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If you are considering a home improvement project you have three choices, find a friend who is really handy around the house, hire a remodeling professional or do it yourself. Some neighborhoods have a home improvement social network where Harvey, down the street knows his way around an electrical circuit, or Mel, next door, is a whiz at carpentry, and Joe the plumber when he's not on a talk show, is just around the corner.

Assuming your neighbors are busy with other things, or that you have already used up your chips in the social network (three times seems to be the norm without using up any goodwill that might exist between neighbors) you have to decide whether to call a contractor or do it yourself. There are some guidelines you need to keep in mind before you decide to do it yourself. Ignoring these guidelines puts you at risk for the most common result if you make the wrong decision; having the job done twice, once by yourself and once the right way by a remodeling professional. To avoid that happening here are some guidelines to help you make the right decision:

1. Do you know what you're doing? In other words are you familiar with the basics involved in the task. If you're adding a room, for instance, do you know how to frame in a wall? Don't get in over your head or correcting your mistakes might cost you.

2. Do you have the proper tools to do the job or can you rent them easily. If you rent the required tools, do you know how to use them?

3. Does the job involver state or city building codes? You may very well know how to wire a room but if the law requires a licensed electrician you risk having to pay for the job twice. You should also check to see if you need to get a building permit from the city.

4. Does the job require more than one set of hands? Trying to manipulate heavy materials by yourself, when it really requires two people, is asking for a serious injury.

5. Does the job require a high degree of skill to make it look finished. If you have the skills and knowledge to do the job but, when you're finished, it looks simply awful, what did you accomplish?

6. Get an estimate from a remodeling professional first. Most DIY attempts are made to save money. You won't know how much until you get a contractor to give you an estimate. When the contractor tells you what is required, it might convince you that the job involves a lot more than you had expected.

7. Do you really have the time to do what's necessary? There is nothing more aggravating than having a half-finished project reminding you of itself for months at a time. Your spouse will remind you if the project won't. If doing it yourself, set a schedule for the job, from beginning to completion and stick to it. Just figuring out the time involved might lead you to change your mind.

You can save a lot of money and get a lot of self-satisfaction out of a DIY remodeling project. If you have the skills, the time and the tools to do the job right, and city and state codes are not involved, go for it. Otherwise, have a good contractor do the remodeling and enjoy the results.

Learn more about this author, Ed Dugan.
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