From DIY Pinterest boards to HGTV shows to “tiny house” documentaries, no wonder there’s been an increase in the number of home improvement sales over the past few years! More and more people are finding themselves overflowing with inspiration and curious to see what they can do with a hammer and some nails. If you’ve been thinking about tackling your own Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home improvement projects, read on for a few important things you should take into consideration first.
Here’s some advice on how homeowners can assess their own home improvement ideas:
- Consider your skill level
Before committing yourself to any DIY home improvement project, the Home Improvement Center of Dayton recommends asking yourself, “Do I have the skills required to do this work?”
Why ask? This helps you keep from getting in over your head, becoming stressed out, injuring yourself, or spending more money than you should.
- Will the project increase your home’s value?
There are more home improvement options available to DIY consumers than ever before. This allows for some serious creativity.
Of course, before embarking on any home improvement project, you’ll want to pause to consider whether the project will actually increase (or potentially decrease) the value of your home. A project that boosts your home’s value will pay off nicely when you decide to put it on the market,
- Have realistic expectations
If you choose to tackle a home improvement project yourself, here are some things you should know going into it. First, you may want to get expert opinions – even if you don’t plan on hiring a contractor. At the very least, try contacting your local Home Builder’s Association (HBA) for advice before you begin. They can point you in the right direction.
Second, try not to compare yourself too much to what you’ve seen on television shows, YouTube videos, or social media home improvement boards. You have no way of knowing the behind-the-scenes work (or the amounts of money) that went into creating the beautiful home renovations you’ve seen on TV shows or Pinterest boards. Instead, try to assess your own skill level, and determine what expectations are realistic based on the amount of time and money you can afford to this project.
- When to call a professional
Sometimes, home improvement projects are big, messy, expensive – and better left to the professionals. Finding the right professional for the jobs you outsource can be tricky. Here are some tips and tricks for finding a reliable professional, including what questions you should ask before making your final decision. You might also want to consider hiring help to move items to and from storage, regardless of whether or not you are tackling a DIY project on your own.
From landscaping to remodeling the guest bathroom to installing a pond in the backyard, it’s important to take some time to proactively assess any home improvement projects before you commit to doing them yourself. There really are some situations that are best left to the professionals. In these cases, the money you spend on professional help will be worth it because of the stress it will save you in the long run.
Paul enjoys working on DIY home repair projects and sharing his knowledge with DIY beginners and experts. You can learn more about Paul here.