When To Call In Reinforcements

Many homeowners prefer to tackle jobs on their own. After all, do-it-yourself is in vogue. But, there are times when it's a good idea to call in a pro.

So, how to you make the decision on when it's right to get a contractor?

There are some basic things you'll want to look at before making the decision to go it alone or hire a specialist. They include:

• Building requirements: Do local codes specifically require a licensed professional to handle the job. This will vary from location to location, but some locales even require a pro for minor repair jobs. Check out the laws before you proceed.
• Be honest with yourself. Almost anyone can change a light bulb, but replacing a home's electrical system is another story. Don't inflate your abilities, but don't discount them either. Before making the decision on whether to hire or not, check out the job, get some pointers and make a careful evaluation of whether it's something you can or even want to do.
• Consider the time. If it's a big job, do you really have the time to do it yourself? Are you willing to dedicate this time?
• Costs. Sometimes it's simply cheaper to hire a pro, other times doing it yourself can save you a lot of money in the long run.
• Do part of the job. If you can handle a phase at the start and then call in a pro to do the rest, that's ok. For example, if you're wanting to redo your kitchen, do the demo and removal on your own and let a contractor install the cabinets, floors and countertops. You'll save yourself a little money in labor, but the end product will look like a pro tackled it.

Deciding when to fly solo and when to call in a licensed contractor can be tricky, but generally if the job looks too big, sounds too big and simply is too technical, don't do it on your own. You run the risk of spending the money on the do-it-yourself necessities to only find out you need to spend more to bring in a contractor to finish the job.

Often times, you can still get involved in the process while leaving the technical or specialty work up to a contractor, too. This enables you to save some money while getting active in your home repair or remodel. Plus, you'll have the peace of mind in knowing that the project is completed correctly.