Is It a DIY Job?

When we bought our home in foreclosure, it was suffering the effects of former fixes that didn't work out so well. That's being gracious. Electric wire was stapled to the walls, snaking up to light fixtures and receptacles, with haphazard connections when the wire apparently ran short. Above-the-floor plumbing, combined with inadequate heat and no insulation, resulted in burst pipes. The great miracle was not that anyone had lived there, but that they made it out alive.

This was exactly the kind of mess we were looking for. My husband, raised in the construction business and a master electrician, had the chops and tools for the job. As we encountered each miserable attempt by the former owners, it was all too easy to question their judgment. What money they poured into the home was misspent. Years down the road, we have a vastly improved home, yet there are areas that make us scratch our heads and say, "What were we thinking when we did it that way?"

Some remodeling projects are completely doable by the homeowner, with the right tools, knowledge, materials, and prep work. Other projects are best left to a contractor. How do you know where the line is? That's mostly up to your experience, available time, and willingness to make the effort and spend the money to do it right. From a financial angle, it can really pay off to DIY. Even if you have to DIY twice, it's cheaper than hiring a contractor.

Sheer determination isn't always enough. You could harm the resale value of your home with a botched remodel. Your home could be canceled or turned down for coverage, as most insurance companies require proof that a contractor performed the work for major repairs.

Your safety is a graver matter. In a study by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics in 2008, the occupation with the second highest amount of fatalities was construction trade workers. Pause and think. Do you have good health and life insurance? Have you made out your will?

Here is a short list of repairs that need expert handling to guarantee quality and a good return on your investment:

• Electricity: Any wiring inside the walls, ceiling, or panel box should be handled by a licensed, insured electrician.
  
  
• Plumbing: Avoid jobs involving enclosed pipes, which, if done incorrectly, could weaken surrounding structures and cause mold.
  
  
• Roofing: Steep roof angles and tricky dormer windows are just two conditions that could lead to costly mistakes.
  
  
• Refinishing Hardwood Flooring: Running a drum sander is a little scary for a beginner. You can easily leave dips and scratches. Only attempt it if you have a less-conspicuous area for adequate practice, like a child's bedroom or the mudroom.

So how does a homeowner on a tight budget keep his home ship-shape? He evaluates his resources (or lack thereof) and blends them with the best help he can find to make the most of his investment. If you are anything like us, you'll stubbornly persist in finding a way to do it yourself (although even my husband wisely hired a contractor to install the HVAC system). Try these ideas:

1. Barter your skills with another skilled tradesman.
   
   
2. Attend classes. Home Depot and other home improvement stores hold classes on specific projects, like laying tile. Some classes are free.
   
   
3. An online tutorial may be all you need to beef up on a subject. A case in point is drywall. It's a little tricky, but with a good tutorial and practice, you can do it. Be aware that some tutorials won't cover the odd bump in the road of a repair. Older homes are notorious for throwing a monkey wrench into the job just as you reach a very critical point. Practice sufficiently before you do the job.
   
   
4. Sometimes more hands will improve the result nearly as much as skill level, such as roofing a house.
   
   
5. Hire a contractor only for the most difficult parts of a project (he runs the drum sander on your wood floor, and you stain and finish), or work out a deal where you do the unskilled grunt work in exchange for a reduced bottom line.

Tackling a remodeling project is financially worthwhile and can be enormously gratifying. Ensure your project is a success story, and not a disaster, with plenty of research and foresight. Otherwise, your repairs could cost more in the long run, and all of your labor (sweat, blood and tears) will not turn into equity.

E. E. Kane is the joint pen name for Evan and Emma Kane's freelance writing business.

Take the Next Step:

• For more on home repair and remodeling DIY jobs, please click here.

Share your thoughts about this article with the editor: Click Here

Copyright 1996 - 2013 "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." All rights reserved unless specifically noted.

Contact the Dollar Stretcher at:
Dollar Stretcher
PO Box 14160
Bradenton FL 34280
941-761-7805

"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.

Also In This Week's Issue

• How to handle your parents moving in with you
• 7 tips for renters
• 9 reasons your credit card was declined
• Filing Ch. 7 on your own? Avoid these mistakes
• How to pay debt while improving credit score
• Avoid making this common investing mistake
• Life insurance from marriage into midlife
• Affordable life insurance after 50? Or 60?
• How to track unclaimed life insurance money
• How to quickly boost your credit score
• Why good manners can boost financial success
• When it's OK to tap your IRA

In The Dollar Stretcher Community

• Homemade smoothies
• Dollar Stretching Recipes: Slow cooker refried beans

Reader Favorites

• Cleaning fiberglass showers
• Grandma's beauty secrets
• Why use a pressure cooker
• Make money at the farmers market
• Easy desserts