_____________________________________________ Doing Work on Home Improvement and Remodeling Projects Yourself or else hiring Contractors Kitchen remodeling contractors Submit your kitchen project for a contractor referral. Bathroom remodeling contractors Submit your bathroom project to find a contractor Basement remodeling contractors Submit your basement project for a contractor. Unsure of whether to do the work youself or hire out the project to contractors? Obviously quality of work is a deciding factor, as is cost. Many homeowners enjoy the rewards of being able to witness the product of their firsthand accomplishments. Home improvements and other remodeling projects may or may not be worth it to take on yourself, you're the only one who can decide. One of the biggest reasons of course cost savings. Or at least a potential for, certainly can't be overlooked. Change orders, for those that are inclined to change minds, are more easily achieved sometimes if you operate on your own schedule. You have more control over the grade of materials and therefore the quality for completed product if you go out and purchase for yourself - notably if your located by one of the major hardware outlets or big box outlets. However this may not necessarily outweigh the price breaks received by contractors who normally buy in bulk. But, aside from any cost savings there are yet other factors involved. SUPPLY OF LABOR - HIRING OUT Is what you're in the market for in adequate supply? Or in short supply in a strong labor market? What is you standing in regard to these contractors? Will this require luring away those sub-contractors from general contractors who keep them busy with steady work? Are you familiar enough with the local skilled market to answer this? SKILL LEVEL With the trade that you are considering doing yourself, do you have the needed skill level to acheive a quality end product. Or do you know of someone who could help see you though either by your side or as an advisor/consultant for a project of this scope and scale you're on. Consider the hands-on qualifications, like related technical abilities, skills, and also occassionaly making needed alterations on the fly; including any implications like with design elements and writing specifications for these if needed? Are you familiar with timetable and work sequencing of related trades [usually has to do with larger projects, but for instance; would you be informed or versed enough to order a test for the basement for possible radon leakage at a time when practical before having the area finished out?] Doing home improvement and remodeling projects can and often do unearth a number of unforseeables. Throughout you may need to be aware of the possibility for having to make decisions that are reliable, quickly, especially if other trades are waiting on your completion with their own shedule in mind.. Most important, do you feel comfortable and sufficiently confident to work within a reasonable level of safety? What are the health risk factors? TIME Are you willing to make the necessary commitment of time blocks, and do you have the luxury of this being an option? Will weekends be sacrificed if need be for those projects of longer duration? ADVANCE PLANNING Contingencies - Setbacks oftern do occur and when they do will you be shaken or ready to deal effectively? Remember, contractors that don't show, or suppliers that are out of stock, or perhaps a misorder, etc, can all leave you in a hard spot. Estimating - Many calculators and resource manuals are now available that prove extremely helpful. Whatever you methodology have a hold on costs. Suppliers/Financing - Arrangements for paying accounts for more time demanding projects may have to be made. Whereas trades people usually have accounts running and ready. Be aware that although major savings can be had, sometimes the checkbook can suffer heavy losses when your starting out for the first experience. Do you have a means for transporting material or will delivery/minimum quantities come into play? Still other issues remain that you'll want to shore up prior to performing work, such as the necessary building permits and code compliance issues. Will the work pass inspection?