It's great to be able to take care of simple repairs and maintenance yourself. Doing it yourself can save you money if you've got the time to spend.
However, not every project is worth taking on yourself - some are better suited to a professional. Before tackling a project yourself, we think there are a few things to consider: money, time and workmanship.
Money
By doing a project yourself, you will be paying only for materials, which could potentially save a significant amount of money. However, before you assume that you can cut the cost of your project in half, there are a couple of things to take into account.
1. Cost of tools: Certain projects require specialty tools. You will either have to buy or rent these tools if you don't already have them. Of course, the more projects you take on, the more tools you will have on hand and the cost of future projects will then be reduces. While it's always good to have a good collection of basic tools, the cost of more single-purpose or specialty tools may not make financial sense for you.
2. Logistics: Unless you're taking on a job you've done before or you're confident that you're familiar with the materials needed and the steps to take, count on taking longer to do the job than an experienced professional would who arrives equipped to do the job.
If you've got the time, this may not be a big deal. Just keep in mind that each time you head out to buy tools or materials, it will cost you time and money for gas. Factor in rental fees and delivery charges, too. And remember, these would all be included in the cost quoted to you by the person you're trying not to call.
3. Waste and mistakes: No matter how many projects you take on at home yourself, your experience can never be equivalent to someone's who does the same thing everyday, all week, as their job. It's just a natural fact. You have to accept that you will be learning on the job and making mistakes and wasting material in the process. Again, no biggee if the relative costs still make sense for you, you have the time, and you want to learn some of these skills for yourself. But if it really is about money, remember that when you hire the professional, you are paying not just for his labor, but also for his experience and expertise.
4. Warranty: Installing a fixture or major appliance? Before you start, find out if the manufacturer will only honor their warranty if an authorized contractor installs it. Even if this isn't an issue, keep in mind you will also be passing on any warranty offered by the contractor (that you would rather not call). Here at Boden Plumbing we certainly guarantee our work. If you do the work yourself, you will be giving up that assurance.
Time
It's a simple question: How much is your time worth - and how do you want to spend it? DIY can definitely be a satisfying, and even enjoyable, way to occupy your time - and why hire someone else to do something you enjoy doing yourself?
Just so you know:
1. First: It's not like they show on TV. Things take time. Those so-called reality shows? They do a lot of editing.
2. Second: With experience comes speed. If you don't have the experience, know your house could be disrupted for the duration of the project.
3. And bottom line: Remember you do have a real job and home repairs isn't it. Any job you take on will come second to your other responsibilities. Be realistic. How much time do you have?
Workmanship
This also comes with time and experience - yours or the professional you've hired to do the job for you. But there's also attention to detail and a certain pride in work well done that factors in. You can buy the best materials, but if they are not installed properly and the job is not done cleanly and neatly, well you might as well have saved your money.
1. Beware the do-it-yourselfer do-over. It happens, but choose which jobs to tackle wisely and you will save yourself the frustration and extra time and money. Bad DIY will cost you.
2. At Boden Plumbing we take pride in doing the job well. We don't rush through jobs. We know that can lead to mistakes and call backs. Instead we aim to work efficiently and avoid costly mistakes. Find contractors and service providers that you trust to do a good job, and you might feel more inclined to call them in the first place.
So just a few things to consider. Call us here at the office if you want any advice before starting - or if you get stuck half way through. DIY can be a real money saver and give you a sense of accomplishment - but it can also be frustrating, time consuming, and more costly than expected. Remember, we're here to help.
Oh, and one last thing.
There's an important rule of thumb to keep in mind when you do go for the DIY option. Never start taking anything (important) apart on a Friday afternoon. If you get stuck (and usually it's the jobs that are started on a Friday afternoon that run into trouble), the plumber will have gone home and you might be without some important fixture for the weekend.
If you run into trouble, however, we do schedule appointments on Saturdays, although there is just one plumber available, so it's still best not to tempt fate.
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photo credit: jonlarge's photo stream
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