Is it time to DIY or hire a professional?

Is that kitchen project fit to DIY or do you need to hire a professional? ReNewIt professionals can help.

When you’ve finally had it with your old, outdated kitchen or bathroom cabinets, it can be tempting to watch a few YouTube videos and head to the home improvement store in an effort to DIY your way to your dream update. But before you commit your time and money to the renovation, take a beat to consider your options and your skill level.

“Everyone knows their strengths and weaknesses,” says Andy Costigan, ReNewIt by Kurtis reface project manager. “If you’re not sure, then I would err on the side of caution. If you’re watching a lot of HGTV and you’re on Pinterest and other social media platforms saying ‘Oh look at that! I can do that,’ you might find out very quickly you can’t.”

Andy notes that popular home renovation shows don’t necessarily show all the things that go wrong, for example, when something is cut incorrectly a few times in a row.

“There are things that, if people don’t do this day in and day out, will be difficult to anticipate,” he says. “There are intimate details you learn over time like any craft or profession.”

Andy says he has worked jobs where ReNewIt was hired to take over after the homeowner repainted their cabinets and was unhappy with the results, or even quit mid-project. He says people often see something on TV or online and think the process looks simple enough for them to recreate, but then the look and feel just doesn’t match their idea.

While Andy encourages homeowners to avoid getting carried away with DIY expectations, he acknowledges there is a difference between swapping out cabinet hardware like knobs and changing the entire design of a cabinet door front.

“It just takes creating a pros and cons list,” he says. “If it’s a project where you’re making enormous changes, that’s something where you’ve got to consider how effective your abilities are.”

Be honest with yourself as you consider what your time and effort is worth to you and how willing you are to deal with frustrations that can come from a DIY. You might ask:

·       Will you need to purchase tools?

·       Are you confident in the type and quantity of materials you’ll need and how to use them?

·       Will you be OK with imperfections that might be part of the final product?

·       Does your budget allow for potential redo’s?

“There’s a reason people do this professionally. When all wheels are in motion at the same speed and you’ve got a team of people who are reliable at executing, then the end result is really good,” Andy says.

At ReNewIt, our trained and experienced sales representatives walk through your vision with you and help you choose the best materials and colors to make your vision reality. Then we take measurements and create a plan for the installation. We make sure the correct amount of materials are ordered from the start and guarantee quality workmanship with painting, refacing, redooring and installing.

“When you hire professionals, it’s a good thing to consider that it’s not just an investment, but it’s a place where you live,” Andy says. “With the pace with which we are able to accomplish that change, you’re paying for not only the job done right but efficiently.”