If you are like many Sarasota homeowners, you have a long list of home projects and renovations which you would love to undertake. And while some are easily handled by “weekend warriors”, many home renovation projects are much more complex.
If you are considering a kitchen or bathroom renovation, for instance, you may not realize the level of expertise which is required. From new flooring, to upgraded plumbing, tile and electrical, there are a lot of components to a renovation of this type.
Should You Hire a General Contractor?
You have many options when deciding who will do the work on your renovation.
- You may opt to do the work yourself, if you have the time and talent to do so.
- You may hire a handyman type who claims he can do the work.
- You may hire several specialists who together can finish the job professionally.
- You can hire a general contractor to manage the project.
Doing the Work Yourself: If you are someone who is skilled in construction, you may be able to complete the project on your own. However, this will entail finding the time to manage many aspects and fit the project into your already busy life. You will need to measure, research and shop for all the components, remove all the existing elements, perform any necessary electrical and plumbing tasks safely and install the new elements. Depending on where you live, you may need to apply for a permit and have the correct authorizations.
Hiring a Handyman: Although possible to find one, it is rare to locate a handyman type who has the skill, capability and insurance policy in place to handle a major renovation. Some friends may be especially skilled in these areas, but be careful to ensure that they can safely handle the major elements involved.
Hiring Individual Contractors: While better than attempting on your own, hiring individual contractors can still be a major project. Each of them will only be able to handle their own scope of work, so you will have to contact, interview, schedule and manage electricians, tile professionals, plumbers, designers, flooring professionals. The biggest challenge to this method is keeping everyone on schedule. For instance, the tile and flooring professionals cannot start their work until the electrician finishes his – so if the electrical work falls behind, you have to reschedule all of the other projects. Not only is this time consuming, but it can get pricy, as each piece of the project is added to the budget total.
Hiring a General Contractor: A general contractor is basically the manager of the entire project. They will assess the job, determine scope, shop for materials, work within their stated budget and have responsibility over all subcontractors he brings in for the job. Because the general contractor is licensed to oversee each phase of the project, as a homeowner you only need to choose – and communicate with – one professional. Your general contractor handles everything else from start to finish.
Is a General Contractor Too Expensive?
According to a recent study by Houzz.com, approximately 45% of people hire a general contractor for major renovation projects. Those who did not often cited that they felt that it would be too expensive. The reality is that a GC can actually help you to stay on time and on budget, by utilizing wholesale pricing for materials and giving you a single price for the entire project. If you are considering any major home renovation, call the experts at Lindahl Construction to come out for a consultation. Not only will you be guaranteed that your Longboat Key or Sarasota home renovation will be professionally executed but you will be pleasantly surprised at how much time and money you can save.