isitOwning a home offers several advantages. You get tax benefits. You can sell it for a higher price in the future and it’s good for building your credit.
But being a homeowner also means ongoing maintenance, which is no easy task. You have to devote time, energy, and effort to keep your home in tip-top shape.
A big part of that is renovating your home’s exterior. If you’re wondering whether it’s better to hire a pro or DIY exterior home renovations, this guide will help you.
When and Why to DIY
Let’s be honest. DIY is a tempting solution when money is tight.
It’s not even about skill level. You may be good enough to tackle exterior home renovations by yourself. But deep down, you know that it’s going to take a lot of your time – time which you could be using for work or spending with your family.
And yes, you may be the type of homeowner who derives satisfaction from installing a new garage door or vinyl sidings. But again, you have to be honest with yourself.
Can you sustain your motivation long enough to finish such big projects? If your answer’s no, you’re better off checking out home renovation companies in your area.
The Case for Hiring a Pro
One of the hassles of renovating exteriors is you have to secure permits to make sure everything’s up-to-code. A pro can manage those permits and specifications so you don’t have to worry about running afoul of the law. Plus, pros will also ensure they don’t hit anything that will affect your home’s structural integrity (e.g. plumbing or electrical lines).
Let’s say your big exterior project is a new concrete driveway. A new driveway from Decorative Concrete, for example, is most likely to hold up better over time than something you just DIY’ed.
This is because Decorative Concrete pros know the best materials for driveways and walkways. They also know how to lay it properly so that it won’t sink into your yard, while simultaneously preventing weeds and insects from taking over your drive.
It’s All Up to You
There’s no denying that completing a DIY project can be wonderful for your wallet and your sense of accomplishment. Just make sure you’re skilled enough to pull it off or you’ll rack up more expenses than you intended.
Plus, you have to commit to it. Don’t DIY if you don’t have a lot of time to spare or if you can’t sustain the motivation to see it through to the end.
Now, if you’ve decided to hire a pro, don’t forget to do your research. Always go for licensed contractors and make sure they’ve been in the business long enough and that they have insurance certificates.
Need a Pro for Exterior Home Renovations?
Finding the right team to work on your home can be a challenge. If you want to make the process easier, use our searching tool.
You can also check out our blog if you want to know more about home repair and other related topics.