by Jessica Kwasnica, Seaside Cabinetry & Design –
When planning to renovate your home, one of your first thoughts might be: “Do I hire a professional or try to save money and do it on my own?”
Completing a new build or a remodel involves a lot of planning and decision making. From the get-go there are important choices that need to be made, from the less exciting things like room sizes, plumbing and electrical layout, heating and being code-compliance conscious to the more enjoyable decisions of choosing paint colours, cabinetry, flooring, countertops and accessories. Having to make these decisions can often turn what could be a fun and exciting time into a stressful and time-consuming nightmare.
Although on the surface you may think that being your own general contractor will save you money, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Pricing: Contractors get preferred pricing from trades and suppliers. Contractors pay less because of the volume of business they do. Although you will be paying your contractor a fee, you may be able to re-coup some of those costs in the savings they can provide you.
Learn from someone else’s mistakes: When completing a renovation yourself, you may have trouble finding all the appropriate trades required. On the other hand, contractors typically have a team of trades they use, blending the best mix of pricing, quality and professionalism. Hiring trades that are inexperienced or do not complete work to your quality standards can be costly and stressful. Redoing poor or improperly completed work will often end up costing you double or triple the original price.
Timing: Scheduling a job is very difficult; having it run smoothly is even harder. If you plan on doing it yourself but still have a day job, be prepared for it to take much longer. Without having someone onsite to manage those daily dilemmas, things will not be completed as quickly as you would like. If you plan on taking time off from work to manage the project yourself, remember to balance that cost with the cost of hiring a professional to do it instead.
Resale: Your contractor should be able to help you get the most value out of your home. Their experience and the experience of their team of subtrades in design, product knowledge, innovations and trends will allow you to get maximum value for your home should you decided to sell it in the future.
Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire a contractor, make sure any agreements you make are in writing. This will assure you both understand the scope and limitations of the project and know exactly what you are paying for.
For more information visit www.seasidecabinetry.ca.
