Renovating and DIY
DIY - something that we always encourage and love ourselves. Whether you are doing it to save money or to get that feeling of accomplishment being able to contribute to a project. There is so much info out there these days on guiding you. However, there are a few things that we always consider before taking on renovations and working out what to do ourselves versus bringing in professionals. We have seen plenty of mistakes over the years, which has ended up costing them much more to fix than it would have cost to have a professional in the first place. So it’s always better to go in fully aware of what you are taking on.
We are lucky in the fact that Andy is well-rounded in the building industry and capable of taking on almost anything, but even with that in mind, that doesn’t mean that we always do. Our considerations before committing to DIY projects are:
1. Is it something that we are capable of?
2. Do we have the required tools?
3. How much would it cost to have a professional do it?
4. Potential issues- what are they? How can we avoid them?
So let’s look a little more in-depth on those things and things we personally always consider prior to deciding if we are taking something on or not.
Is it something that we are capable of?
It’s crucial to only take on things that we are confident we can make work, as it's easy to watch a DIY video and think that it's simple, but the reality can be quite different. We have seen DIY projects go wrong, leading to costly mistakes that end up being more expensive to fix than it would have been to hire a professional. Thus, it's critical to only attempt projects we are confident about. Making sure we do our research, not only watching reels or videos but also looking at regulations and also manufacturers’ specifications. Just because you watch someone do it a certain way, doesn’t mean that it is the correct way for your specific project. Take VJ panelling as an example, in Western Australia, most homes are double brick, and certain panelling recommendations are that they should NOT be stuck directly to brick or masonry walls and battens should be used instead. However, most videos are not rendered or are against regulations. We aren’t saying that you should do it one way or the other however understanding these guidelines so you can make your own informed decision is crucial before beginning any DIY project. But this also applies when hiring someone to do it for you so education is the key when it comes to renovating.
Do we have the required tools?
When it comes to tools, while some are affordable, specialty tools are usually expensive and may not be worth purchasing for a single job. Hiring tools may also add up, especially if it takes longer than expected, making it as expensive as purchasing. Therefore, we always weigh the cost and time when deciding whether to buy or rent tools for a DIY project. And whether this cost alone will outweigh the benefit of just getting a professional in.
How much would it cost to have a professional do it?
During our planning stage, we obtain quotes for everything as a point of reference. We also consider the time it will take us to complete the tasks and whether it's worth our time. At times, it's more advantageous to undertake jobs within our expertise and hire a professional for specific tasks. Time is money, and if we know that our time is more valuable elsewhere, why take on unnecessary tasks? This varies for each person, and it's crucial to consider the financial and time costs when deciding between doing it yourself and hiring a professional.
Size of the job and what exactly is involved?
When it comes to renovating, things like full projects such as full bathrooms, kitchens etc are bigger jobs that require a schedule of trades over a period of time. And for someone who hasn’t done it before it can be extremely overwhelming and can lead to costly mistakes. You see, there is a process with renovations and each job will be a little different. Having the right trades for the job and understanding scheduling is super important because otherwise it can lead to massive timeframe blow outs and can end up with trades who will not want to work with you again.
You see as a tradie, and a past building supervisor it was something Andy had seen and knows it is a pet hate for trades. Turning up to a site that isn’t ready, or doesn’t have the correct items there for them. It not only wastes their time but also have a flow on effect for other jobs they are working on. Also for the schedule that you just made for other trades to come into your reno, theirs are also now all thrown out. So when it comes to full renovations unless you have the time to learn all the processes to avoid these things from happening, it is usually best to leave it to the professionals to manage especially if you are wanting things done in a timely manner.
All those things considered, we love to take on DIY projects and learn new things. But even for those who are less handy, there are always tasks around the house that most people can take on by themselves, such as small demos, painting, and yard work, which we always encourage. However, it's crucial to honestly self-reflect and determine our true capabilities based on our expertise and the skills required for each specific task. It's important to know what is involved and do thorough research before starting, instead of relying on a few DIY videos. Look at the size of the project and how much time you have on your hands and ask yourself - Can I do this and do I really want to do this?
Furthermore, looking at the manufacturer’s guidelines is crucial, as following them can ensure warranty coverage and prevent issues caused by improper installation. And of course for small things this isn’t a huge deal but it can end up being a big costly mistake if it is a bigger project. So sometimes the risk just doesn’t outway the savings so be smart and do your research first before taking on your next DIY project.
DIYing really can be amazing! But it can totally be a total disaster and incredibly stressful if you go in blind.