Hey everyone! My wife and I are thinking about buying a "project house" that comes with tons of potential. It's an older house from 1965, but the frame, roof, and foundation are solid. We plan to completely strip the inside and start fresh. Since we're beginners at home renovations, we're excited to take on as much DIY as we can, but we're also aware that some things are best left to the pros. Other than the obvious choices like electricians and plumbers, what are some tasks you think we could tackle ourselves, and what should we definitely hire contractors for?
2 Answers
It's super important to thoroughly research any contractors you consider hiring. Honestly, I treat them all like potential scammers until they prove otherwise! Also, for the HVAC, if you need it, do that early on while everything's open—it makes it much easier. As for other tasks, there's tons of DIY stuff you can do. I've been working on projects myself and find YouTube tutorials really helpful for step-by-step guidance. Just take it one project at a time!
Demolition is a breeze! You can definitely handle that part yourself. However, I think you should hire a drywaller for hanging and finishing—trust me, they can do it much faster and better than beginners. Also, many tasks like swapping electrical outlets and fixtures are doable—it just takes some practice and the right tools! And don't forget to invest in good equipment; you can always resell what you don't need later.
And for sure, ductwork is something you can tackle on your own! Just make sure to watch a few tutorials to get comfortable with it!