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Home Improvement – These are the 4 main benefits of DIY

It’s no secret that home improvement projects can at times get expensive especially if you factor in the costs of bringing a professional contractor on board. This is when most people realize the value of DIY. Being able to do the improvement work yourself especially if it doesn’t require any major construction work can be very beneficial to you. In this article, we are going to highlight the 4main benefits of DIY when you are engaged in your home improvement project.

1 It will tremendously bring down your costs

The costs of getting a professional contractor can be very high considering that they will bring in other sub-contractors and most of their costs will be factored in the bill they finally give you. In addition, different contractors have preferences on the material they use and most will often go for the high end material which will cost you more. However, if you decide to opt to DIY, you will tremendously cut down of these high labor costs and you also have the freedom to research on cheaper material that still provides the same utility value as the expensive material.

2 You will end up acquiring new skills

The beauty about the internet is that through it you can access many tutorials on how to DIY. Therefore the more you practice and the more you engage in such projects at home, you get better and better at it and this essentially means that you have acquired new skills which no doubt will come in handy at some point down the road.

3 You can acquire income generating skills

As we mentioned in our earlier point, the more you engage in DIY projects the more you become good at it and perfect your skills. You may end up being so good at it that you can use your newly acquired skills to earn an income by either working on other people’s home improvement projects or training them on how to do it.

4 You can get a good opportunity to network

Often when you are doing DIY projects during your home improvement, you will often have to handle everything from going to the hardware store to purchase the material and equipment, to visiting online forums as you seek to get more knowledge and ideas on how to execute your project. Such tasks will increase the number of people you interact with and this will help grow your network of both friends and professional acquaintances. With such benefits, why would you need a professional contractor? The main area to be cautious on however, will be whether the amount of improvement work you are about to engage in requires a permit from your local authority. [caption id="attachment_399" align="alignnone" width="900"] Image source: visual.ly[/caption]

Choosing the Right Builder for Your Project

Regardless of whether we’re looking for a house extension, or have a more challenging project on the horizon, the meeting of deadlines and assurance of quality means we need to make sure that we’re choosing the right builder for our needs. We’ve probably all heard the horror stories associated with hiring the services of an incapable builder, and the stress it can cause when an inexperienced contractor has promised you one thing, only for you to be met with another. Fortunately, the majority of builders operate in a moral and ethical way, but this doesn’t mean we should choose the first builder that comes along. A little research ensures that you’re not going to be let down when it comes to your building project. Experience is Vital It stands to reason that the longer a company has been operating, the more experience it will have, and this is especially true for the construction industry. They are many facets associated with the world of construction, and while there may be some contractors who are experienced in one field, they may not be as experienced in another. This means that the costs associated with ay building work can pile up, as we’re having to use more than one professional for the work that needs to be undertaken. Using a construction company that has experience will ensure that you’re not only being given access to true professionals, but you will often find that the quotes are more cost-effective, as the work is being carried out by one company as opposed to several. Communication is Key When dancing which construction company is the best fit for you, you will often be able to determine a lot of by the initial contact. Is the company answering your questions? Have they had experience with type of work before? Are they able to complete the work in the allocated time? Although not every construction company will be able to meet your deadlines in every instance, a professional company will ensure that you’re made aware of this, and when you can realistically expect the job to be completed. If a construction company can’t give you the answers you need, then it be ay worthwhile looking elsewhere. Don’t Assume the Cheapest Quote is The Best It’s understandable that we don’t want to spend a small fortune when it comes to building work, but we need to be careful we’re not swayed by the price alone. Although some companies may offer a cheaper price than a more experienced company, you may find that there are some limitations with the service you use. For example, it could mean that inferior products are being used, which means you could end up paying for repairs in the future, or even having to hire the services of another professional to rectify the issue. Check for Reviews and Testimonials A company that has completed successful projects in the past should have little issue in providing you with reviews and testimonials. How these are presented can depend on the company. For example, some may have their testimonials on their website, whereas others may have reviews on Google My Business or Yelp. If a construction company seems a little coy about providing you with past testimonial, it’s advisable to search elsewhere for a professional. Check the Company Is Insured Nobody likes to think about the things that could go wrong when using the services of a construction company, but you need to ensure that you’re checking the credentials of the company you’re planning to use. Although many construction companies can offer customers a reliable service, there can be instances where something could go wrong. If the construction company is insured, then there’s little to worry about. However, if you’ve chosen a contractor who isn’t insured, then anything that goes wrong could be left for you to deal with, and often your own home insurance will not be able to cover such an occurrence. As you can imagine, this can be very costly, as not only will you need to pay to have any damages rectified, but also for the initial work to be carried out again. Ensure a Contract is In Place for Substantial Work There will be times when the work of a builder must go over budget, but a professional will keep you in the loop at all times and let you know what options are available. If you’re looking to have a lot of work carried out, then it can be useful to build up a contract with the construction company so both parties are fully aware of any obligations and costs. If a company is pushing you to hand over money with no clear quotation insight, then you need to refuse until clarity and confirmation have been offered. A professional construction company will have little issue in coming up with a contract that outlines the work that needs to be carried out as well as the cost agreed. Ensure Payment Dates are Agreed Following on from the creation of the contract, there may be phases during the work where payments need to be made. Agreeing with what phase of completed work payment should be made ensures that there are no misunderstandings later on. Although a construction company must understand a customer needs to ensure the capital is available, customers also need to understand that a majority of the money will be spent on materials, so regular payments may be vital for the project to move forward.    

Metal vs Wood Garages

When looking to showcase a vintage car collection, the style of the garage can make all the difference. However, those looking to show off their latest collection not only have to consider the practicality and cost, but also the aesthetics of the garage. There is plenty of choices available when it comes to a garage, but just because a particular garage has worked for someone else, doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you. The use of metal garages has exceeded over the last few years, and this can be attributed to their robust and adaptable nature. However, some may be interested in other variants, such as a wooden shed, and while this serves a purpose, metal garages have the edge in several different ways. Metal Is Stronger Against Pests Many will have experienced some form of a tree that has been present for hundreds of years, and this is because wood is a strong material. As such, if you’re looking to build a home away from home in the great outdoors, it's understandable why wood is the chosen material. However, those looking to protect their fleet of cars are looking for something that can protect their vehicles against the elements, as well as any other outside threats. Although wood is strong, it doesn’t have the same staying power when weather and pests are concerned. Not only can wood absorb water but can be an open house for a series of unwanted pests. Metal doesn’t falter when adverse weather strikes, and outside pests have nothing to gain by intruding a metal garage, giving you the additional peace-of-mind, when safeguarding your vehicles. Metal Is More Affordable Some car enthusiasts like to spend a lot on classic and exotic cars and feel that the same must be true for the garage. Although you shouldn’t consider prices that are too good to be true, the facts of the matter are that metal is more affordable than wood, and is better designed to protect your vehicles, and even act as a workshop should the need arise. Although there are wooden garages that offer the same stability, these are often more expensive to purchase, and in some instances, can be difficult to maintain. Different Options for Different Needs The affordability of metal garages is often due to the way they can be tailored to a specific need. Not only does this relate to the plan of the garage, but also the opening mechanism. Some may prefer the tradition chain approach when opening their garage door, whereas others may prefer a more modern approach. Regardless of your requirements, there is no reason as to why you can’t find a solution that meets your budget and requirements. An example of the types of metal garages can be found at www.steelbuildinguk.com/sub/metal-garages/ which offers bespoke solutions and free quotations, making your next metal garage purchase one to enjoy.