With all the home renovation TV shows that show remodeling projects being completed quick and easy as Do It Yourself (DIY) or You Tube and Blogger videos on seemingly everything you could want to know about renovation projects or the Big Box Retailers conducting DIY demonstrations, it is easy to believe that any renovation project is easy and can be completed by anyone.
There are many skilled trades in the residential renovation/construction industry and they are skilled for a reason, you want it done right. To become skilled takes time, training and practice, which is not usually something a DIYer has. Foundations, electrical, plumbing, framing and insulation all require inspection by a building official, because they are critical elements in a home and must be completed to meet the National Building Code or they can become a hazard to your home. A home is most likely your biggest investment, so you should protect it by ensuring all work is done right and the best way to do that is by hiring a pro.
A construction site can be extremely dangerous, unless you have safety training and know what hazards to look for. Using personal protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses, respirators, steel toe work boots, long pants (not shorts), all are important to protect you personally from getting injured. One unexpected visit to the emergency room can change your life forever. Working at heights, even off a ladder, may require fall protection training and a harness to work safely. Working with power tools can easily cause serious injury if you are not familiar and nobody want to lose a finger or an eye.
Asbestos, mould and lead are common hazards in a renovation that professionals know about and how to deal with safely. It is possible to contaminate your entire home with asbestos dust, by removing a wall that has asbestos containing plaster or the hardwood floor with asbestos containing underlay. When you breath in asbestos dust it can causes a disease called asbestosis, which can cause a very painful death a few decades later. Or the dust from sanding lead-based paint, which can cause lead poising if enough is ingested. Professionals are aware of the hazards and take precautions to protect themselves and your home from contamination.
In todays world of manufacturing, many products require specialty tools to complete the job. Investing in all the tools to do the job right can be expensive, that is part of the cost to hire a skilled trades person. Purchasing $1000’s in tools to complete a one-time project does not always make sense, unless that makes you happy. A chop saw for trim work can cost $800-1000 or a table saw for $400-800, not to mention the assortment of hand and small power tools required to complete even smaller project.
This is the one thing we all have a limited supply of, therefore, it is important to spend your time and energy wisely, on things you do well and hopefully enjoy. If you earn a living in a career that you enjoy, it may be best to do that work and hire a professional to do your renovation, just a thought. It is important to note, that many DIY projects end up taking much longer then advertised or first expected. Leaving an unfinished bathroom, kitchen, basement, etc. for weeks on end can be very stressful on relationships and disruptive to your regular schedule. Working nights and weekends can be very demanding and difficult to maintain.
It is easy to look at the cost of hiring a professional and think, maybe I can DIY and save some money. If you have the time, talent and training to do the job safely and there is limited risk to your home, then you certainly can give it a shot. Often the TV Shows, You Tube Videos and Professional Demonstrations, make it look way easier than it is and don’t show the obstacles that could arise, such as rot replacement, faulty wiring or plumbing, damaged or complexed structures or hazards associated with the job.
A project completed by a professional trades person, with experience, training and passion for their craft, almost always has a better quality and final finish then a DIY. Not to say that some DIY projects don’t look great, just a professional knows all the ways to make it looks the best it can.
We have been called in to finish many a DIY project gone wrong or had to renovate a home which was completed previously by DIY, ultimately there are always issues. Fortunately, professionals know how to address the issues and ensure the job is done right.
I hope this article is helpful when you are planning your next renovation and you are trying to decide, should we DIY or not.
Dan Monk, P.Eng.
Owner / Civil Engineer / Red Seal Carpenter
MONK Renovations
