Should I Do It Myself?

​In most family circles, there seems to always be a character who has a strong philosophy of "if you want anything done right, you have to do it yourself." DIY in this context, carries the meaning of performing any task such as general home repairs, woodworking, small or major home remodeling projects with the perspective that no one can do it satisfactorily but you. Does this define your sentiments? But much more than philosophy is required because it also includes having the skillset, the time, and the appropriate tools for it to be done correctly.

In a recent episode, my guest, a woodworker from North Carolina, the woodworking capital of the world, elaborated on the personal principles we must have to do a woodworking project without error. And in this article I will share with the help of my guest and a forthcoming episode guest in DIY home remodeling, and with your permission we will be discussing an overall consideration on what it takes to DIY a project the right way.

My guest indicated that you must start small if you want to develop the skills in woodworking by constructing a simple box perfectly. You may be asking why is this so?

because most furniture items are just variations of boxes, she said. A Kitchen cabinet is just an upright box with doors and sectionals within. A bedroom dresser is here again a vertical box with horizontal boxes within. And most tables are variations of boxes and so forth. The point is, there is always a learning curve in any do it yourself endeavor and it takes being honest with yourself whether we have those skills or the time and the desire to learn and put it into implementation.

Assuming you have the skills, do you have the time  needed to get the job done? Would you be giving up other activities that you deem a priority? Sometimes we just do not have the hours in a day to finish a project in a timely fashion, not to mention the psychology of a dreaded task despite having the skills.

Many time it does not make any sense, from a monetary point of view to do it yourself when it would cost you much more from a  financial standpoint, by allowing priorities to fall to the wayside, in which case, it would make sense to hire someone instead.

In terms of DIY being dangerous, we cannot afford to be cavalier about  such things as sensitive electrical work, no matter how many YouTube you viewed, and if you are not a certified electrician, it is best to leave it to the professional, it calls for you to be circumspect.

Whether it is balancing on a slippery roof, installing an electrical panel, or wrestling with a heavy garage door, certain home remodeling projects lend themselves to precarious physical situations. Before venturing a DIY project, we must always ask ourselves whether   I could get seriously injured or worse. And if the answer is a resounding  yes  or perhaps a maybe,  then hiring a professional is not only the preferrable choice, but the only choice.

We must think of the ripple effect it may cause not just to ourselves, but also  to others. Considerations such as whether we have safe places for storing tools and hazardous supplies away from children and pets while in the process of the DIY, it must take priority. It is no wonder there are regulatory agencies that oversee the training and licensing to perform certain jobs. In fact, if you live in a homeowner’s association, you may be prohibited altogether to proceed without a bonded and licensed  professional.

Erecting a wooden fence, demolishing a wall, or varnishing the top of a table are small home improvement tasks that many homeowners often do themselves. Learning a new skillset along the way and enjoying the process does engender a sense of satisfaction. Speaking of this, I have always done my own plumbing over the years, and can confidently do it blindfolded at this point, it is a matter of having the right tools.

It is easy to replace and Install a Toilet, No Plumber is Needed, how to repair big or small nail holes  in your walls, you really do not need a handyman, unless you do not have the time and patience to deal with it. However, we must admit, other projects are not conducive to the “learn as you go” approach.

Remember that making mistakes is inherent in everything we do, therefore, a mistake may damage your home and destroy its facade or outer appearance. You may have to call in a contractor to repair the horrible mess. And at the end of the day, it may cost you more than it would have cost you in the first place.

Ironically, it is not always inexpensive to DIY. In fact, it is possible you could end up spending more to buy the necessary tools and supplies than hiring a contractor.

Depending on the project, many renovations projects require specialized expensive tools. For instance, in remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, and you want to keep the wife happy,  a high-end manual tile cutter is necessary and can cost as much as three thousand dollars. However, if a project is one-of-a-kind, does the investment really make sense? However, it would only make sense if your thoughts are to turn your project into a side hustle, and only then, the investment  would be worthwhile.

Another aspect of quantifying the expense  are the materials needed. Of course, you would pay for those anyway, some big box stores, however, frown in dealing with amateurs or they will charge more for small orders.

I can tell you this from experience, when I was hot and heavy in renovating residential investment properties, I clearly saw a stark difference in how you are preferentially treated at some of these big box stores. I was able to develop a rapport with the contractor’s desk which allowed me price discounts and was never treated as a novice even though I was not a licensed contractor, it is all about volume and profit. However, allow me to fill you in on a little-known fact in dealing with these supply stores. Despite not being a general contractor, and you are looking for highly discounted home materials, always ask the store manager if there are any specialty orders that were never picked up, and you will be amazed and totally thrilled to be able to purchase the item many times for less than 30% from the actual retail price.

To circle around, in contrast, contractors are often offered better deals on materials because of volume. Therefore, given the circumstances, it may make more sense to hire a professional.

No matter how you cut it, pun intended, if your intentions  is saving financially , you are losing on the other side of the spectrum which is a valuable commodity called TIME that can never be replaced. So, you must know yourself, is your decision based  on saving money or is it the sense of joy and pride you will receive thereof?

Personal Loan:

Depending on the size of the project, financing is often needed. A personal loan from your bank or credit union  are a preferred financing choice for home remodeling projects, especially since the approval time is usually expeditious. They typically  have higher credit limits and offer lower interest rates than credit cards and can typically be satisfied over a period of a year to five years. You will need an excellent credit history and stable employment income to meet the criteria for personal financing.

Home Equity Loan:

Then there is the home equity loan, which is also known as a second mortgage, a home equity loan uses the home as security for borrowing against its equity. This works well  for homeowners who readily need access to copious amounts of cash for major remodeling. Here again, home equity loan interest rates will vary based on your credit history, your financial health, and any other requirements required by your lender, called overlays.

Home Equity Line of Credit: (HELOC)

There is also the home equity line of credit that is offered. HELOCs are remarkably like home equity financing but with one key contrast, they offer a revolving line of credit in lieu of a single payment loan. You can draw from the HELOC multiple times, and you are only required  to pay on the interest during the interim of the draw. HELOCs are best for homeowners who are not certain of the size of the remodel, or the ultimate amount of funding needed.

The bottom line, let me leave you with a woodworker's saying "measure twice, cut once." And if you have taken the foregoing to heart, allow me to wish you well!