To DIY or not to DIY?

Interior framing, cabinet swap outs, replacing siding, repairing a drain line, wiring an electrical outlet - the list of projects and upgrades available to you as a homeowner are literally endless. From hanging a ceiling fan to installing smart electrical outlets your options are infinite while time required and level of difficulty/risk are also limitless leaving you with a burning question inside - Which projects are OK to tackle and which require the help of a professional?

The answer is simple: it depends. **mic drop lol omfg stfu**

Seriously though. Whether or not to tackle a project depends largely on several key factors:

1. Your level of skill in dealing with that particular skill or trade

2. The size/scope of the work

3. The investment of time required

4. The legal implications of completing said project on your property's resale value

5. The cost or damage risk associated with a botched job

Essentially, don't ever do anything on your home ever again. Don't even mow the lawn or change a light bulb. You could be killing your home's value.

KIDDING!

There are plenty of jobs you can tackle yourself right out of the gate. Some projects come in shades of grey, able to be tackled by the savvy homeowner without much risk. Some

projects are only for the homeowner with a full set of tools and a large time bud

get. And some work on your house of course should ALWAYS be given to the professionals. Let's go around the house and take a look at some different projects to parse this all out.

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Exterior

Lawn care - Tons of people do their own yard work. The home garden and the home gardener are thriving in America today, and for good reason. Gardening and lawn maintenance are a point of pride for many homeowners and serve as a great way to spend time outdoors and get exercise while upping the curb appeal of your home. Have at it!

Tree removal - Call a professional arborist. ALWAYS. Removing a tree in most jurisdictions requires a permit anyway, but what's more is the damage you could do to yours or your neighbor's homes by falling a tree limb (or a whole tree) onto a roof or a car!

Siding - This one is tricky. Technically, if your siding isn't structural then you could go it alone depending on your level of skill, extent of the repair/installation, and your confidence level. If your siding is structural however (T-111 is an example of a structural siding panel) or if there is damage to your exterior structure (plywood or wall framing that is rotted), then you definitely need a professional's assistance.

Roof - Don't do your own roof. As a homeowner in Florida you are allowed to pull your own re-roofing permit and perform the work yourself or sub-contract it out. At most you could pull the permit and find a roofer to perform the work for you, but do not do your own roof unless you know how to install roofing systems properly. I can't think of a worse way to protect your most valuable asset than to install it's main water/weather protection element the wrong way.

Paint - You should paint your own house if you feel up to it. It's rewarding. It's exercise. It will save you a ton of money. It drastically changes your home's appearance, and improves curb appeal. I do not see a downside to painting your own house.

Remember though: painting your home every 5-7 years is extremely important!!! Neglecting peeling or chalky paint is like neglecting your roof.

Exterior Electrical - Think flood lights, sconces, exterior lighting of any kind. If you're installing something new which will require wiring be run and tied in to your electrical panel then call and electrician. Generally speaking if you are simply swapping out bulbs or fixtures then have at it and cross it off the honey-do list.

Fences - Replacing individual panels is fine. "I'm on the fence" about replacing whole sections of fence by yourself (omglolwtfstfu). Absolutely do not build your own fence unless you know and understand the permitting process (easements, surveys, setbacks, height/materials restrictions play a role here). In short, brand new fence installs are best handled by a contractor.

Decks - Treat decks like fences. Replacing a few deck boards is OK. Replacing large swaths or building a new deck probably requires a pro's hand.

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Interior

Paint - Yes. Always yes. Just look at all of the Home Depot and Lowes commercials. Paint away on the interior of your home.

Flooring - Flooring is a grey area. On one hand, there's nothing to flooring legally speaking that would require a contractor to step in. That being said, crappy floors make your home look crappy. Good flooring installers are hard to find because flooring is a trade. Pay the tradesman for his skill in this instance.

Drywall - Like flooring, good drywallers are hard to find. A bad drywall job is WAYYYY easier to spot than a good one and that's the point. Pay for the skill here. * Exception: small drywall patches/holes are generally OK to tackle yourself. So, spackle 'till your heart's content!

Electrical - Changing light bulbs is fine. Heck, hanging a new ceiling fan or swapping out a light fixture is cool, too! Fixture installation by a professional can be very costly, and is usually something you can tackle by yourself on a Saturday. Just make sure to check your breaker panel and kill power to the circuit before you start! Outside of this, however is where you need to call the pros. Wiring of any kind, adding a switch, adding a receptacle, or any other wiring changes should be handled by an electrician.

Plumbing - Plunging a toilet is a YOU problem! Cleaning out drain lines, swapping out drain lines, swapping faucets, and fixing minor leaks can all be tackled by a savvy homeowner. Many people even tackle projects like toilet swap outs. Where you'll need a plumber s when leaks and clogs get too severe, or when moving any drain or drinking water lines.

HVAC - Change your filter. That's it. In Florida, you can't afford to work on your own HVAC! Take it from a carpenter and just call the pros.

Windows/Doors - Repairing window screens and changing door handles/hardware is certainly something you can handle yourself. But door and window replacement requires a permit in all jurisdictions, and you'll want to leave your new window and door installation to a licensed contractor.

Framing - Building walls in your home isn't usually a good idea, as changing your home's layout legally (think resale) is only achieved through the permitting process. There are also things to consider like access to electrical outlets, plumbing, and HVAC that most homeowners are not equipped to handle. Leave the framing to the pros.

I didn't want this list to be a huge rundown of "don't do's" or to leave you feeling discouraged or like you are unable to do work around your home. Rather I hope this list inspires the confidence in homeowners everywhere to go hands-on in certain situations at home to improve their property value and to foster that sense of pride that comes with home ownership. While being a weekend warrior at home is a worthwhile endeavor though, there are certain scenarios when the cavalry needs to be called. Think of it this way: Sometimes it pays off better to NOT do the work, because of the value a professional tradesman can add to your home by performing his/her task in your place. That's what contracting is all about: coordinating tradesman to provide value in a specific, coordinated effort to improve a structure or space.

If you'd like a free estimate on your next home improvement project, or just need a question answered give us a call or visit our contact page to send us a message! Happy renovating y'all!