With the holidays approaching, you may have it in mind to dress up your home for the holidays beyond the annual ritual of stringing lights and hanging garlands. Perhaps you’ve been inspired by an exciting home improvement show and want to tackle a renovation project yourself. However, measuring one’s enthusiasm against one’s skills set can be a difficult task. While it’s important to believe in oneself and one’s abilities, it’s equally important not to “bite off more than you can chew”. If considering a do-it-yourself (DIY) project in an effort to save money, keep in mind that many a well-intentioned weekend warrior has ended up having to pay a professional to fix their mistakes AND complete the project for them.
At Highlight Home Restoration, we understand the urge to get your hands dirty and the pride that comes when you can stand back and say, “I built that!” We also understand that a homeowner can achieve that same sense of pride by working closely with their contractor to build something entirely unique to fit their family’s distinctive needs and personalities. As designer-builders, we are happy to work with you every step along the way from initial meeting to project completion. You can be as involved as you like in the design phase, and can consult with our interior design professionals to put the finishing touches on your project. You may even be able to talk us into letting you swing a sledgehammer and hammer in a nail or two – so you can still look upon your project with pride and the feeling of “I built that!”
Highlight Homes/Highlight Home Restoration can help you with just about any size and scope of home renovation project including: Whole Home Renovations; Room Additions; Architectural and Design Services; Kitchen & Bath Remodeling; Landscaping & Ponds; Decks, Patios & Porches; Sunrooms; Basement Finishing; Roofing; Home Maintenance and Repair; and Much, Much More!
If you’re still gung-ho about going it alone, keep the following things in mind:
- A good contractor will know all the permits required to begin construction on your project. Do you?
- It might be a good idea to bring in a designer or architect to lay the groundwork for you, tell you about the permits you will need, warn against any possible wiring/pipes you may encounter, and give you a good idea as to the cost of materials.
- A professional will be able to get materials at a contractor’s rate, where you – most likely – will not. In addition, they will often be able to complete the project much faster – so if you’re hoping to save time and money, you may be unpleasantly surprised.
- A professional fully understands the importance of using quality materials. Quality materials are essential to the continued success and longevity of any given project. One common mistake made by DIY’s is in thinking that by buying the cheapest products, it will help reduce project costs. In the long run, they can actually end up costing more. Unfortunately, cheaper often means inferior. There is truth in the statement “you get what you paid for”.
- It is vital to know how products effect the environment, your property and – most importantly – your family’s health. A professional contractor will remain up-to-date and understand how to meet the terms of ever-changing environmental compliance issues currently facing the construction industry.
- Buyer Beware! If you decide to take the lead on your project with the aid of a number of inexpensive subcontractors following behind, be very careful. Professional builders and contractors have already gone through the trials and tribulations of how to identify reliable sub contractors. Many professionals have taken the time and expense of putting their subcontractors through rigorous background checks, allowing them to cull through any unscrupulous & unreliable candidates before the job even begins.
- A good contractor will be fully licensed, registered and insured – in the event that they are injured or a portion of your home is damaged somehow, it’s covered. You might want to take a closer look at your home and personal insurance policies to make sure you can say the same. Before you have anyone work on your property, it’s wise to insist that they provide you with General Liability & Workman’s comp insurance certificates – adding you as additionally insured. It’s also a good idea to require that when you make a payment to them that they sign a release of lien rights for that amount of money relating to your home.
- Consult a professional or structural engineer if you plan to remove any walls, posts, roof framing, concrete or any other supports in your home. It may appear from the outside that any one particular piece isn’t doing much until it is too late, and things can go from a great idea to a great tragedy in an instant.
- It’s always a good idea to check with a professional on your heating & air systems. The original system was chosen to accommodate your existing space. If you alter the space or add any additional space, the system may need to be reconfigured to adjust to your changes.
- Electricity and plumbing can make for a dangerous combination – exercise extreme caution while maintaining your enthusiasm for the work.
- We wish you the best of luck! In the event that you find the project is bigger than you anticipated, the Highlight Home Restoration team is here to help you! Call us at 678-873-9234 or visit us online at www.highlighthomesga.com!
