To DIY or Not to DIY!?
Blog 09
June 2023
Things to consider before doing your own “self-build”.
Often during residential projects, be they extensions, renovations, new builds, studios clients, upon receiving quotations / tender returns from potential contractors, begin to look for elements of the proposed works where they could potentially save money by doing it themselves.
So begins a series of back and forth exchanges between client, architect and contractors with regard to which elements to remove from the contract and which to include.
Whilst this can be beneficial for both parties in some instances, we as Architects always suggest that our clients sleep on it and carefully consider.
With construction, no matter the scale of the project or type of work involved, there are always a few certainties!
It is messy, difficult, stressful, tiring and potentially very dangerous work - and as such this is a decision not to rush into.
We have all seen TV programmes such as Grand Designs where the home owner decides to manage the project, and the trades, themselves as they have a back ground in management - and they want to save a few quid as well.
Unfortunately we have also all seen how this can turn out - fatigue, stress, financial hardship, even divorce!
Please don’t think we are saying it can’t or shouldn’t be done, instead
“Ca’ Canny” (to proceed with caution, Scots)
One of BM’s own DIY projects
BM has a bigger allowable tolerance when he is doing his own DIY project that our clients projects….like many things it comes down to the time, money, quality balancing act.
Important factors to consider :
How much will you really save?
Will you have to take time off work to do the work?
How much could you earn to pay others to do the work in the time?
What if the portion you as the client intend to do needs to be done by a certain time to allow the next trade begin their portion?
If you aren’t ready on time you may have to pay others for loss and expense - a situation we have seen on one of our own projects.
Will you be doing it in a piecemeal fashion at evenings and weekends?
Do you have all the right equipment to do the job?
Can you hire the equipment or buy the equipment and if so factor this in against any perceived saving? (Note we don’t include borrow the equipment as the borrowing of tools is a contentious issue far beyond the scope of this blog)
Do you have the correct staging or scaffold?
Do you have the skill and understanding to do the work in a safe and proficient manner?
Do you have appropriate insurance if required?
Can you accept less than perfect work ? (again perhaps another blog on allowable tolerance is needed!)
Do you have experience, or time to practise prior?
Are you physically able to do the work?
Will you actually enjoy doing the work?
Have you thought about the time and effort involved in the set up and clean down of work not just the “fun bit”?
The list goes on and on and by now we are sure you get the gist!!
It is often easy to assume when watching renovation or self build TV shows or YouTubers that construction isn’t that difficult - sadly that is not the case!
It can however be very rewarding, to stand back and see something that you have had a key part in creating finally come together, but please don’t rush into it without taking everything into consideration first.
All the best,
BWMA