Smart Remodeling: 10 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Professional Contractor

If you’re thinking of embarking on a big remodeling project, one of the first questions you’ll ask yourself is this:

Who will do the work?

With a seemingly endless library of tutorials online and the ability to obtain contractor tools quite easily, going the do-it-yourself (DIY) route is often a viable—not to mention affordable—alternative to hiring a professional.

But not all jobs are DIY-friendly and doing certain tasks yourself can come with a list of big risks.

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Unless you’re a skilled pro or were trained as such in the past, it’s probably better to hire a contractor when undergoing a remodel.

Here are some of the most important reasons why.

1. The Pros Are Insured and Bonded

Insurance and bonds are two major advantages contractors have over side-hustlers and do-it-yourselfers.

Hiring a bonded and insured professional provides you with a safeguard should something go wrong.

Some contractors have liability insurance, which means you could be compensated should any damage occur to your property. This could also cover damages caused by low-quality materials or shoddy work.

2. The Pros Have Commercial-Grade Tools

Because of the fact that contractors tend to own or have access to a broader array of heavy-duty and commercial-grade tools, you’ll have fewer limitations in terms of what you can do with the space.

For example, a contractor likely has access to a wet tile saw for cutting marble or granite, while most individuals do not.

Contractor-grade tools can shave days off big projects because they can handle higher capacities faster and generally require fewer do-overs.

3. The Pros Have Connections in the Industry

In the same vein, it’s important to consider the vast networks surrounding construction and remodeling pros.

After working in the industry for years, most pros have hookups in every corner of the business, from their materials suppliers to the staff at the city’s buildings department.

Importantly, most professional contractors work closely with skilled laborers they trust, including plumbers, electricians, structural engineers, and others who may need to be called in to help do the job right.

Most professionals have friends in the industry they can refer to, as needed, without having to pay them for their time.

4. The Pros Have Employees

We’re willing to guess that, besides a few buddies who are happy to be paid in pizza and beer, most do-it-yourselfers generally don’t have a crew of employees at their disposal.

Having a crew of workers means that work that might take an amateur a month will take a professional a week.

It also helps reduce the strain and exhaustion of physical labor.

5. The Pros Have Connections That May Equal Price Savings

Surprisingly, doing things yourself isn’t always the cheapest way to go.

One important thing to consider with regard to budget is that contractors are able to get special pricing when sourcing tools, materials, and supplies.

While you’ll pay for labor, you’ll most likely be able to score your finishes—countertops, floors, showers and bathtubs, cabinets, and even appliances and furniture at times—for a lower price if you go through a professional.

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6. The Pros (Usually) Do It Legally

Another great benefit of working with a professional is that they know how to secure all the right permits and permissions to get the job done legally.

Although most individuals and homeowners are perfectly capable of doing this themselves, it takes a ton of time and research, not to mention many trips and phone calls to your city or county government offices, just to make sure you’re doing things right.

6. The Pros Know That Murphy’s Law Is Pretty Much a Guarantee

“Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” In remodeling, Murphy’s Law is pretty much a guarantee, and nobody knows that better than skilled professionals.

While there are plenty of approachable DIY projects for first-timers, most jobs are anything but straightforward, which means you’ll be thrown into the unexpected.

The best thing about using a professional is that they’ve seen it all before, which means they know how to handle every snafu.

7. The Pros Have Trucks

We can’t underestimate the importance of access to a box truck, trailer, or work van, and truckless do-it-yourselfers know that it gets really old relying on your one buddy with a pickup truck every time you need to move supplies.

Your contractor’s truck not only makes logistics much easier, but it also helps you save on delivery fees and the inevitable truck rental you’ll need midway through your big project.

8. The Pros Are Focused on You and You Only

One big difference between you and the guys you hire is that they do this for a living! That means expertise and experience, but it also means total dedication.

They’re not juggling a completely different job in addition to yours, which means they’re able to put a lot more into it than you might be able to after work and on weekends.

9. The Pros Do It Safely

Last but not least: safety. Professionals have a lot more motivation to follow work safety guidelines and regulations because they risk losing their business if they do not.

That means they’re much more likely to follow best practices that enhance safety for their team as well as you, your family, and your home.

They also tend to know exactly how to protect your home from damage and will have the special tools and supplies needed to do a clean, professional job.

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10. Going Pro Is the Way to Go

At the end of the day, remember that who does your work will have a massive impact on the finished product.

While there are certainly many projects that can be tackled by first-timers and novices, others should be left to the pros.

Going pro is a requirement anytime you want to feel confident and be sure the job will get done right.