PLANNING IS EVERYTHINGIf there is one piece of advice I would give to every homeowner regardless of the circumstances it is this: Plan first, then do. Careful planning on your part is a prerequisite to undertaking any home improvement project, major or minor. In fact, the quickest way a "minor" project balloons into a major one is when you haven't thought it through in advance. I have seen more people get in over their heads because they did not think things through before starting work.
Whether you hire someone or do the work yourself, expect to spend more time and money than you initially anticipate. But by choosing well, you can ensure that the work you do adds the greatest value at the lowest cost.
Be methodical. Try breaking your list into "exterior" and "interior" projects, then break it down by room. Decide which projects you are going to take on yourself and which require outside help, and do a rough cost estimate for each job.
One rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if you do the work yourself, you will probably recoup more than you would pay out for some improvements. You can probably save anywhere from 10 to 30 percent by removimg hired labor from the equation. On the other hand, you might pay more for work done by professionals, but the improvements can speed up the sale of your property.
Whether you should tackle the work yourself or hire a professional depends on several things. Do you have the time? Can your friends or relatives help you, or are you going to do it all yourself? How skilled are you and your helpers in the task at hand?
You may decide to split the job, the contractor does the major work and you do the finishing. Doing the least amount of work yourself can still save you money. Whatever you do, the key lies in doing it well. If it means hiring a professional, do it. A poorly done job can do you more harm than good.
Bryan VogtStrano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate
(618) 355-5824
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# posted by
Bryan Vogt @ 3:00 PM
