You might think that deciding to oversee your entire home improvement project can save you money, but in reality, it will definitely cost you both your time and nerves. In the end, it might turn out more expensive than hiring a general contractor.
Before you make the final decision of keeping an eye on everything and making all the needed calls, decide if you are actually capable of overseeing such a project. Here are 4 examples where it’s better to hire a general contractor.
1. If the project requires more than one pro to complete
You might not be aware of the fact that “simple renovations” such as kitchen remodeling, need plenty of people to attain perfection. And, if you don’t know a great plumber, a cabinet contractor, an electrician, a flooring professional, and a bunch of other professionals, it can easily turn into a disaster.
This is why you need a General Contractor, because they can find the professionals and coordinate them in a way that no one gets in each other’s way. Also, they know where to buy the needed materials for the best price.
2. Projects that take time
If you plan on starting a serious home improvement project that takes more than two or three weeks to complete and you only have the weekends off from work, your project can easily become a half a year project that will take all your free time, and wear you out completely.
If you want the job to be done perfectly and in the shortest possible deadline, let a professional deal with everything. There are so many things that will demand overseeing, corrections, making calls, and so on. It’s better to have someone else worry about the problems because you can’t work, take care of the renovation at home, and also have weekend time to yourself.
3. Dangerous Projects
Projects that include the possibility of seriously injuring your family and damaging your home should be overseen by professionals who know what they are doing and know who they are doing it with.
Such home improvement projects include working with natural gas pipes or main electrical lines, as well as plumbing because having someone who doesn’t know what he is doing meddle with the plumbing, you’re risking getting your home flooded. For this, you need people who are the best in these fields, and if you don’t know any, it’s better to hire someone who does.
4. Projects that need licenses, permits, and inspections
You will definitely need permits and licenses and the information for that needs to be as specific as possible. You will also need license numbers, and someone to know where to get them.
If you hire a General Contractor, all this will be his work, and he already knows how and where to get everything done and everyone coordinated.