When you’re faced with a major renovation project, it can be tempting to try to keep costs down by doing the job yourself. For some projects, this can be a good idea, but it’s all too easy to go from being frugal to becoming a Victor Meldrew caricature. Check out this infographic before you make any major decorating or renovation decisions.
Be honest when you answer these questions:
- Are you a cheapskate?
- Do you actually enjoy DIY?
- Wouldn’t you rather be watching the big game on TV?
- Do you know what you’re doing?
- If you mess up, would it cost you more to fix the mess than it would to get it done right in the first place?
Before you end up with a leaking shower, a garden shed that looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or kitchen cabinets with doors that fall off the hinges every time someone sneezes in the house, take a moment to honestly assess your interests and abilities. Calling in the experts may be the best decision.
Yes, it’s frustrating to pay a plumber or a carpenter – especially if they turn up and sort out your problem in just a few minutes – but you should remember that they did the job so quickly because of their experience and expertise. Without training, the job would take far longer. How much value do you place on your free time?
