We Love This Question!
Well this is a fun question! And the answer is: At the Beginning! We love a great DIY project, truly! As home repair specialists, that’s kinda how we got started…I mean, after the whole Army Reserves training to build and repair things in wartime or storm ravaged cities, we learned a thing or two about construction and repair work. We started Absolute Home Solutions because we saw a need for honest contracting in our area. If you’re a DIY’er, the best advice we can give you is, “know your limits.” Everyone can claim to be good at something, but we’re not All good at Everything. Know where your expertise lies. Drywall, plumbing, electrical, flooring, painting….You may be good at most of these, but if you’re not comfortable with one area, call for help before you get started so that you can save time and money from the beginning!
DIY – Do It Yourself, Mainly Yourself – DIYmY
DIY is riding a momentum wave right now and with good reason. There is an awful lot around your home that most homeowners can tackle. A coat of paint, a new light fixture, upcycling older furniture are examples of easy DIY projects that can make a huge difference in the appearance of your home. If you’re looking into a large renovation, there are pieces that can be done by homeowners to save money. Tearing out cabinets or removing appliances before a construction crew comes in can save money on a project. But, again, know your limits. When it comes to removing walls, or anything that is structurally in place, you’re better off getting some help from professionals. You don’t have to go as far as a structural engineer, but….it’s definitely a good idea to make sure the wall you’re taking out isn’t structural support for the home. Removing a wall can also involve electricity, gas lines and plumbing. It’s a lot cheaper to get a contractor’s opinion on a job at the beginning than it is to fix a potentially expensive and/or dangerous mistake halfway through. It’s still considered DIY, even if you get a little help where you need it!
Plumbing and electrical work. For your sake, hire a professional. These two areas can create very expensive mistakes. Don’t put your family in jeopardy just to save a little money. It will be worth it to hire a professional for this type of work.
One of the most important things you need to ask yourself in a home renovation project is….Are you happily married? Do you want to remain happily married? When we started our business 20 years ago, we had no idea that part of our work would be marriage counseling! Oh, the marriages we’ve saved by finishing the “never ending project” at homes across our service area. If you’re taking on a DIY renovation project, know your limits and set a timeline! Nobody wants to come home from an 8-10 hour workday to work another couple hours. We all need downtime. Set a time limit for when your project will be completed and stick to it! If your project is more than you can manage, or if there are parts of your project that you’re uncomfortable with, call in to our team! We’ll walk you through completing your project the right way, safely and cost effectively.
Our best advice, start with a contractor at least overseeing your project. Have someone come in for a consultation. You can discuss parts of the project you’re comfortable with and discuss working alongside or in tandem with a contractor. Starting from the beginning together will save you time and money as the project progresses. Give our team at Absolute Home Solutions a call. We will absolutely save your home renovation or construction project….and maybe a marriage too!
