According to the Home Improvement Research Institute, 51% of participants surveyed said that they had done plumbing work in their home on their own, while another 67% said that when it came time to add a deck or patio to their home, they helped build it. It seems that despite the advice of many professionals, Americans are still set on doing home improvement projects themselves.
In this day and age, explains Ferdinand Steyer of Mountain Works LLC, the typical homeowner cannot do his own renovations the way that he would have been able to do in the past. It is no longer just about the skill level the homeowner possesses to successfully complete the renovation, but you must also consider all of the pitfalls of doing the work yourself, he adds.
Insurance companies
If you try to make a claim to your insurance company because of an accident or damage that occurred to the room you added or renovated on your own, you might find yourself backed up against a wall. Insurance companies will be skeptical when they learn that you did not hire a licensed professional to do the work for you. The first thing that they will research is that you obtained a permit for the work, and that everything in the room was up to code. If it is discovered that the new room was not inspected, or that you didn’t secure the right permits, then they can legally refuse to cover you for the losses. Additionally, they may also try to prove that you did not possess the skills and licenses expected of an individual who is going to undertake a home renovation.
Involved process
Remodeling a room, or putting an addition onto your home is a involved process, explains Steyer. It is about much more then nailing pieces of wood together. You have to be skilled in a number of areas including installation, plumbing, carpentry and electricity, just to name a few. And when you are dealing with the electric wiring of your home, tampering in an unfamiliar area could have tragic results, the worst being that you burnt down your home. Even licensed professionals will hire their own electricians or plumbers to do the work on a home for them because they understand the value of getting the job done right.
Doing it yourself
If you are adamant that you can do the work yourself in a manner that would save you money and not cost you too much time, then Steyer strongly recommends visiting your local zoning department. There are special permits for homeowners who want to do the work on their own. Even though you are bypassing the need for a contractor doesn’t mean you can bypass the law.
So, if you are thinking about starting a home renovation, or are currently midway through and realize that you can’t complete the work on your own, contact a residential contractor in your area. Explain your situation to him and ask him how he would proceed. If you get the feeling that they are experienced in this field of work and that they have a good handle on how to fix your mistake, you should consider hiring them for the rest of the remodel.
