4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Remodel Your Kitchen On Your Own
All of the guides online make it seem so easy to do home improvement projects yourself. However, there are many reasons why this may not be the best idea from a practical standpoint. If you do not have the necessary skills, you take more time and create more frustration for yourself when you DIY a big project. Hiring a professional is the most ideal way to ensure that you get the kitchen you want, without worry that it will fall apart.
1. Construction is Complicated
People are led to believe that construction is simple to do on your own because it is a traditional trade, and the tools, materials and guides are pretty widely accessible. However, your ability to purchase a saw and wood and your ability to turn that wood into beautiful cabinets that will support your possessions are two completely different things. An architect can contract specific remodeling jobs to businesses that already own the equipment needed to create the cabinets, lay granite countertops, re-work plumbing and more. If you do it on your own, it is your job to rent, buy or borrow the necessary equipment, just for this one project. It is a complicated endeavor that requires a lot of prior knowledge about construction in general. Otherwise, you run the risk of making a costly error.
2. Plumbing is Tricky
You may have had a lot of practice cleaning out your P-trap or installing a garbage disposal. However, this is only the very beginning of plumbing projects. Even just installing a new dishwasher where the old one sat can be difficult. The new equipment may require different hoses and other attachments. If you do not know what you need to buy, you will make many wasted trips to the hardware store trying to find out. That’s the comparatively easy stuff. The moment you decide that you want to create an island with a sink or something similar, you should be contacting a professional.
3. Replacements are Expensive
As with all things related to your home, if you do it by yourself and make a mistake, you may cost yourself a lot more in expensive repairs and replacement equipment and materials. Whenever you consider a DIY project, you should add some costs for the things you bought incorrectly, and any replacement parts or materials. That is why many experts say that DIY can actually be more expensive than hiring a professional to create your dream kitchen. After all, you may not know the best thickness of a shelf board for your kitchen cabinets, but a professional does. Inexperience increases the likelihood that you will use inadequate materials, which may fail or force you to replace them within only a year or two.
4. You Have Better Things to Do With Your Time
Whenever you do the math on doing a project yourself or hiring a professional to do it, it is highly tempting to just calculate how much money you will save. However, you should also factor in time and inconvenience. A kitchen remodel undoubtedly takes longer when there are just a couple of people working on it, especially when they are not experts in the trade. Consider how long you can go without your kitchen. A professional in charge of the design and carryout of your project will schedule contractors to come in for installation to minimize your inconvenience. That way, all you have to do is consult on the project, and enjoy the results.
DIY poses major risks, especially for bigger projects. If the point is to save money, it is more practical to scale back your design plans and hire a professional than to try to build an elaborate design that is well beyond your personal skill level. It’s a better choice for your home and your sanity.
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