University of Wisconsin - Extension

Madison - This is the time of year when many homeowners are looking at their home and determining what repairs and improvements need to be done. One of the decisions they need to make is whether to do the work themselves or to hire it done, says John Merrill, University of Wisconsin-Madison/Extension housing specialist.

There are many factors that can make doing it yourself attractive. It is certainly convenient. You can do it when you want to, and when it is needed, rather than waiting for a contractor to schedule your job. For small jobs it may even be difficult and time consuming to find a contractor willing to do the job.

By doing your own repairs you can develop a sense of how things in your home work and may be able to catch future problems early, Merrill says. You develop confidence that allows you to take on more complicated jobs. You are also in a more knowledgeable position to deal with a contractor when one is needed. Finally, there is a real sense of satisfaction gained from making something work again.

However, probably the most common reason homeowners do their own repairs is to save money. At first glance it seems obvious, with contractors charging 30 dollars or more per hour, you should be able to save money by doing it yourself. When you look a little closer it is less obvious.

"To begin with," Merrill says, "your time isn't really free. Time you are spending on repairs is time you are not spending with your family and friends or on hobbies and other recreational activities. If the time you are spending on repairs is time you would otherwise be spending with family, they may be upset with your choice."

It is likely to take you much longer than the contractor, who comes in with all the tools and knowledge, to do the job efficiently and safely. You have to spend time and money buying supplies. You may have to purchase supplies in quantities far greater than you need for the job. You will have to buy a roll or a full sheet of material. You also may have to buy or rent tools.

"I have found that doing jobs without the proper tools can be frustrating and time consuming and sometimes totally impossible," says Merrill. "If it is a tool you only need for this job, the cost of the tool needs to be factored into the job cost."

Once you start the job you are likely to find that you need additional supplies, you didn't get the right supplies or you may damage a piece while you are trying to install it and have to get another piece. This means more time and money. If this is the first time you have done the task, there is the inevitable learning-as-you-go, which can really slow things down.

Finally, if you are trying to fit the job in around other commitments, you may have to do it in bits and pieces which means allowing time for setting up and cleaning up each time you work on it. When you add all these incidental costs of materials and time, the money saved by doing the job yourself may be much less impressive.

Another concern is whether you have the skill to do the job right. Will the faucet or drain leak when you are finished? Will the wiring be safe from fire and shock hazard? Will the workmanship be such that a potential buyer will recognize the out-of-square window or the rough plaster and be wary of buying the house? Will you have to redo the work sooner because the repair didn't hold up?

"If you are just beginning to take on your own home repair projects," Merrill says, "I suggest starting with small projects where the consequences of mistakes are relatively small. Before you start, get advice either from one of the many Internet sites on the topic or in your local library. The staff in home centers and hardware stores will also give you advice and help you read through directions or guidebooks to be sure you understand what you need to do." The building supply industry is producing new repair systems that require fewer specialized tools, less knowledge and come with detailed instructions.

Before you actually begin, 'dry run' the project so you anticipate what you need and problems you may encounter. Do you really understand the instructions? Do you have all the parts and tools? If it is a plumbing project, have you turned off the water supply and do you have a bucket and rags handy? If it is an electrical project, have you turned off the power, and how are you going to check that the power is really out at the point you will be working? Once the power is out will you have enough light and will you have power for tools? Do you have a dish or other container for the parts you remove? Will you know which part came out first in case it is one you need to reinstall?

"In spite of these cautions," says Merrill, "I want to reiterate that there are many good reasons to do at least some of your own home repairs. With a little extra planning and thought the pitfalls can be easily avoided."

For a full year of home care and money management tips, ask your county UW-Extension office for HomeWorks News (B3731). This set of four seasonal newsletters is also available for a modest price from UW Cooperative Extension Publications, (877) 947-7827, Fax (414) 389-9130, or online at http://www1.uwex.edu/ces/pubs . For spring home care tips in Spanish, see El Hogar on John Merrill's housing Web site (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader):

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/house/hogar.html .