Are you about to start a kitchen renovation? In order to save money during construction, homeowners often think of ways that they can DIY the project. However, while there are some aspects of the project that you may be able to tackle yourself, others are better left to the pros.
We have created a list of the most common DIY projects for you to consider, and what should be left to the experts:
Demolition
Many people like to save money by doing the kitchen demolition themselves. If you opt to do this, you will need to think about how you are going to get rid of the construction materials. Will you rent a trailer and haul everything to the dump? Or do you need a dumpster delivered to your house? Is there anything that can be recycled, sold or donated?
Before you begin the demolition, you should have your home tested for asbestos. Asbestos was used in many building materials as late as 1990. If your home is older than that, you should have your home tested so as not to put your family at risk.
Plumbing and Electrical
These are typical projects that handy homeowners like to do themselves. If it is just a matter of disconnecting and reconnecting your sink or adding a few wall plugs, this may be an easy DIY project. For more complex jobs such as moving the sink to a new location or rewiring your entire kitchen, we recommend hiring a professional to avoid lengthy and expensive mistakes. If you do decide to do the work yourself, be sure to get a homeowner’s electrical or plumbing permit, if required.
Wall Construction
If your renovation involves putting up or taking down walls, you may also be able to do this yourself if you have the right tools. Before taking down any walls, be sure to have an engineer come and check to see if they are load-bearing. Always remember to also check with the city to see if you need a permit for the work you are doing.
Drywall
Taking on drywalling and taping/mudding seems like a simple task. However, it takes some skill to do it properly, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, it may show in the finished result. Mudding and sanding is also very messy work that you may prefer to have someone else do.
Painting
This is another great project that you can tackle yourself to save a little bit of money. Just remember that, like drywalling, a lack of painting skills will be very noticeable in the end result.
Cabinetry
This is something that you will probably not want to tackle on your own. The cabinets are one of the most significant investments you will make in your kitchen, and they must be installed properly. They will need to be installed plumb and level, and the fitting of the fillers and crown moulding requires a great deal of skill. We recommend leaving this to the experts.
Countertops
Countertops are also not a good DIY project unless you are purchasing pre-made laminate counters. Your countertop supplier will template the counters after the cabinets are installed and cut them to fit the cabinets and the walls precisely.
Flooring & Tile
Finally, flooring and tile are something you may be able to do on your own. Like drywalling, painting and cabinetry, these are items that are in view for everyone to see, so you may prefer they be done by someone who is highly experienced so that you are happy with the end result. It will save you money, time and stress in the long run.
Although doing some or all of the work yourself will save you money, it can also cause a lot of headaches, especially if you do not have any experience with renovations. DIY renovations will take up a lot of your time, and usually last much longer than professionally-managed ones.
Before you start your kitchen renovation, pick up a sledgehammer or hire any construction crew, read our Kitchen Renovation Checklist to make sure you are prepared for all aspects of the project.