When it comes to DIY, there are certain projects and places in your home you should leave to the professionals. Rooms that have the potential for high ROI, such as the kitchen, should always be left to the pros. Completing work on your own may help you cut initial costs, but it will definitely look like you did it yourself (and not in a good way). Read on to learn the three reasons why you shouldn’t DIY your kitchen reno.
1. Materials
The kitchen is a space where a lot of time is spent. When it comes to choosing your materials, including countertops, flooring, cabinets, appliances, paint, etc. you should consult with a pro. In choosing your materials it’s a given that you are going to keep your budget in mind, but you may not know what is best for the space and associated activity. Where you may cut costs on certain materials, a pro will know where you can afford to spend a little less or a little more.
There are a lot of activities that go on in the kitchen that may leave lasting marks on specific materials. For example, you may choose a countertop that looks nice and is a decent price, but in reality, this countertop is prone to ring marks left by sweating glasses — obviously something you do not want in your kitchen. Consult with a pro to ensure you’re using the right materials for your kitchen and lifestyle.
2. Experience
Along with the knowledge to choose the appropriate materials, a pro has the experience and overall knowledge of renovating a kitchen that will help to keep the project on schedule, within your budget, and complete the work professionally.
A common mistake made by homeowners, as a result of lack of experience, is leaving picking the appliances to the last minute. This is a costly mistake to make. If you do not have your appliances picked prior to your renovation beginning, you are unable to account for the amount of space that is needed to accommodate the appliances. This can lead to you having to have your countertop recut, or even your cabinets remade.
Another common mistake made by homeowners during their kitchen reno is ignoring the triangle rule. The triangle rule involves spacing the fridge, sink, and stove within at least four to nine feet of each other. The workflow in your kitchen is very important. If you do not account for workflow in your kitchen, you will find it hard to complete everyday tasks like cooking and preparing meals.
3. Budget
When completing a home renovation, the budget should be the first thing discussed long before any ground is broken. When completing a DIY project, you may forgo a contract as you are the one that is completing all work and obtaining all materials. This has the potential to turn into an absolute disaster, resulting in a completed, or even sometimes uncompleted project that is way over your set budget. Hiring a pro can prevent this from happening through consultation and a written quote of all costs for the project. This way you will know ahead of time what you will be spending. If unexpected costs do come up, then a pro will be able to handle it accordingly, not spending unnecessary funds.
Completing DIY projects can be a great experience, but they can turn into a disaster. Hiring a pro for larger projects, such as a kitchen reno will prevent any costly mistakes. This will ultimately keep your project on track, within your budget, and completed properly. When you’re ready to have your kitchen renovated by a pro, simply click on the banner below to get started with a quote. Trust us, you’ll be happy you spent the money on a pro and didn’t attempt a disastrous DIY on your own.
