What jobs must be done by contractors?

Never having owned a home, I don't know what jobs must be done by contractors and what is allowed to be done by DIYers.

I believe decks have to be done by contractors if I am correct. But what about all the other renovations people do their homes?

Bathrooms? Kitchens?

Thanks.

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

my DH and I have done a lot of renovations in our house (bathroom and kitchen included) but we draw the line at plumbing and some more complicated electrical work. We like to leave that to the professionals!!

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

Personally, anything we can do ourselves, we always will. It all depends on your comfort level and experience and willingness to learn. Also, time and money are factors. I know plenty of people who have built their own decks, btw

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

it depends on your skill level

I have to hire someone to change a light bulb

ok, I'm kidding- but not really

I know what we are good at

and home improvement projects are not a strenght for us

and to me- time is money

I would rather pay extra to have the job done quick and right

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

the only thing we hired someone to do was the gas line. Al's done everything else - including re-wiring the electric box, gutting our kitchen, replacing all the windows, and taking down a load bearing wall (probably needed a permit for that one...shh )

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

Being the wife of a contractor I would hire someone to do any and all electrical and major plumbing. There is a reason those people get paid what they do, experience!

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

Electrical and plumbing work.

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

it's your house & you can improve it yourself any way you like. Its not that things need to be done by contractors, its that certain things like decks require permits & permits are usually obtained by contractors with proper insurance & qualifications.

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

Posted by -Lisa-

the only thing we hired someone to do was the gas line. Al's done everything else - including re-wiring the electric box, gutting our kitchen, replacing all the windows, and taking down a load bearing wall (probably needed a permit for that one...shh )

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

Most things (except for plumbing and electrical, which need a licensed professional for many tasks) don't NEED a contractor, but they DO need permits. Every town is different, so you really need to check with Town Hall to find out. I'm pretty sure that adding decks, changing the footprint, changing load-bearing walls, and adding new walls (if you make more potential bedrooms, the town definitely needs to know about it), they all need permits.

Some towns require permits for putting up a fence, taking down trees, etc. Other towns don't...

Re: What jobs must be done by contractors?

Thanks! That really clears things up for me. I thought it was illegal to DIY certain things. DH would never attempt plumbing and electrical, thank goodness.

I'm sure he will attempt all other types of projects. Not sure yet if thats a good or bad thing.