by Russell Linton

Created on: February 04, 2009   Last Updated: February 14, 2009

Home improvement projects are the subject of many homeowners'
dreams and sometimes their worst nightmares. Deciding to add a deck to the exterior of your house, update the kitchen, or even touch up a bathroom can be a big decision. Aside from coming up with a budget, the most important decision a home owner makes in planning remodeling and home improvement projects is whether or not to hire a contractor.

Many homeowners, in the course of trying to save a few dollars, will skip the experts and give the project a shot on their own. Before you take this step make sure you have the three "T's" of any remodel: Tools, Technique, and Time.

If you aren't even sure what tools are necessary for a job, it may be a good sign that you need a remodeling professional. However, nothing says you can't do some research and come up with a list of what is required. Just be sure to include the price of these tools in your overall budget. Some highly specialized machinery can costs hundreds to thousands of dollars. Consider whether you will get much use out of these tools after you wrap up the project. If they are just going to become expensive garage sculptures, it may be best to rent the equipment or hire a contractor that already has it.

For the technique, many homeowners are increasingly turning to the internet to learn their home improvement skills. There are tons of sites out there which provide homeowners with do it yourself tips and tricks. In some cases these "how tos" are provided by well-meaning people just like you with no real experience or training. These well-meaning people may also live virtually anywhere in the real world: local building laws need not apply. Make sure you're getting professional advice if you plan to do it yourself. If you have any questions or things seem a bit more complicated than you thought, you might consider contacting a contractor to complete the job.

Lastly, before taking on a project by yourself, make sure you have the available time. Taking on a complex project with no experience will be time consuming. Make sure to account for this in any budget you create. What is your own time worth to you? You will probably spend twice as much time on a job than an experienced contractor, but if you have the time it can be a rewarding experience.

If you decide you need a contractor or remodeling professional for your home improvement project, or even if you just get stumped along the way, turning to a home improvement social network can be an excellent choice. You will be able to interface with a community of knowledgeable experts that can help you get past any obstacles you face and help make sure your project steers clear of any potential "nightmares"!

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