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Should You Hire a Contractor to Improve Your New Home?

Buzzle Staff
The prospect of shifting into a new house entails a series of home improvements that need to be done to make it a home. Here comes the question of trusting either yourself to do a good job, or trusting a contractor with the same. This piece aims to resolve this question, while weighing the pros and cons of DIY and contractors.

Handy Tip

Before you hire a contractor to remodel your home, you should make him aware of your budget. This will enable him to choose the best materials in the assigned budget.
When you're thinking of buying a house, one important consideration is how much work it will need before it is inhabitable, and how much work you will need to do in order to make it yours. Unless you're moving into a newly-built home, chances are, you will have at least a few home improvement projects in the future.
So, the next question you need to ask yourself is, "Should I hire a contractor, or do it myself?" Before you decide, take a minute to consider the options available.

Cut Down on Unknowns

Many first-time homeowners choose the DIY approach to home improvement, because it's less expensive. But, cost is not the only benefit of fixing up your home on your own. When you're doing things yourself, you have total control over every step of the process.
It's true that most contractors will strive to give their clients exactly what they want, but you can never be totally sure of the outcome. If you hire a contractor, miscommunication, careless labor, and mistakes can all lead to a final product that isn't exactly what you had in mind.
If you do the project yourself, or with the help of friends and family, this risk is significantly reduced.

The Danger of DIY

Of course, DIY home improvement also involves a lot of unknowns. You are probably not skilled in construction, and even if you do know something about it, you can never learn everything.
This means, something could go wrong in the construction process, or you could run into a situation you didn't bargain for. For example, your new house might have some issues that the realtor was not aware of, and if you uncover these issues while you're redoing the floor or updating the bathroom, you have a whole new project on your hands.
Depending on what kind of problems you uncover, you might end up having to spend a lot more time than you thought, on something that could take a contractor just a few hours to accomplish.

A Professional Finish

If you are not well-versed in the art and science of home improvement, you may want to consider a contractor, simply because they are usually more skilled in finishing techniques.
There is a wealth of information online and in books about how to do professional-looking interior decoration, and most of the time, the techniques are not exceptionally difficult. However, if you haven't done anything like this before, chances are, you won't be able to do it perfectly at your first try.
It takes practice to perfect a new skill, and interior construction is no exception. If you are buying your first home, you might want to take the opportunity to develop those skills. While it won't harm if you take up some minor rework in the house, it would be wise if you relied on a professional if you have a really big project on hand.

Why a Professional

Home improvement projects are actually a big risk, where many things could go wrong. Hiring someone with the professional know-how will help you not just finish the task on hand quickly, but will ensure that the process goes on smoothly.
Hiring a professional will not only decrease your stress level, but also ensure that you get a good finished product. Apart from the knowledge and expertise the contractor comes with, you can be assured that the appropriate material is being used to remodel your home.
Besides, a good contractor will ensure that safety measures are in check, both during and after the project is undertaken. Most importantly, a contractor will manage all aspects of your project, which includes hiring and supervising subcontractors, getting the required permits, and scheduling inspections.

How to Choose a Contractor

If you do choose to hire someone, there a few things to keep in mind to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Like everything else, you can choose from different price points and levels of service when selecting someone to help improve your new home.
Although it might be tempting to go with the lowest bidder, remember that the construction industry is very competitive, and the lowest bid may not always be realistic. Contractors often cut corners on labor and material, especially if they have bid a job at a very low rate.
Another important point here is to check the contractors working permit, so as to be sure that you get good service. Be sure to ask around, and take recommendations from people that are satisfied with their contractor's services.
In the end, DIY home updates are a great way to reduce costs, but when you factor in the extra time and effort, hiring a contractor is often the better choice.