| Don't Get In Too Deep Do Some Evaluation |
| When it comes to home improvements, many of us have champagne tastes on a beer budget�we noodle-out the perfect plan for a project, then the contractors' bids come in at twice what we can afford. So we become do-it-yourselfers. We know that by eliminating the labor expense, we can often chop a project's cost in half. But should you do the work yourself? The answer depends upon a number of factors, including your abilities, your collection of tools and safety gear, your time, and your inclination to roll up your sleeves. Unless you are a highly skilled do-it-yourselfer, avoid taking on jobs that may be dangerous or particularly difficult, or if a mistake can be quite costly. Some jobs simply are not worth the risk. For example, think twice before doing: Don't Get In Too Deep! � Extensive electrical work. � Plumbing that involves crawling under the house. � Roofing work on a steeply-pitched or high roof. � Difficult or laborious work, such as chopping out and pouring a new concrete floor. � Siding work that requires scaffolding higher than two stories. � Work that may involve hidden mysteries. � Any other task that you're not confident you can handle. A closer look at your alternatives. There is definitely something to be said for hiring a pro to handle a project from start to finish�particularly if you find a professional who gives you a quality job at a good price. Unfortunately, that isn't always easy. The best way to find good people is through personal recommendations. Talk to friends or neighbors who have had similar work done and were happy with the results and the service. If you can't get recommendations, talk to local building supply dealers or turn to the Yellow Pages�your most likely source of names if you're dealing with a home-repair emergency. So that you're not left to this in a pinch, it pays to have the names and numbers of good repair service providers on hand. It's also smart to check with the local chapter of the Better Business Bureau to make sure there isn't a history of consumer complaints against the professional you plan to hire. |
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