How To Know When You Need A Contractor

Some of us have ambitions of doing up the house ourselves. We come in, toolbox prepared and ready to go. But if you’re new to the world of home renovation, there’s definitely going to be times when you need to hire a contractor. If you’re not sure when to hire a contractor over doing it yourself, this article will shed some light on when it’s time to get some help.

Fixing A Plumbing Issue

Do you have a leaky tap or are you trying to unblock a clogged drain? For minor issues like changing a tap washer or unclogging a toilet, you might feel confident in doing it yourself. But if you can’t confidently locate and turn off the water in your home, it’s always safer to hire a professional plumber to do the job for you. For major issues like water leaks, no hot water or low water pressure, a professional plumber should always be called out for some assistance.

When There’s An Electrical Issue

Are you replacing a light bulb or changing a fuse? You can probably do this yourself. For minor things like changing a socket or replacing a simple light fitting, most homeowners can do this with a bit of research. However, major works like adding new wiring or running a new circuit require a qualified electrician. If electrics are wired incorrectly and can sometimes even cause fires in the home, so definitely when in doubt hire out for your electric works. Ultimately anything wired incorrectly will require a professional to come and fix it later down the line.

Major Building Works 

If you’re undertaking a major home renovation or commercial business works, replacing walls, windows or roofing, hiring a professional builder is a must. As a business owner you have legal obligation to your employees, and even for home renovation you want to keep you and your family safe with good construction. For final touches like painting, unless you’re terrible at it you can always do this yourself.

If You Are Time Poor

If you can afford to hire a contractor and have no time for home renovation, hiring someone to help with any elements of home renovation can be an asset. If you’re someone with no time on your hands, then hiring a contractor for any steps like painting or even furniture assembly will save you hours. Sites like TaskRabbit are great if you’re looking for help with minor items like assembling Ikea furniture or hanging the pictures in your living room.

Sometimes Doing Home Renovation Yourself Costs More

If you don’t have the immediate cash up front, it might seem like a real time saver to have Uncle Darren come and fix your bathroom leak. But doing it yourself can ultimately lead to further costs later down the line if the patchy repairs cause even more damage. If you’re unsure about doing something yourself, it probably means you need some outside help. Dangerous wiring or botched plumbing repairs will definitely pose more of a risk then getting a qualified individual to come and assist.