-front costs, set up project completion stages that adequately match the percentage paid.
House to House is distributed by the Arkansas Realtors Association. For more information about homeownership in Arkansas, visit www.ArkansasRealtors.com.
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