One big question to ask yourself when preparing for a backyard renovation is whether to DIY or hire a professional. Making this decision doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful, it is as simple as running through a checklist to evaluate the options. The main considerations are: time, money, and skills before you determine who should do the work.
Before committing to doing it yourself, be realistic about how much time the work will take to complete, and your ability and willingness to invest this time. Consider writing up a schedule to allocate the hours needed to complete your backyard renovation project.
If the work completely disrupts your daily routine or takes your time and energy away from your day-to-day job, you may want to consider hiring a professional. A pro will provide you a project timeline and will have the necessary resources to keep things on schedule. They are experienced in handling project hiccups without letting the timeline get too far off track.
While you can save money by doing the project yourself, it doesn’t always end up being the most cost-effective option. Contractors typically receive discounts on materials and already have the tools required for the job. You may end up spending more money if you have to buy everything for your project.
You may rent most of the tools you need. It is helpful to develop a do-it-yourself budget, including realistic costs for buying or renting tools and equipment.
Having a professional on the job can mean the difference between having a finished backyard that you love in time for summer or a money pit project with a never-ending timeline.
The general rule for DIY'ers is to undertake projects you feel comfortable with and have the skill set to complete with good results. Most are handy with a paintbrush and can save bucks by taking on small cosmetic improvements themselves. Others are willing to expand their repertoire to install tiles or even build a deck.
Before deciding to DIY your project, research the skills required to reasonably complete it and then assess yourself honestly to see if it makes sense to attempt it.
Some tasks are highly specialized and require years of training to handle them on your own. If you’re not quite sure what you’re doing when you tackle a job, you risk having to call in a contractor to fix your mistakes – costing you more in the long run.
When considering a backyard improvement project, you’ll want to know the difference between a DIY job and one that should be handled by an experienced contractor. By considering the time you have to spend on the project, your experience and the difficulty of the job, as well as the costs, you can weigh the benefits and make the best decision for your situation.
