The question every homeowner will consider at least once before starting a home improvement project. Handy homeowners may even stall for months trying to answer: How much am I capable of doing myself? Sometimes paralyzing indecision results in doing nothing.
There are three main questions to ask yourself.
- Can I maintain my motivation?
Keeping in mind how long a Kitchen renovation can take, (four to six weeks for small to medium and up to six months for larger projects) can you wash dishes in the bathroom sink and eat carryout for the time it takes to complete? - Do I have the time?
The four to six weeks mentioned above is when professionals are doing it, as their day job. If you are working on it in the evenings and weekends, it will be much, much longer. Even if you had the time to work on it eight to ten hours a day you have to add the additional time it takes to learn as you go, which brings us to our last question. - If I’m honest with myself, what is my actual skill level?
This is the most important question because if not answered honestly and accurately can lead to the most expensive and time-consuming outcomes.
If you said no to any of these, hire a professional. If you responded yes to all three, or you are unsure about the third, here is a list of the most common steps of a remodel for which people have found it better to hire a professional.
- Design and planning
An experienced kitchen designer will save you money and time. They know how to maximize organization and storage space, great substitutes for high-end materials, and will have the experience to recognize and avoid potential problems before they arise. Having the knowledge to think strategically about the scope of the work and break it down into phases will be invaluable. - Structural changes and repairs
Light demolition like tearing out unwanted cabinets and fixtures is not a big deal, but for recognizing and repairing or changing structural members of your house, it’s better to hire a professional. Many older houses will have structural wear that may need upgrading during which an architect or in some cases a structural engineer may need to get involved. - Electrical, plumbing, and gas
For and significant utility work, there are obvious reasons for hiring a professional, not to mention for the necessary permits that may be required. - Asbestos
Something no one wants to find in the middle of a remodel but still shows up on occasion. If discovered, all work has to stop until it’s removal, which will require a professional.
The choice to hire a professional kitchen remodeler or DIY is an easy question for some and not so much for others, but hopefully, us here at Indiana Kitchen Company have brought to light a few unknowns so you may make a more informed decision.
