DIY home improvement or when to hire a pro

Do-it-yourself projects now seem easier than ever. From step-by-step guides to how-to video tutorials online, the most perplexing projects can seem as easy as 1-2-3. Taking things into your own hands now has its own beloved acronym: DIY.

不管你是在考虑买房还是 公寓修理, 新的房间装饰 或者只是在寻找一个鼓舞人心的新爱好，你可能已经准备好开始diy了. 在开始你的项目之前，仔细考虑一下最好的选择，可以帮助你避免“头脑发热”的时刻. 取决于你的优先级, one approach may be smarter than the other — from a financial, time-saving or just overall effort standpoint.

Keep in mind it's possible it may also cost you more than 与可靠的承包商合作. 在高质量工作方面有记录的专业人员在更复杂的装修项目中尤其有用.

Things to consider before a DIY home renovation or 雇佣专业人士

• 这需要多少时间? Take a look at the time you will spend on the project at hand, 包括规划, 得到许可, purchasing materials and your time doing the repairs or renovations.
• 预算是什么?? Make a budget for what the project will cost. Make sure you include not only materials, but other items like 工具 you will need to accomplish the renovation.
• 哪里会出错?? 在DIY家居装修时，要考虑到可能出现的问题，比如撞到煤气管道或刮伤地板. Confirm with your insurance company what 你的pp王者电子官网范围提供 if your work somehow causes damage to you or your landlord's property.
• 你准备好了吗?? 来决定你是否应该自己动手, look at the level of complexity involved in the renovation, including specific knowledge needed for the task.
• 会很有趣吗?? Take into account the fun you will have with your project, and if you are willing to put in the time needed to deliver the project.
• 安全吗?? Be sure to consider your safety before you start the project.

DIY项目的例子

DIY家居装修项目通常在装修方面具有最大的灵活性. 它们本质上大多是装饰性的，或者是用最少的材料进行简单的修复，不需要许可证.

• 更新厨柜门面根据… HomeAdvisor在美国，厨房装修的平均费用约为每平方英尺2.5万美元或150美元. 房主 typically spend anyw在这里 from $13,000美元到38美元多一点,000 for remodels depending on the size of the space, 布局和使用的材料.
  • Redo kitchen cabinet 门s by repainting or re-staining.
  • Add new knobs to give the most trafficked area in the home a fresh feel.
  • Add organizers and shelving units to pantries, cabinets and 在水槽下面 整理物资.
• 修理漏水的马桶: 漏水的马桶 会浪费大量的水吗. 要解决此问题:
  • 检查浮子和进气阀. As you flush, lift the float arm until the water stops.
  • 拧紧球阀顶部的螺丝，使浮子的水平面不会高于进口阀.
  • 如果在步骤1中水没有停止，则可能需要更换球阀总成.
• 给储藏室增加储物空间没有必要为了时髦的外观而与定制橱柜制造商合作.
  • 安装低成本，预制的不同形状的内置组件来创建定制的外观.
  • 使用现成的开放式架子、抽屉和衣架来放置鞋子、夹克和包.
• 更换瓷砖灌浆: Grimy tile grout can detract from a home's appearance. 更换灌浆:
  • Remove existing grout with a grout rake or electric tool.
  • Scrub the area with a stiff-bristle nylon brush to remove loose debris.
  • 使用浆液浮子涂抹新的浆液穿过表面并进入接缝.
  • After 20 minutes, clean the area with a grout sponge.
  • Once the grout has cured, apply sealer.
• 增加外观吸引力渴望 把你家的前面打扮一下? 这比你想象的要简单. Even a few simple touches will give visitors a great first impression.
  • 重新粉刷你的前门或者 车库 门.
  • 添加易于维护的景观美化，或在前楼梯附近放置盆栽植物.
  • 对于涉及新景观的大型项目，您可能需要景观专业人士的见解.
• 修补干墙快速修补墙上的洞:
  • Remove loose drywall behind and around the hole.
  • 把孔的边缘磨砂.
  • Ad在这里 a wall-hole patch over the hole.
  • Apply drywall-patching compound to the patch and surrounding wall.
  • 一旦这个地方干了，就用沙子把它擦干净.
  • 用墙面纹理喷雾剂(如果需要)喷涂该区域，并添加一层新的匹配油漆.
• 涂新漆: A DIY paint job can be a great way to save money. 无论你是想重新粉刷卧室，还是只是想掩盖走廊上的磨损痕迹:
  • Prepare the surfaces before starting the painting process.
  • 店内油漆专业人员可以帮助您为每种类型的房间选择理想的饰面.
• 取代瓷砖:在小空间里更换瓷砖是一个有趣的项目，可以立即带来惊喜. 更换瓷砖时, be sure to purchase items such as tile cutters, adhesive and a utility knife to get a pro look.

Examples of projects w在这里 a contractor should be hired

Before you start any project or home renovation, create a to-do list. 有了这个列表, take a comprehensive look at the entire project, 从头到尾, taking into account factors such as material cost, 资源, 时间、劳动力成本和时间框架. 同时也要考虑是否值得花钱请人对整个项目进行战略性思考. 但在你租出去之前, 确保你能发现一个家庭维修骗局，这样你的项目就能如期完成.

• 卫生间改造承包商说，浴室装修特别棘手，因为它面积小，而且涉及许多昂贵的部件. 即使在一个小空间里，安装新的管道和拆卸老化的固定装置也需要几天的时间. 为了快速改造, 考虑更换照明或增加额外的存储空间来创建一个整洁有序的房间, 明亮的空间.
• 专业项目:如果有任何重大的结构, 气体, plumbing or electrical work needed for your home repair or renovation, 你应该考虑专业人士，因为这类工作通常需要许可证，可能还需要检查员来验证工作是否正确安全地完成. 例如:
  • 电气维修 – If your outlets, switches or electric system are showing signs of 需要重新布线, an electrician can assist with the project.
  • 去铅涂料 - 1978年以前建造的房屋, 专业人士可以帮助您确定家中需要的区域 去除含铅油漆 和重新粉刷.
  • 管道维修 -由于煤气的危险, 电力或水的问题, a licensed plumber should handle any water heater repairs.
  • 主要结构维修 – When changing the structure of a home, 总承包商可以确保电气或管道在装修过程中不被损坏.
  • 屋面维修 or 更换 -专业的屋面工可以帮助您选择适合的屋面材料 经得起恶劣的天气条件.

如果你是 准备卖掉你的房子，你可能会想办法 improve the home's worth with these appraisal tips.

现在该怎么办?

你的决定是处理一个新项目还是把它留给专业人士，这就是你的决定! 它可能因项目类型而异, 或者你的时间和钱包所决定的, 但是全面考虑全局可以帮助你做出最适合自己的决定. 开始吧, 列出你想要处理的所有项目，并制定执行计划——包括时间表和预算. And, if you do decide to DIY, take a look at these 家居保养小贴士 for some friendly advice for home improvement.