Home Improvement - Pick Up The Phone or Pick up a Hammer? Skills Reality Check

The Do-it-yourself industry continues to expand as our economy and over-all spending decreases. It makes sense when we need to tighten our belts, to consider doing things ourselves rather than outsourcing them. On the other hand, the DIY industry is here to stay; there are plenty who simply enjoy the hands on experience, gaining new skills, and the knowledge that they have done the work themselves. Either way, to ensure that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent, here are some things to consider to determine if this is in fact a "do-it-yourself" project. Experience is not the determining factor here. SKILLS: Reality Check Do you have the skill set required for the project? Research; determine the scope of the job. Does the project require technical, mechanical or creative abilities? We all have skills, some are just better suited to certain tasks than others. The value here is to be brutally honest with your-self, the consequences can be disastrous. Potential savings, which is generally the intention when you opt to do-it-yourself, can escalate out of control before you know it. Local ad for a Plumber: "We repair what your husband fixed." There are the projects from hell, the guy who decides to put a coat of paint on the living room to spruce it up, and ends up needing to have the ceilings repaired, the windows replaced and new carpeting installed. On the other hand, we are envious of our neighbor, who might be a banker by day, but give her the weekends, and she's created an outdoor living space that rivals anything House Beautiful has to share. SUITABILITY: Realty Check The next question is, are you suited for the job at hand? Experience is not the determining factor here. My husband, even though he has been in the building industry his whole life, just has the mind set and the capabilities to figure out how most any project can be done efficiently, effectively and, I am partial here, but beautifully. It doesn't matter if he's ever actually disassembled a barn and transformed the wood to create flooring...he has the skill and the mind set to figure it out. If you aren't sure, try your skills out on a small project, test the waters. You might be surprised to find that you love working with wood or are a really good painter. You might even decide you need to change your line of work let alone proceed with a bigger project utilizing your new found skills! I am a perfect example. I have great ideas about home improvement projects from design to implementation. I have been professionally involved with the building industry including years of hands on experience, and there are certain projects that I still love to get my hands dirty with, but I am real clear that my real skills are researching and writing and sharing information. Whether you need to pick up the phone and put down the hammer or vice versa, you have what it takes here to make an informed decision ensuring that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent. (c) copyright - Kimberlee Carter.