It is a time to have your house refurbished or refreshed. If you are a keen DIYer, you may be tempted to undertake painting, tailing, flooring and other tasks yourself. But before you decide to give it a go, first consider all upsides and downsides of DIY home improvement versus hiring a professional to do it for you.
DIY option may be cheaper, but only when you know exactly what to do and what tools and materials you require. Professional builders have an access to cheaper materials and often get high discounts, which are unavailable for ordinary individuals. They also know exactly the amount of material required and have all the necessary tools, so you avoid spending money on things you will not need in the future. If you are moderately skilled DIYer, you may end up having to hire a pro anyway, which will highly increase the final price of your project.
You should only undertake DIY home improvement if you have enough free time. Some projects may be very demanding and take longer than you initially expected, especially if you meet any obstacles on your way. If you work full time and have free time only in the evenings you should rather consider hiring professionals. Good builders do their job quickly and efficiently, saving you a lot of time and stress. If you have trusted builders you might even consider going on holiday €" you will have your new, improved home ready when you come back.
Some jobs, e.g. electrical or gas can only be undertaken by certified professionals. Do not compromise the safety of your family and your own and do not attempt such jobs yourself. It is better to be safe than sorry, even if you have to spend some more money. All professional builders are insured and offer you the guarantee of satisfaction, so you do not lose your money when something goes wrong.
Finally the cleaning €" a nightmare of all DIYers. Home improvement works tend to be rather messy and leave you with a lot of rubble you have to clear up. If you really hate this thought consider hiring a pro. They will clean up when project is completed, leaving your home sparkling and ready to enjoy.
How to find a professional builder? The best way is to ask your friends for recommendation. You can also try local newspapers or the phone book. Internet is also a very useful source of information, providing you with photographs of completed works and clients' testimonials. Many builders offer a free, no obligation quote €" use this option to get a hanging of prices and the extent of work your home requires.
DIY option may be cheaper, but only when you know exactly what to do and what tools and materials you require. Professional builders have an access to cheaper materials and often get high discounts, which are unavailable for ordinary individuals. They also know exactly the amount of material required and have all the necessary tools, so you avoid spending money on things you will not need in the future. If you are moderately skilled DIYer, you may end up having to hire a pro anyway, which will highly increase the final price of your project.
You should only undertake DIY home improvement if you have enough free time. Some projects may be very demanding and take longer than you initially expected, especially if you meet any obstacles on your way. If you work full time and have free time only in the evenings you should rather consider hiring professionals. Good builders do their job quickly and efficiently, saving you a lot of time and stress. If you have trusted builders you might even consider going on holiday €" you will have your new, improved home ready when you come back.
Some jobs, e.g. electrical or gas can only be undertaken by certified professionals. Do not compromise the safety of your family and your own and do not attempt such jobs yourself. It is better to be safe than sorry, even if you have to spend some more money. All professional builders are insured and offer you the guarantee of satisfaction, so you do not lose your money when something goes wrong.
Finally the cleaning €" a nightmare of all DIYers. Home improvement works tend to be rather messy and leave you with a lot of rubble you have to clear up. If you really hate this thought consider hiring a pro. They will clean up when project is completed, leaving your home sparkling and ready to enjoy.
How to find a professional builder? The best way is to ask your friends for recommendation. You can also try local newspapers or the phone book. Internet is also a very useful source of information, providing you with photographs of completed works and clients' testimonials. Many builders offer a free, no obligation quote €" use this option to get a hanging of prices and the extent of work your home requires.
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