It can be tempting to take a “do it yourself” approach to home projects, as you can save quite a bit of money doing so. However, handling projects yourself can eat up a lot of precious free time, and if you’re not completely confident in what you’re doing, you run the risk of encountering some serious issues down the line.
General contractors exist to take this DIY work off your plate, and are capable of handling jobs ranging from landscaping to remodels to full home builds. Here’s a quick look at some of the biggest benefits associated with using general contractors for your projects:
- Quality: A general contractor will be able to get the job done correctly, as they have the tools and training necessary to complete your project well. You can trust the job will be done right the first time around, so you don’t have to waste your money doing it all over again.
- Safety: If you aren’t completely confident in your ability to take on a project yourself, it’s important to avoid doing so. Not only could you produce bad work, but you could also put yourself at risk of injury in a job-related accident. General contractors have well-maintained equipment, established safety procedures and knowledge of the job that will keep workers safe.
- Warranties and insurance: When working with general contractors, you get extra protection in the form of warranties and insurance. Warranties guarantee the work done by the contractor and the materials used in the project so that if anything goes wrong during the coverage period, you can have it replaced or repaired free of charge. Contractors with insurance are covered in the event an accident occurs on your property while workers are handling your job. This protects you from any personal liability should such an accident occur. You should never work with a contractor that is uninsured or does not offer any warranties.
- Time: Even if you believe you are capable of doing the job well on your own, you still have to consider whether the time it will take you to do it is worth the money you save. Most people doing DIY work are doing it during their evenings and on weekends, which means you’re giving up a whole lot of free time that could be spent relaxing or enjoying other hobbies. When you work with a contractor, the job will be done much faster and you won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of having an active construction site at your home for an extended time.
- Potential for savings: While you can expect to pay more at the outset of a job for a contractor’s work, going with the professional could possibly save you money in the long run. Shoddy DIY work would cost you more to repair, because you’d have already paid for the materials and work you did yourself. Getting the job done right the first time is always the better option, logistically and financially.
Should you hire a general contractor for your project? Contact Lewis and Tibbitts, Inc. for more information about how we can make things easier.