The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1415012
E-2 Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, September 29, 2021 The Press-Dispatch Rates as low as Energizing Your Financial Future 812-354-1134 or 317-261-8521 6925 IN-57, Petersburg | energypluscu.org Home Equity Line of Credit Energizing Your Financial Future Convenient access to cash 24/7 at our new ATM at Subway in Petersburg! Make your next home project SUPER Experienced Loan Officers Standing By! Easy to Use VISA Credit Card *APR= Annual Percentage Rate. Variable rate product with rate based on Prime minus 0.50%. Subject to Credit Approval 2.75APR * % Should I DI Y ? Questions to determine if it's best to renovate on your own A do-it-yourself mentality has taken hold in millions of households across the globe. Popular television channels like HGTV and DIY Network as well as accessible home improvement content on apps like YouTube has inspired many homeown- ers to tackle renovation projects around their homes. Taking such initiative is ad- mirable, though it also can prove costly if homeowners end up biting off more than they can chew. Home improvement videos and televi- sion shows have a tendency to oversimpli- fy renovation projects, potentially giving homeowners a false sense of confidence in their DIY abilities. A concerted effort on the part of homeowners to determine if it's best to renovate on their own or hire a pro- fessional should always be the first step of any renovation project. No two homeown- ers are the same, but the following three questions can help homeowners deter- mine if DIY is their best option. Can I afford to DIY? Professional home improvement proj- ects are costly for a variety of reasons. Ma- terials can be costly, but so are the tools and labor necessary to do the job right. Homeowners may not have the tools nec- essary to complete complicated projects. Specialty tools can be expensive to pur- chase or even rent, and the cost of ac- quiring such tools should be included in any DIY project cost estimates. Labor al- so factors heavily into professional proj- ects, and for good reason. Talented con- tractors have unique skills that have been developed and perfected over many years. Those skills can ensure projects are com- pleted quickly and correctly. Labor may seem costly, but such costs may ultimately prove to be a bargain compared to the cost of fixing DIY mistakes. Projects that are minor in scope and don't require the use of potentially costly specialty tools may be better suited for weekend warriors than more complicated renovations. Do I have the time? Homeowners must determine how much time they have to complete a proj- ect before deciding to do it themselves. No one wants to spend months staring at an unfinished renovation project. Homeown- ers who are already pressed for time may not be able to complete projects in a timely fashion, which can make homes less com- fortable and even less safe. Can I pull this off? DIY projects can instill homeowners with a sense of pride in their homes, but it's imperative that homeowners consid- ering the DIY option conduct an honest assessment of their skills. A lack of ren- ovation experience does not necessarily mean a homeowner cannot successfully complete a DIY project. But in such in- stances, it may be best to start with small, straightforward projects and then gradu- ally move up to bigger, more complicat- ed projects as skills are fine tuned. And homeowners who have never been at their best with a hammer in hand should not be ashamed to leave the work to the pro- fessionals. Television shows and online tutori- als can make renovations appear easier than they actually are. Homeowners con- sidering DIY renovations can ask them- selves a handful of questions to determine if they're ready for the challenge of reno- vating their homes on their own.