Do it Yourself of Not?

Many people like to be hands on with their home improvement. The general consensus is that when you do it yourself, you save money. While in certain situations this can be true, in most you may be losing money in the long run. If you aren't certain whether you can do home improvement properly, you should hire a professional. Taking shortcuts can result in many problems down the road.

Here are some examples of situations where you would want to hire a professional:

Tiles - Tiles require correct underlayment, subfloor, and suitable subcountertop to install. The tile quantities that one needs for a job depend on the tile layout. Many DIY enthusiasts miscalculate quantitys and leftovers cannot always be returned.

Cabinets -  These might look easy to install, but there are a lot details involved. Cabinets need to be leveled so future counters can be leveled.  All these require specific tools that makes this project very expensive. Wall cabinets need to be securely and properly installed to assure that they will stay on the wall once loaded up with heavy plates.

Plumbing -  There are many costs involved when pipes are starting to leak. A major hassle with plumbing is the soldering of pipes. This takes a lot of time, preparation, and equipment. If you don't do it right, you are risking leaky pipes which create mold that is very bad for your health and very expensive to remove.

Electrical Work -  You definitely want to hire a professional when working on electrical projects at home. If these aren't completed the right way, the results can be life threatening.

This doesn't mean you should bring in the handyman for some home improvement jobs. There are many you can do yourself. We actually encourage you to learn about your home and the proper maintenance it requires. Knowing how to do it yourself is a great quality to have.  There are many simple projects you can work on. Some possible DIY projects would be the demolition of existing cabinets (although dumping fees are still expensive), repurposing your garage, installing light fixtures, adding final decorative touches (ie: painting).

Being hands on with your home is great, but know when to call someone in. Save yourself long term money, time, research, and the inevitable headache. Hire someone you trust. Of course, you can always call Bradco. Bradco does not perform any contracting service, since it is a retail store. ONLY B&R Construction performs contracting work.

For more ideas on home improvements or help, contact Bradco Kitchens and Baths at:

Bradco Kitchens & Baths
6011 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Phone: 323.936.3457
Fax: 323.939.9354
Toll Free: 866 4 Bradco ( 272326 )