Should You Hire Home Improvement Contractors for Small Home Projects?

When we mention contractors, we often think about full home renovations, huge repairs, and major additions. Limiting the necessity of contractors by the type or size of a project would be a misconception.

In essence, a contractor carries several responsibilities such as applying for permits, finding subcontractors, ordering supplies, and supervising the job on a daily basis. This level of management can apply to smaller projects like a mudroom conversion just as much as bigger ones such as finishing a basement. 

While DIY-ing certain small-scale jobs is certainly possible — and can even have a few advantages — others are better left to the experts. To determine whether you’d need home improvement contractors for your project, it can be a good idea to start by understanding what they actually do.

What Is a Contractor's Role in a Home Improvement Project?

Home improvement contractors normally play a key role in many renovation projects. These include:

• Determining the time, materials, and documents that a job requires.
• Monitoring subcontractors and handymen to ensure the job is done in a proper and timely manner.
• Working with insurance companies to guarantee coverage for the entire project.
• Monitoring budgets and schedules to prevent unnecessary costs and delays.
• Collaborating with homeowners to come up with a plan that suits both parties.
• Assessing the situation of a project and coming up with effective and efficient solutions.

Contractors often collaborate with homeowners to determine the best course of action for a repair or remodel.

How to Decide Whether You Should Hire a Contractor for a Small Home Project

Hiring a home improvement contractor for a project that won’t take more than a weekend might seem rather unnecessary. However, your decision should not be based on just the size or the length of the home improvement job. Several factors can help you determine whether you need a contractor or not. 

Scope of the Project

A lot of small home projects are actually more complex than they may seem. In certain cases, that’s because more than one type of job — such as electrical and woodwork — is involved. The connections, experience, and leverage an expert might have with fellow home renovation or home repair contractors can come in handy for a successful project. 

Time on Your Hands

It often doesn’t matter how small your home repair or renovation is. If your daily life doesn’t allow you to go about the project, an otherwise quick makeover can end up taking weeks or even months. Having said that, small job contractors are normally able to get the job done in a timely manner. 

The Legal Aspect

It’s always a good idea to see what the law has to say. Regulations regarding home improvement jobs tend to differ from one state to the other. In some states, any project that exceeds a certain dollar figure warrants a licensed professional. Make sure to check with the local regulations to determine whether your gig requires a contractor or not. 

When Is It Better to Hire a Contractor?

Local requirements largely influence your decision to hire the services of a licensed contractor. However, the reality on the ground is as big of a factor to take into consideration. It’s always a good idea to be familiar with how much and what type of work your small project requires. That being said, there are certain cases where it’s better to err on the side of caution and bring in a professional. 

Regardless of how small they might be, certain home projects strictly warrant a professional.

A Mistake Can Be Costly

If a mistake can compromise the safety of your home, you may want to avoid the risk of going about the project yourself. Faulty electrical wiring, for instance, can lead to a fire. Consider hiring a professional for a job that can pose a hazard or be costly to fix if not done properly. Besides being licensed and insured, a home improvement contractor will offer a warranty that protects you in the event of an error. This also means you won’t have to pay for any damages to your property. 

You’re Planning on Selling Your House

Should you be planning on listing your house, you’ll want to make sure it’s in the best condition possible. A faulty home improvement job could repel potential buyers, and can even leave them wondering if the house has other underlying issues. 

The Project Needs Multiple Professionals

One handyman should be fairly easy to manage. Staying on top of permits, payments, materials, and schedules for multiple contractors, however, can be somewhat of a hassle. Keep in mind that even a small project can sometimes require the expertise of more than one home remodel or house repair contractor.

Certain Instances When You Can DIY

Finding a contractor often involves a whole lot of research. And in certain cases, you may not even need one to begin with. Many small repairs and remodels don’t necessarily warrant a professional, in which case you’d be better off handling the job yourself.

While many small home projects require a licensed contractor, others are actually DIY-able.

The Project Doesn’t Involve Much Guesswork

Doing a bit of research before getting started with a home improvement project goes a long way. If you’re planning on building a small greenhouse, for instance, a simple tutorial can come in handy. And if you know your way around basic tools, it would make sense to make it a DIY job. 

You’re Patient Enough to Tackle Minor Mistakes

Let’s suppose you didn’t accurately measure how much wood you need, and now you have to make an extra trip to the store. Or for example, a paint job didn’t dry evenly and you have to repeat the process. It’s not uncommon for a DIY project to not be perfect on the first go. If some minor bumps on the road don’t bother you, taking on a small repair or remodel shouldn’t be a problem.

The Project Is More of a Hobby

If you happen to enjoy home improvement-related activities such as painting or carpentry, a home DIY job of the same nature can be a walk in the park for you. The process itself may actually be as enjoyable as the end result. You may even be able to carry out the project as well as a home improvement or a home repair contractor. 

You Can Settle for Less Than Perfect

It’s normal for a DIY repair or renovation to not turn out as thorough as an expert’s work. A few noticeable brushstrokes or some slightly uneven tiles, for instance, are always possible. If the flaws are minor and you can somehow conceal them from plain sight — or if you don’t mind them at all — a small DIY job can be worth the try. 

You may sometimes need a contractor to help out with certain parts of a minor project.

It’s also possible for you to be handling some aspects of a home improvement job while a professional provides their expertise with other parts. In a bathtub replacement, for instance, you could carry out the bulk of the project and hire a pro to take care of the plumbing. It’s worth mentioning that knowing how to find a contractor can also come in handy in this case. 

Should you be planning on a small home project, it helps to know the difference between a DIY job and one that warrants an expert. You can make a well-informed decision by taking your skills, the time involved, and the complexity of the job into consideration.