When To Call A Professional Renovation Contractor

Posted by Jason on March 8th, 2016

Many home owners are very capable of doing both major and minor repairs themselves, but are you really that homeowner? The lure of saving a few dollars and having the sense of satisfaction of doing it yourself is a very strong and noble reason to attempt a project yourself. But, are you truly prepared to execute your dream project yourself?

Here are a few things to consider before you jump in with both feet. These are just a few of the common mistakes we have seen in the past.

Permits and Building Codes

Are you aware of what permits you need? Are you well versed in code requirements and acceptable building practices. If you are not, all the money you thought you were going to save could be lost when you find out your new addition does not comply with current codes. Doing it yourself does have the potential to save you some money. All to often though diy are grossly underestimate project costs. This happens for several reasons. Labor is a big factor in any project, but materials and supplies are also a major expense. When ordering materials do you know how much of a waste factor to add in? Also those who are not familiar with the building process tend to over look many small items. These add up to a substantial amount of money.

Working Outside Your Skill Level

Before getting to deep into a project make sure you honestly assess your skill level. Professional tradesmen have years of learning under their belts. As a professional carpenter for over two decades I have to admit I still make mistakes. But as a wise old carpenter once told me “Everyone makes a little mistake once in a while, but the good guys know how to fix them right and keep going”.

Do you really have the skill sets and experience to make long lasting quality improvements to your home? Many tools that you may need can be rented or borrowed. Just keep in mind tradesmen have accumulated thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars of tools and equipment over the years. Is it because we have a fascination with tools? Well honestly yes, may be just a little. Although the real reason is so we can work safely, efficiently and accurately. Sure you could build a house with nothing more than a shovel, a hammer and a hand saw, but we are talking about a home not just basic shelter. Many of the new materials require more than just a few tools like grandpa had in his shed. If you invest in tools, will you really get your moneys worth out of them?

Are you and possibly your significant other prepared for the true amount of time it will take to complete your project? Nights, weekends, holidays are more than likely when you will be working on your project. It takes a certain amount of determination to trudge through this whole process yourself. Make sure you are prepared for this fact.

Lack of product knowledge

The building industry is changing in leaps and bounds. New and better products, and innovative building processes have both had a dramatic affect on the industry. Quality homes now are built using products and techniques that our fathers and grandfathers never dreamed of. This has created homes that are more energy efficient, lower maintenance and longer lasting. These factor have made is much more difficult for the owner builder. Older homes were more forgiving of mistakes. What may appear to be a minor oversight today can quickly develop into a major problem in only a few years. Just one example is hidden moisture and condensation problems. This is just a short list of a few things to consider before embarking on a major project yourself. Many home owners are capable and knowledgeable do-it-yourselfers. The key is to know your limitations and know when to call in a professional renovation contractor singapore.