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Hire Someone, or Do It Yourself?

By
Real Estate Agent with Discovery Real Estate Ltd. - "Homes By Jones"
Airdrie Realtor - HomesbyJones.caWhen it comes to somethings around the home, we often end up doing a lot of the work ourselves.  But should we do-it-yourselfers really do all the work.  

There are some jobs where a professional may be required.  These would include any job that might be dangerous or where a mistake would be very costly.  Some jobs are simply not worth the risk.  Some tasks to reconsider before doing:

• Major electrical work
• Any plumbing that involves work under the house
• Siding work that requires scaffolding higher than two stories
• Labor intensive work that may be overly difficult, such as chopping out and pouring in new concrete
• Working on excessively steep or high roofs
• Jobs where there may be hidden mysteries
• Representing yourself in court
• Attempting to be your own Real Estate Agent (Without the proper training and experience)
Also, take into account the time you have, your skills and the tools required.

Time
Be sure to factor in the value of your spare time.  Will you want to spend your free time doing this work, and how long will it actually take.

Skills
Be sensible about your skills.  Don’t attempt tasks that you won’t be able to finish, or that may end up looking Airdrie Real Estate Documents - HomesbyJones.cashoddy and unprofessional.  Unless you know you have the necessary skills, do not take on intricate work or work that requires a high level of craftsmanship.

Tools
Always take into account that you will need certain tools for many jobs.  You can rent or buy the tools but be realistic in that you probably don’t already have the skills necessary to use the tools.  It may make more sense to hire a professional if the required tools are not familiar to you.

Airdrie Homes Sold - HomesbyJones.caSo although you may want to do all home improvements yourself, just keep in mind that sometimes hiring a professional is definitely worth the cost and may actually save you money in the long run.


Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Great topic and one my husband and I are discussing now; you are right sometimes it does pay to hire a professional.

Apr 30, 2012 07:33 AM
Diane Daley
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Northumberland, NH

Do it yourself if you have the skill and time otherwise hire it out and save the frustration is my advise...

 

Apr 30, 2012 07:44 AM
Erv Fleishman
Realty Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Luxury Prop Specialist Realty Associates

reminds me of the story of the do it yourselfer that dug his own grave. 

Worked for days on end but decided it was not a good fit at that point in time.

 

Apr 30, 2012 08:41 AM
Leslie G. Rojohn
MoonDancer Realty - Sylva, NC
GRI, ABR ~ MoonDancer Realty

My philosophy is to contribute to the local economy as much as we possibly can.  We can not be all things, and frankly in the time it takes me to do what a trained professional could do in half the time, I'd rather be making money doing what I know how to do.  I end up further ahead in the long run.

Apr 30, 2012 09:18 AM
Rob Ernst
Certified Structure Inspector - Reno, NV
Reno, NV-775-410-4286 Inspector & Energy Auditor

Some people do renovations with tools some with check books. Either way it needs to be done properly.

Apr 30, 2012 01:09 PM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Some jobs require a professional Bill, nobody is good at everything, and sloppy jobs will affect the value of your home..

Apr 30, 2012 10:32 PM