Do it yourself, CAN save YOU BIG buckS! 

DIY is probably the most prosperous way to save buckets of money literally. Obviously their will be times when doing it yourself it not worth the time, effort and sometimes money. But we will get to that. Let me explain further, and just maybe I may get you to become a do it yourselfer.

This endeavor started off many, many years ago. I basically decided to outsource all my renovations. When I started to figure out the price tag of what it costs for someone to come in to-do the work vs. what it cost me to-do it. Boy was I shocked! I was going to get hosed if I got someone in to do the work! After even more thought there was no way I can afford for someone to do the renovations on what I make. Even if I had planned and budgeted it, it would have taken me 10 years to complete vs. I do it myself in 3 to 5 years. My mind was set I was going to be a handy man.

Let me give you an example. I bought a new home from a large home builder and like most first time homeowners I started to ask for extras and what it would cost me. One of the extras was hardwood floors. They quoted me over 10k for the main floor. Now as usual I don’t take too well when someone is trying to hose me. So I researched and found out if I put them in myself it would cost me about 3 to 4 thousand. Yeah! Wow! No kidding, so for 10 grand I can have done both the main and second floor for less.

Now you’re asking me. How did you possibly find hardwood for less then 4k? Well you have many options. One of my favorite is finding warehouses that sell this stuff in bulk. Or even just keeping your eyes on sales for hardwood it’s amazing what you can get it for.

Well your probably saying I am not much of a do it yourself type of guy. Well I knew this question was coming. I bet you have a friend or family member who is handy and that can mentor you. If by chance you do feel some what savvy. Do yourself a favor; find seminars that are free especially at those big box stores or hit the website for the specific product you’re looking for. They have full instructions on how to do about anything and most now include videos.

Trust me your never comfortable doing a project until you jump into it and trust me their will be times where you will get frustrated. Well that quite common, at this point you stop take a break and do a bit more research. As long as you don’t hurt yourself physically not mentally that always happens, you will be pulled into a curve once in a while. Now sometimes let’s face it you will eventually reach a point where you’ll say, you know I just don’t have the dexterity or I don’t fully understand. Then its time to outsource it out and maybe because you have done part of the work it won’t cost you too much to get someone else to finish it.

On certain occasions, you will figure out what it costs you to do the work compared to someone else doing may be a few bucks. At this point, you make an executive decision and say well I can let someone else do this part while I use my energy somewhere else.

Since I’ve been a “Do It Yourselfer” I have saved myself 10s if not 100s of thousands of dollars. From crown molding to a full basement(entertainment room) to Pergolas, Decks to even a BBQ Hut with a clay tile roof, built to accommodate my large but interesting BBQ.

You know at the end of it all it’s a great feeling knowing you built it yourself and let’s face it its darn contagious. I am constantly looking for the next project to tackle. In fact I have converted a few friends who did not know the right side of a hammer let alone a nail. But I worked with them as a mentor and now they are taking on bigger projects then I ever have. That alone is a confidence booster and knowing you just helped someone else save a ton of money feels great!

Enjoy and good luck!