You’ve heard the horror stories about working with contractors, and you’ve looked at the bids that have come in and have said, “This is too expensive.” Perhaps you’re thinking, “I could build this home myself.”

Well, the good news is, you can. But before you head to the lumber yard, you’ll want to think seriously about whether doing your own construction work is a good idea. While there may be advantages to building a home yourself, it’s not a project for an amateur.

Pros and Cons of DIY House Building

Building a home on your own is a major undertaking. Before you begin, you will want to weigh the pros and cons.

Advantages of DIY building include:

• Complete control: You make all the decisions, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected surprises.
• Cost: If you plan ahead and know what you’re doing, it can be cheaper to build your own home.
• Less conflict: If you are the builder, you won’t have anyone to complain to about cost overruns and construction delays.

Disadvantages of DIY building include:

• Difficulties with permits, licenses and building codes: Professional builders have experience dealing with these areas of building (which can be quite complicated), while most DIY-ers do not.
• Financing: It may be difficult (or impossible) to obtain a construction loan if you are a DIY builder, because banks are often unwilling to lend to inexperienced builders.
• Lack of connections: Professional builders have connections with suppliers and sub-contractors so they can get discounts and timely service.
• Time: Building a home is time-consuming. If you have a full-time job or other responsibilities, it will take significantly longer to build your home.

DIY Home Construction Basics

If you’re going to build a home yourself, knowing when to delegate is key. Some people may have the skills needed to build an entire house from the bottom up. But unless you’re skilled in construction (or have some talented and generous friends), you are going to have to seek professional help for many aspects of the home building process.

Even if you plan to do much of the construction work yourself, you will likely still need to hire someone to excavate your lot and pour the foundation. In addition, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems are often best handled by a professional tradesperson.

If you are intent on having hands-on involvement in the home building process, you may be able to find a builder who will put up a shell of a house, allowing you to finish it off. This approach will ensure that your new home is structurally sound, while allowing you to do things like hang drywall, install cabinets or paint.

However, even projects that seem simple can turn complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing. If you aren’t confident in your construction and home repair skills, it’s probably best to hand the entire project over to a professional.