When Remodeling A Home Should You Contract It Yourself, DIY, Or Use A Design-Build-Remodeling Firm?

This article is part two of three and looks at your options and defines when a CIY project makes sense.

You Can Read Part One Here.

When To Contract-It-Yourself

Whether you lack the experience and confidence, or the tools and the time, the next level of remodeling projects is best handled by a professional. These are the types of projects where you would hire a specialized tradesperson, for example, hanging an interior door. While a patient homeowner can handle this as a DIY project, a professional can typically make sure everything fits perfectly, latches securely, and has a quality finish. Getting even margins around the door can be a challenge, and ensuring a door doesn't drag on your carpet is a frustration that often is not worth a homeowner's time and effort.

Read Our Guild-Quality Testimonials

Here are some examples of home remodeling projects that, while a handy homeowner with experience and the proper tools can accomplish, it often makes more sense to hire a professional. They will have the knowledge and specialized tools to provide you with a higher level of craftsmanship. 

Electrical and Plumbing

Wisconsin allows a homeowner to do electrical work, but that doesn't mean it's always safe or wise to do it! Use your best judgment. If you do choose the undertake a minor electrical project like hanging a new fixture, replacing an outlet, or installing a dimmer switch, be sure you know how to do it safely. YouTube may be an acceptable source for some DIY projects, but when it comes to electrical work, you should dig a little deeper and get expert advice. Risking your home to fire by trusting the first search result that shows up on YouTube could result in a tragedy. 

In Wisconsin, plumbing always requires a licensed plumber to do the work, even for replacing a faucet or a toilet. So the best choice for both plumbing or electrical work is always to hire a professional plumber or electrician. Electrocution, fire, and unseen leaks resulting in rotted wood are just a few of the things that could go wrong if you decide to DIY your electrical and plumbing projects.

Tile Work

An elegant tile backsplash in your kitchen or tile shower surround is a beautiful upgrade. To install tile correctly requires specialty tools to cut, careful planning for layout around obstacles, specialty trim pieces to make your edges attractive, and protection like the Schluter waterproofing system. Getting the alignment of tile edge and grout lines even is a skill that experienced installers have perfected over numerous installations. Yes, your bathroom and kitchen tile is porous. If you install a wall or floor tile in a shower without using professional waterproofing and a quality sealant, you could find water damage behind your bathroom or kitchen wall. Working with a professional tile installer that provides a warranty against leakage will protect your investment. You will also get a better-looking design and a better quality that will result in higher resale value for your home in the long run.

Finishing Your Basement

A finished basement is a great and affordable way to add usable space to your home. Much of the infrastructure is already in place, like the walls and floor, as well as rough plumbing and electrical. Finishing your basement is an excellent example of a home remodeling project that you might consider doing some of the work yourself, and CIY the licensed trades. On the other hand, if you are looking for exceptional design, and unfamiliar with how to work around ductwork and pipes, then this type of project is best suited for a Design-Build-Remodel company.

Replacing Your Deck Railing and Installing a Cable Rail

Exterior projects like decks, patios, pergolas, and gazebos are best left to the professionals or to homeowners who have the experience and tools to tackle these types of complex jobs. DIY Cable Rail kits can be purchased for a higher price so that you don't need special tools. But hiring a pro will get you great-looking results, while they use less expensive materials thanks to their specialty tools. Deck railings also have special building codes, and the cable rail is different than regular railings. Make sure to do the research to do it right, get your building permits, and have it inspected so that you can sell the house in the future.

Coming Up In The Last Article - Design-Build-Remodel Professionals

Article one covered DIY projects and this article covered CIY or Contract-It-Yourself home improvement. The last article in our three-part series will help you understand when it makes sense to contract out your remodeling project. Article three of three covers projects best left to design-build-remodel firms due to their complexity. Article three will also have an easy to understand spreadsheet that outlines which projects are DIY, CIY, or Design-Build-Remodel.

If you're planning a remodeling project, or just want to explore the possibilities, give our award-winning design team a call at (608) 846-5963. We're always happy to talk to you about our process, and explore the possibilities!