Many people use the terms “renovating” and “remodeling” interchangeably, but the two have different meanings, and only one of them means that you can pretty much do it yourself, while the other usually means you have to hire a professional contractor. A home renovation, or renovation to any other type of building, means that you are making cosmetic changes to a room.
Painting the walls in your home can be considered a home improvement renovation because you’re changing or updating the color, and the room still serves the same purpose. The same can be said for some outdoor improvements, for instance taking on your flagpole repair and replacing the hardware so that you can fly your flag again. The garden and flag will still serve the same purpose. However, a home/building remodel means that you are changing the structure of a room or several rooms, which can also (but not always) change the function of the room. An example of a home remodeling project is converting a basement or attic into an additional bedroom or living space.
Renovations that Require Professionals
There are exceptions to every rule, so there are some home renovations that are best left to a professional one example is a roof replacement. Roofs can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years, depending on the type of roofing material used, but eventually, roofs will need to be replaced.
While a roof replacement can be a D.I.Y. project, it’s better to call a professional roofer like a Minneapolis roofing contractor. Updating your roof doesn’t change the functionality of your roof (so it’s considered a renovation), but because it’s a highly skilled job and you’d be working from a height, it’s safer to go with a professional. Just make sure they’re true professionals. Do they have a license and insurance to show you? Do they have a website? Do they have the work equipment and tools to get the job done?
For professionally fitting closet doors and room dividers, you should consider a specialised company like the sliding door company.
Another example of a renovation that may require a professional is changing out the lighting in your home. Switching out lightbulbs is a fairly easy and safe task, but upgrading your lighting system is a little more complicated. Although a new light fixture doesn’t alter the purpose of your lights, there is some electrical wiring involved and that can be dangerous. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, hire an electrician to help you to avoid causing any accidental fires.
Remodels that Don’t Require Professionals
Because remodeling means that you’re changing the purpose of a room, there are some remodels that don’t require the help of a professional. A good example is transforming a bedroom into a home office. Instead of a bed, dresser, TV, etc., you’ll put in a desk, desk chair, computer/laptop, filing cabinets, and maybe even decor such as bookshelves.
These additions can certainly be D.I.Y., and you can even build your desk or bookshelf yourself. Another example would be a home gym, but if you want to add a water fountain or water cooler to your gym, you’ll need the expertise of a plumber.
Home Improvement – Projects that can be D.I.Y
- Here’s a brief list of home renovations that you can do yourself:
- Replace kitchen countertops and hardware or add accessories like Custom olive wood cutting boards for cooking
- Replace bathroom countertops and hardware
- Lay tile and hardwood/laminate flooring
- Build a deck onto your home (if you feel like you have the skills, and you may need
to rent a truck and tools to help get the job done) - Plant flowers to increase curb appeal
- Adding a pergola to your backyard
- Replace your old wallpapers for new and trendy wallpapers
Home Improvement – Call a Professional for These
A total kitchen remodel, including adding an island to your kitchen especially if the island will contain a sink/dishwasher and/or oven
● A total bathroom remodel
● Adding a pool/hot tub to your backyard
● Installing a new garage door
● Painting the outside of a two-story home
● Window replacements
The bottom line is that if you don’t have the expertise (i.e., electrical knowledge, plumbing knowledge, working from a height, etc.) then you should leave it up to the professionals. However, you should keep in mind that if you do have the expertise for home improvement, you may also have to obtain building permits before you can perform certain home projects, such as adding a new addition to your home. When in doubt, consult a professional!
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