I’ve recently been blogging about the return on investment of a variety of home repairs when selling your home (see my September and October blogs for DIY tips). It can be tremendously satisfying (and money-saving) to make certain repairs yourself. So, this month we will explore those times when you might NOT want to attempt a DIY project and when it makes sense to rely on a contractor or other skilled tradesperson to do the work for you.
Let’s start with five important questions to ask yourself as you plan your home repair/upgrade:
1. Am I skilled enough to be SAFE doing the project myself? If the answer is no, that’s the decision made - safety first. Working on roofs, electrical issues, structural challenges, and plumbing are not only tricky, but they can also be dangerous.
2. Do I know how to do it? Or do I have a friend who does and wants to help? YouTube is full of DIY videos and many people have done large jobs with only a video as a partner. But if you aren’t sure, you might consider at least pricing the services of a professional as an alternative.
3. Will the job require a license or a permit? Do I have both of those things? If not, this is the time to start searching for a pro. Before you break open a wall or shut down your electrical system, check local ordinances and codes.
4. Do I have the right tools? If not, can I rent or buy them? And, if yes, is that cost low enough that it beats a contractor's price to do the job?
5. And finally, do I have the time to get it done? If a contractor can do it quickly and it would take me weeks because of life – is it worth doing myself? AND if I attempt it myself and it doesn’t work – won’t I have to hire a professional to fix my work anyway?
Let’s say you apply the five questions and decide to go with a pro. Let’s talk about how to find the right person or company for the job.
First, decide what type of professional you’ll need:
• For large projects like home remodels, you will need a general contractor.
• For smaller, specialty work, you want a specialty contractor – like an electrician, HVAC specialist, a plumber, a roofer or a flooring installer.
• And for the simplest jobs, consider a handyman (or woman) instead. Paint, fixtures, drywall repairs, etc. Once you know what kind of professional you’ll need, consider starting by asking people you trust.
For example:
• I’d be remiss by not starting with the obvious: ASK ME! REALTOR®s have a great database of contractors they’ve worked with or that their colleagues have worked with. With a suggestion from an experienced REALTOR®, you won’t be stabbing in the dark!
• Do you know someone who has had similar work done? Ask them who their contractor was and what the experience of working together was like.
• Do you follow any local social media groups that might be helpful? For example, does your HOA have a Facebook or Instagram account where you could pose the question? Or maybe check Nextdoor.
• If neither of the above applies, it’s time to start reading reviews. In fact, reading reviews is a good idea even if you DO have recommendations to check out. Check Google and Yelp to learn of others’ experiences.
• And, most importantly, make sure they are licensed and insured! Now that you’ve narrowed it down, consider the following:
• Get multiple quotes! Even if you prefer one contractor over another, it’s a good idea to have 2-3 quotes in hand. If the one you like the best gave a slightly higher quote than another, ask if they’d consider matching your lower quote. This is not insulting to the contractor, and it happens a lot.
• Ask if you can see work they’ve done in the past. If the work is on the exterior of a home, it should be no problem to get a few addresses and drive by.
• Ask about warranties. Some contractors offer to guarantee their work. This could make the difference between two whose bids are close.
No matter which route you go – DIY or professional help – let me help you prioritize home upgrades and repairs before buying OR selling property. That’s what your REALTOR® partner is here for!
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