Should I hire a contractor or do it myself? It depends …
You watch HGTV — you know how to repair drywall and you think you know much more than you probably do. Eventually we learn (albeit with much frustration) that even the best Do-It-Yourself’ers can’t do everything. Sometimes your needed repairs simply exceed your capabilities because you don’t have the right tools or technical know-how for every situation.
The best case scenario is you have a few trusted handymen or contractors that can handle your requirement. These are people you can call in a pinch and you know they’ll solve your problem at a fair price. If you don’t have someone fitting this description, use your networks to find them and refine your list over time. I have a handyman who can take care of most general maintenance, a plumber who takes care of my simple plumbing-related work.
Sometimes the work requires a company rather than a handyman. This is usually more expensive, but you need to develop an understanding of when this is just the right solution to save you headaches in the long term. Specialty companies, such as roofers and HVAC contractors, are often larger, insured corporations with years of experience and technical understanding that neither you nor your handyman will ever acquire. Even in this domain, find a company who has a reputation for quality work because saving hundreds of dollars could cost you thousands later
There are few absolutes when it comes to making these decisions. Keep your eyes wide open and find those who made similar decisions and learn from them. Your friends and neighbors probably had a similar predicament during their time as homeowners, so be humble and learn from those who already learned from their successes and mistakes.
