Should I do it myself or have a pro do the remodel?

Americans love their home remodeling projects. Last year they spent almost 150 billion dollars on home improvements, up almost five percent from 2004. Although DIY projects should hold your home improvement figure down, it actually may shoot the figure higher due to amateur mistakes that could have been avoided. Here are some tips to get the most from your home improvement budget.

If the idea is to raise the value of your home, don’t assume any investment in  improvement is going to translate in identical home value. Get real about your goals and the results.

Know thyself…and thy true abilities. There are some jobs better left to the professionals. Electrical wiring comes to mind. Think about your friends and family and see if their strengths can match up with your weaknesses. Offer to help them next weekend. Know thy codes as well. Local permits and requirements are key to a smooth operation.
The domino effect is operative in home improvement…fix the kitchen counter and then the floor looks dingy. Tile the floor and the cabinets aren’t up to snuff. You get the idea. If you aren’t disciplined in your vision, the jobs can keep going, over budget and outta time.

Know when quality counts. Skimpy cabinet shelving may save money and no one sees it, until your dishes produce a bow over time in the cheapy shelving.

Know when to be creative. Paint gives you the biggest bang for your decorating buck, so put away the wallpapering book if you can.

Think ahead, and through your project, getting as much advice as you can before you actually start and happy DIYing.