The draw towards DIY is stronger than ever due to costs savings. Plus, there are so many tv shows and videos to inspire you.

However, not all DIY projects are easy or cost-effective. Ask yourself these questions before you decide to DIY or hire a professional.

Do You Have the Skills, Equipment, & Knowledge?

Unfortunately, home improvement shows make it seem simple to redo your home easily. While this may be true in some cases, other times you may not have what it takes for great results.

If you don’t have the tools, experience, and knowledge necessary to lay expensive tile, build a piece of costly furniture, or install new bathroom fittings, leave it to the professionals. Otherwise, you may need to hire a pro later to correct your work.

Will The Hours You Spend Justify the Savings?

Normally, a professional can complete work much quicker than you can. If you choose to do the work yourself, consider how these extra hours will impact your life.

If you’re retired and motivated, this may not be an issue. However, when you work, your time may be better spent earning more income. In this case, hiring a professional can make more sense.

How Much Stress Will Your Project Create?

Just changing the backsplash in the kitchen will create noise, dust, and inconvenience. You may not even like this type of work, but feel compelled because it seems simple and could save you money.

However, those who lead a busy life may not want to spend their evenings and weekends on renovations. Consequently, your project can drag on and create resentment.

As mentioned, professional should get the job done quicker. That way you can get back to normal much faster and reduce stress.

Does the Work Involve Major Systems?

Changing the wiring, replumbing your home, or updating your HVAC system is best left to the professionals. They train for this work and have the knowledge needed to avoid disasters.

A water leak could lead to considerable property damage and mold. An improper electrical connection can cause a house fire. Messing around with your HVAC system could leave you without A/C in the summer or heat in the winter. It’s simply not worth it – hire a pro.

Is Serious Injury a Possibility?

Some jobs are just too dangerous for most homeowners. As an example, replacing your roof could lead to a fall or a third-party injury.

The same applies if you’re considering removing a wall. Even professionals seek an engineer’s advice when they’re unsure whether wall removal will impact structural soundness.

Does Your Insurance Policy Protect You?

Many homeowners do not consider whether their homeowners insurance policy will protect them during renovations. Should you perform work that later causes a problem, there’s a chance it won’t.

This is because a homeowners policy is meant to cover sudden, accidental damage. Additionally, most policies exclude poor workmanship, whether you or a contractor does the work.

If you do the work and it leads to damages, you will probably pay out-of-pocket for repairs. However, contractors should have their own insurance coverage. If their faulty workmanship leads to damage, they can be held liable.

Always verify the contractor has at least a $500,000 certificate of liability insurance. They should also be registered with the RI Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board. You can check their status and whether they’ve had any complains or regulatory violations here.