When you decide to remodel your closet, many changes can be made on your own, or with the help of handy family or friends. However, once you decide when to remodel a closet, you may also want to consider contacting a professional for either the design or the construction aspect of your closet remodel–or both. As a general rule, the decision of whether you complete your closet remodel yourself or to call a professional depends on:

• Budget
• Level of construction experience you have
• Type of remodel.

The Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Closet Remodel

Many off-the-shelf closet organization products are available to help you with a DIY closet remodel. This is an excellent option if you’re working under a strict budget, or if you need few modifications (adding a few shelves to house more folded items and a few baskets, for example). Overall, less-complex and less-invasive renovation projects can often be done yourself. You can also look online for ideas and instructions, or seek the advice of a home improvement store employee.

If you have experience in construction, or can work under the supervision of a friend or relative who’s a contractor or builder, you may want to take on more extensive renovations yourself. If you have the knowledge and experience, you can save money by completing these projects yourself.

When to Call a Professional

If you want to complete an extensive remodel with built-in components, it’s usually wise to enlist the services of a professional carpenter or contractor. This is especially true if you want to change any structural elements of your existing closet or room. Tearing down a wall may not seem like much work, but you can quickly find yourself in trouble if you damage or remove a weight-bearing wall in your home, as it can damage the house’s structural integrity.

In addition, if you hang heavy shelves on drywall, the weight can cause the wall to fall down, even tearing a hole in the wall. If you don’t have sufficient background knowledge, a professional can prevent accidental damage to your home.

Hiring a Design Professional

You can also hire a professional for help with designing your closet. As in the construction aspect, the more extensive and complex the remodel, the more likely you are to benefit from the services of a professional designer.

An expert on closet design can suggest ideas you may not have considered for difficult storage problems, and can help you to make the most of your storage space. Overall, professional closet remodeling is more expensive than completing the project yourself, so your budget will also affect whether you want to hire a professional designer, contractor, or both. However, for an extensive closet remodel, hiring a professional can be worth the money.