Home improvement upgrades can be very expensive, especially if you get a contractor to do this for you. One of the reasons for this is the price of materials increasing significantly. This means that more homeowners are looking at DIY projects instead of getting professionals to do it for them. With platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, there are more tutorials available than ever before, which can help people with their upgrades, such as laying decking or even installing insulation. Not to mention the increasing issue with the supply chain.
Modern contractors are now adapting the way they operate to accommodate these increasing costs. They are doing this by offering bundle prices, warranties and even financing options without any interest. That being said, there are a number of people who choose the DIY option. Let’s take a look at both sides of the argument and how it can benefit.
Why People Are Choosing DIY
One of the reasons why people choose DIY over contractors, and it is likely the main reason, is that the price is significantly cheaper in comparison to a contractor. This is because the final price with a contractor includes a lot of labour costs.
Another reason why people choose DIY is that they can go at their own pace. The duration of it can be spread, and materials can be bought at their own pace. Not to mention that they can be bought when they are on sale, and therefore reduce the overall costs of the project.
Technology is more advanced than ever before and is extremely useful for DIY projects. For example, augmented reality apps are often used along with AI tools to help measure, design, and plan projects more accurately.
Although this may seem like a good solution, there are some risks that come with it. For example, mistakes by yourself can easily double the costs. Not to mention that it could affect the resale value.
Why People Are Sticking With Contractors
There are a number of reasons why people choose contractors, but the main reason is that they know it will be to a professional standard. It will also be completed at a much quicker rate compared to doing it themselves. Not to mention, they would likely bring a team along with them.
Another great benefit to using contractors is that they will likely receive discounts on the materials, as they will often order them in bulk.
Contractors will also have the right legal documentation to ensure that there are warranties, which is also important for reselling. A good example would be people installing their own insulation. It is very affordable just to order and install insulation; however, it will be unlikely that it will be covered with insulation. As insulation can be highly flammable, a contractor like CI Group must install conservatory insulation for you. Not only will you be covered with the insurance, but it will also be completed to a professional standard.
There can be a lot of jobs in a home, which can cost a lot of money and be very technical. This is why it is important to have a professional contractor to complete this job for you. As you could be dealing with gas, electricity or even water mains, where things can go wrong very quickly.
Why Choosing A Professional Can Be More Beneficial
There are a lot of hidden savings associated with getting a professional contractor. For example, the resale value can be more profitable if you have work done professionally. Furthermore, DIY work can tend to be voided in home insurance, especially if it hasn’t been inspected.
Consider A Hybrid Combination
To ensure you save the most money whilst gaining the most profit on your home, a hybrid approach may be more suitable. The best way to do this hybrid approach would be to consider DIY demolition, painting and landscaping. The reason is that you wouldn’t need insurance for this, and there is very little that can go wrong. However, when it comes to the more technical aspects of hybrid construction, it includes plumbing, electrical, structural work and even specialised finishes.
To Conclude
It is often a difficult question to answer whether or not you should choose to do it yourself or get a professional contractor to do it for you. That being said, it all comes down to the price, so if you can’t afford the professionals, then you will likely choose DIY. That being said, the best solution would be to do half and half. For the more technical jobs, you can use a contractor for gas, electricity and water; however, for decorating and landscaping, you can choose to do this yourself as it doesn’t require as much skill, and you don’t need to worry about warranties/ insurance as much.