Whether you are planning to sell your home, or stay there for many years, completing a bathroom remodel offers great returns to homeowners. If you’re interested in remodeling this important space, you’ll need to decide if you should do a DIY bathroom remodel or hire a bathroom remodeling contractor. Read on to find out if a DIY bathroom project is right for you.

Advantages of DIY Bath Remodel

If you choose to complete a DIY bathroom project, you’ll enjoy some distinct advantages:

• Control of materials: With a DIY bath remodel, you purchase everything directly, ensuring that only the best quality materials are used.
• Satisfaction: The satisfaction and confidence you gain from remodeling your bathroom will stay with you for years.
• Savings: Experts estimate that you can save as much as 50 percent on the cost of a bathroom renovation with a DIY bath remodel. That means twice the bathroom for the same price!
• Scheduling: If you do the work yourself, you control the schedule, rather than waiting for a remodeling contractor.

Advantages of Using a Remodeling Contractor

Hiring a contractor to do your bathroom remodel also offers many advantages:

• Expertise: A good, licensed bathroom remodeling contractor has years of experience, and access to trained specialty sub-contractors.
• Free time: Your free time can be spent as you choose, rather than having another job to do when you come home from work.
• Permits and paperwork: Major bathroom renovations require permits as well as town or city inspections of the work. A remodeling contractor will handle these responsibilities so you don’t need to take time off from work.
• Written estimates and guarantees: When you have a contract and payment schedule in writing, you don’t pay a bathroom remodeling contractor until each stage of the work is completed to your satisfaction.

Making Your Decision

With so many benefits offered both by doing a bathroom remodel yourself and hiring a contractor, how do you decide? Here are a few guidelines to help you decide which approach is right for you:

• Examine your temperament: DIY bathroom remodels aren’t for everyone. You’ll need patience, an ability to stay calm and a sense of adventure to enjoy a DIY bathroom remodel. If you tend to be a bit of a worrier, and prefer safe, secure experiences, you may be happier with a remodeling contractor.
• Consider your schedule: How much free time do you have? If your work schedule isn’t too taxing, and you enjoy working on your home during your free time, a DIY bath remodel may be perfect for you.
• Take an honest look at your skills and experience: Are you handy? Do you enjoy fixing things around the home?  Have you successfully completed other DIY projects? If not, you may be happier hiring a bathroom remodeling contractor.

Remember, you don’t have to approach your whole project one way or the other. You can get the best of both worlds by hiring a remodeling contractor for the most complex aspects of your remodel, and taking on the simpler bathroom remodel tasks yourself.