DIY vs Hiring A Professional For Renovations

You can renovate your house by hiring licensed professional contractors or the DIY way, but it is essential to consider some factors before deciding.

Now, DIY renovation is usually perceived as an easier and more budget-friendly way. However, it isn’t always recommended since some certain jobs may require a lot of precision and technique.

Moreover, failed DIY home improvement may burn a hole in your pocket. Australian homeowners tap into their money market accounts or utilise home equity loans or utilise a home equity line of credit, contributing to a home renovation sector worth around $12.3 billion a year to fix damages caused by DIY fails.

Professionals should handle large-scale renovations to utilise their industry-specific experience and specialised tools. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of DIY projects you can work on. Keep reading if you are facing a remodelling project for the first time and want to know how to get started.

Which Jobs Are Ideal for DIY Or Hire?

Here are some of the most popular DIY home improvements that you should try during a home improvement project:

1. Minor Maintenance And Repairs

Some of the easiest DIY structural work is non-electrical maintenance and repairs since they require no specific technique, provided you possess the special skills needed for basic handy tasks.

For example, you can enhance the look of your real estate by cleaning the gutters regularly, replacing a towel rail, fixing old door knobs, and replacing broken bathroom tiles. You can even update your ensuite with a new vanity!

You can also keep your swimming pool clean and in top condition by ensuring the pump and filter run properly. In addition, you can clean the drains and gutters, though it may be time-consuming, to keep them optimally functional. This will prevent the wastewater from damaging your property, and you can maintain a healthy, high-quality environment around the house.

2. Painting

You can try painting the walls (interior and exterior), as it doesn’t require a lot of professional tools or technical knowledge. But before starting with them, make sure to clean the surface properly. Wash the walls thoroughly since dust and other impurities can affect the longevity of the paint.

Besides, you should fill all the holes and repair any damage on the wall before applying the paint. If the walls are made from wood, we recommend applying a coat of primer beforehand to prevent the paint from chipping or flaking off.

Additionally, you can make your home walls striking by hanging different wallpapers.

3. Gardening

If you own a garden, you can try different DIY remedies to make it look beautiful. For starters, you can do landscaping jobs (by following existing regulations), such as designing a footpath for your garden. Aside from that, you can create a unique irrigation system to water your plants on time.

Similarly, you can raise your garden beds and make them look more even to look aesthetically pleasing, an endeavour worth considering if you should hire a contractor.

When Should You Hire A Professional?

When it comes to tasks involving electricity, gas, plumbing lines, building or construction, you will need to hire professionals, particularly when it involves major work, as they possess the necessary skills and licences. Most of these jobs have a high risk of failure if you don’t follow the correct requirements.

You can get severely injured or cause costly damages along the way if you don’t have the right knowledge. Therefore, we recommend engaging with reputable contractors for:

1. Refrigerator And Aircon Repairs

Although these appliances might look simple and easy to operate, they are pretty troublesome to repair. For example, most refrigerators use chemicals such as dry ice and coolant for proper cooling. Hence, you need to contact professionals with the required skills and specialised tools needed to handle such chemicals.

Besides this, aircon parts are not readily available on the market, which makes it tough to repair by yourself. Instead of hunting, you can save time and save money by asking professional general contractors to fix the aircon while focusing on more manageable and professional renovation tasks.

2. Electrical Work

Repairing the main electrical system the DIY way is one of the most complicated tasks you should try to avoid since it can lead to accidents if you aren’t careful. Plus, you can be charged for illegal electrical installation if it doesn’t meet the safety standards.

You should hire a pro if you plan to install a new power point or wiring in the house. Additionally, you can ask a professional contractor, an electrician, to install smart home appliances all over your house since they consume less power.

For instance, you can ask them to install smart lights and fans throughout the house so that you can operate them through a voice command.

3. Plumbing

Although plumbing might seem like an easy renovation project, you shouldn’t try it yourself since it can cause severe damage to the property if not done right. Hiring a plumber to repair or replace your damaged pipes is always recommended, despite the cons of hiring.

Additionally, repairing or installing gas appliances and lines necessitates a licenced and insured professional since you must follow several safety protocols. However, you must be cautious when choosing a plumber since only a few are qualified to perform these tasks.

4. Construction

If you plan to undertake renovations, you may need permits depending on the extent of your work. Also, if you lack experience, you should speak to an experienced builder. You should avoid DIY work on the foundation of your house for two reasons: your safety and the structural integrity of your entire home.

You can also work with a licenced builder on your space’s new design, features, and layout. If you have an idea, you can ask them about it, perhaps with inspirational photos, and they will find a solution to make it work for you.

Is Your Project DIY?

A DIY project can sometimes be fun since you learn many different techniques and save on labour costs while renovating your house. Nevertheless, it would help if you kept a few essential factors in mind.

Firstly, always ensure the DIY jobs aren’t complicated or costly, or it might be prudent to hire a general contractor. Complex DIY projects have a higher chance of failing, costing you more money to fix. Secondly, you should research and check if the DIY home renovations involve any safety hazards.

On the other hand, we highly recommend getting your house renovated by a professional if the DIY home renovation project requires a specific licence or technique. Construction, plumbing, electrical and many more need commercial-grade tools; hence, this task requiring specialised building materials should be left to professionals.

Our experienced and licenced builders at Final Touch Carpentry and Constructions are always here to help. Whether you have questions about your renovation project or are looking to plan a renovation project schedule in Sydney, contact us!

On that note, it’s a wrap. See you next time.