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Hiring A Handyman vs a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Project

When you buy a home, it’s a great feeling. Whether it’s your first home or one of many you have owned there are always going to be challenges, unforeseen repairs, and renovations that will come up. It’s estimated that the average UK homeowner spends between 1% and 2% of their home value per year just to maintain and do the basic repairs. That percentage will rise significantly if you should decide to refurb or do heavier construction tasks.

Most homeowners become ‘do it yourself’ (DIY) experts simply out of necessity. The reason being that most handymen and contractors charge the same amount per hour, regardless of the work being done. So something simple like changing out screens in your windows could cost the same per hour as complex electrical work etc. But even if you can do something yourself, there is also great value in hiring a professional depending on the experience or skill level involved in the job. The various factors and questions that go into deciding what you can do yourself and what should be hired out to a professional is precisely what we are going to talk about below.

HANDYMAN SERVICES

– Plumbing repairs and installation
– Painting & decorating
– Bathroom refurbishment

– Tiling
– Plastering
– Kitchen refurbishment

Will the job affect my safety?

Most of the time DIY jobs are generally going to be small and non-life threatening. However if you are considering tackling something bigger you should begin with asking yourself what’s the worst-case scenario would be if you do it incorrectly. If the answer is something that could harm you and your family, then you should seriously consider hiring the task out to a professional before continuing.

Does the job require a permit?

The requirement of a permit should always be a red flag on any DIY project. A building permit is a simple document that insures any construction activities were done correctly and the resulting building or renovation work will be up to code standards. If you are confident you can complete the task and have the necessary skills to do it safely, then you can easily apply for a permit with the city or local council. It’s important to note that if you should choose to push forward with a job without first obtaining a permit you are putting yourself at risk down the road for possible fines or even difficulty selling your property.

Do you know the scope of the job?

First Writing down the scope or the tasks required to complete the job before you begin. This will help you to visualize the process from start to finish. It will also be a good chance for you to tie in inspiration and solidify what you would like the final product to look like. From there just break down your costs for building materials, tools and how much time it will take to complete. Once the scope is finished it will help you to decide whether or not to continue on your own or to hire a professional.

Are you prepared to commit the time?

Most homeowners are ‘weekend warriors’ who work on their house projects in the off-time between jobs and family. The most important factor is to consider whether or not you will have the time to complete a DIY job. In some cases, a job that would normally take you weeks, could take a handyman couple of days. If you take the time to lay out the scope, we discussed above it will give you a good idea of how much time you will need to set aside.

Whether you choose to do the job yourself or if you choose to hire a handyman to help you with your projects, you will know what you are getting into either way. At CleanArrow™, we have years of experience that can help you navigate through any home construction projects.

Give us a call for more info on: 0800 689 1013 we can give you an honest estimate and a helpful outlook on your vision.