Should I Get A Professional Builder?

As the price of homes soar and wage increases stagnate, many homeowners are turning back to the penny pinching practice of DIY home builder renovations. DIY renovation has been extensively glorified in hit reality TV shows like Fixer Upper, Extreme Makeover, Flip or Flop,  and the seemingly unending series, The Block. While DIY home renovation has its place, there are more aspects to take into consideration than simply money (and the excitement of racing against Scott Cam’s Challenges).

Insurance

One of the major factors that many people don’t consider is Insurance. Your licensed professional builder will have extensive insurance covering them, their staff, and their work should anything unforeseen happen. Building and renovating is a strenuous process that can push your body to the limits. Especially, if you are not accustomed to the enormous physical demands. If your builder sustains a physical injury they have insurance to cover any costs that stem from this. DIY renovators don’t have this luxury.

If you strain yourself, slip a disc, or break something you have nothing to cover your losses. If you are employed elsewhere you may have to eat into your annual and sick leave, or even take unpaid time off depending on your employer and the nature of your injury. Could you afford to be without an income while renovating a home?

Even if you aren’t injured, you will still be very tired and very sore. It is important to consider your quality of life while you renovate – if you’re unhappy doing it, is it really worth saving money?

Warranty

Similar to Insurance, DIY work has no Warranty. Many professional builders will discuss their building warranty with you. This warranty is a homeowners safety net. A warranty is your builders promise to you that the work is going to last well beyond the completion of the project. Why wouldn’t you want this type of quality assurance?

Council Approval

Council Approval can be a monster that haunts homeowners throughout home renovations. Professional builders, like ACM Construction, are experienced at artfully balancing client requirements and council stipulations. Trying to make your way through the maze of council rules and regulations can be more than a headache for DIYers. In some instances, applications have been known to be rejected purely because there is no licensed builder involved in the project.

Builder Experience

The standard reason for consideration is Builder Experience. There are so many components of builder experience that need to be considered.

Experience means:

• Accurate Quality
• Trade connections with plumbers, electricians, painters, etc.
• Safety
• Most importantly, experience means reliability.

When you contract a professional and licensed builder you are accessing all of this experience; you will never be the ‘guinea pig’. When you do your first DIY renovation that is precisely what your home becomes – one big experiment.

Education

Tying in closely with experience is Education. While you may have spent your fair share of time googling, or youtubing, or reading about the best way to do things, ACM Construction’s licensed builders have been doing the same and then some. Attending trade shows and building seminars, learning from other industry professionals, and accessing various building and design platforms means that ACM Construction professionals are always up to date with the latest techniques and products.

Materials

You may save money on labour but not on Materials. Professional builders often have a network of tradesmen and suppliers that they have worked with over many years. This communication helps your professional builder source the best deals and discounts the market has to offer. Shopping around can help you find cheaper materials but you still may not be able to source as good a deal as your local ACM Construction builder can. Meaning, you may well end up paying the same for a DIY project as you would paying a professional!

Time

Finally, don’t underestimate your Time. Time spent working on the project as well as how long your project may drag on. DIY renovations can drag on for years as homeowners do one room at a time; completing their dream home just in time to sell it and move to the next project. Professional builders quote cost and time, and at ACM Construction we pride ourselves on sticking to budget and timeframe.

If you’re ready to renovate but are caught between the prospect of doing it yourself or hiring a professional builder there is a simple solution to help you decide- Talk to your builder about what’s right!
At ACM Construction we can help you understand where the critical elements of your project are, where you need a builder, and where you can do it yourself. At ACM Construction we are locals helping locals and our goal is to help you succeed.
Take advantage of our obligation-free consultation and take the first step towards your dream home today!