Home Improvements

So you have work you want to get done around the house? Maybe you're thinking of moving, or you're just really tired of the ugly tile the previous owners put in the bathroom. Whatever your reason, there are steps you should take when deciding what kind of home improvements to do and how to get them done. If you are thinking of moving, I can help you figure out which ones would bring you back the most value, just ask!

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

There's a video on YouTube for almost everything under the sun, including various jobs around the house. You can learn how to install a garbage disposal (fairly easy) or retile a shower (not so easy). When deciding whether to tackle a project yourself or hire a pro, there are a few things to consider: do you have any related experience, do you have needed equipment, what are the costs involved, and how long will it take? 

If you're fairly handy and used to doing home improvement projects, you may already have a lot of the skills you need. But if most of your projects look more like Pinterest fails than wins, this may not be the best choice. And if you need to invest a lot of money into tools, it may make more sense to hire someone who already has the equipment.   It usually takes much longer for a homeowner to do a project than it does a professional. For projects like a kitchen remodel or bathroom overhaul you will need to consider how you will be living in your home while the project is being completed. Some people are more able to live without a stove than others! Also consider how visible the final product will be, tile can be very hard to get to look right if you aren't used to doing it, but pipes under a sink, while you don't want them to leak, aren't so visible. For simple projects that don't take much time - replacing a toilet, painting one room, changing a faucet - you can learn how to do them yourself and save some money in the process.

Choosing a Pro

Once you've decided you need to hire someone, there are plenty of places to go looking. You can find recommendations on Facebook, Yelp, Google, Nextdoor, and many other websites. You can also ask friends, neighbors, and anyone else you run into who they'd recommend. I maintain lists of people in our area that do various jobs, so please feel free to ask me too! 

Your best option is to look in a variety of places, find a few contractors that you feel could do the work, and then contact them. Many professionals are so busy they never even call you back, not a great recipe for getting work done. Schedule estimates with the ones that do call you back and meet them in person. You want to hire someone who knows what they're talking about, and who you're comfortable with, especially if they'll be in your home for a while. You may have a great experience with one person but if they never get you an estimate or don't return your calls, they probably aren't the best choice. The best professionals want to earn your business, even if it takes a while to get on their calendar. Always ask for references, and ask them what they've done when homeowners haven't been satisfied. Not every project turns out exactly as expected so you'll want to know what they did to fix it.

Also, make sure you hire the right person for the job. If you're undertaking a major remodel, working to flip a house, or doing anything requiring a permit, make sure you hire someone who can do that. Handymen are great for a variety of tasks, but you'll need a contractor to move walls, fix foundation issues, or make major home changes. Many municipalities require that a general contractor be the person on record when a permit is filed, check with your city to see what they require.

Fixing up your home can bring great satisfaction. Making it beautiful, fixing what doesn't work, or making your home work better for you can cost time and money, but the end results are worth it!