WHEN IS IT SMARTER TO DNDIY (Do Not Do It Yourself)?
We’ve all heard the popular acronym DIY. Do It Yourself has become more of a way of life than a phrase. People everywhere are taking on projects they never thought possible, and doing a great job at it. Sometimes, though, DIY goes wrong and doesn’t turn out the way you expect. If you try to make a wreath for your front door and it doesn’t turn out right, that’s no big deal. Just try again or go buy one. But what if your DIY project was a major roof repair on your 200,000 square foot commercial building? Trying to save a little money by making the repairs with an in-house construction team doesn’t always save money in the end and can be a big mistake. Let’s look at how to evaluate whether or not you should attempt to do your next roofing project yourself.
Do You Have the KSA’s?
First and foremost, before you begin your next roofing project and attempt to DIY, make sure you are capable. Everyone is good at something, and everyone is bad at something. Make sure roofing isn’t your downfall before undergoing a month-long repair project. Make sure you have the KSA’s necessary to properly and effectively complete the project. KSA’s are knowledge, skills, and abilities. Do you have the knowledge of what is wrong and how to fix it? Do you have the technical expertise to fix it correctly? And do you have the abilities (which includes having the right amount of time) to finish the project? If you answered no to any of these questions, don’t DIY! Call a contractor, who will actually save you money in the end.
What Do You Have to Gain?
And perhaps more importantly, what do you have to lose? Will making this repair yourself save you a significant amount of money? If things go wrong, could it cost you a significant amount of money? Will it take up all your time and attention for the next three weeks? If you’re the facility manger for 8 different buildings, it may not be wise to spend three to four weeks on a single roof that is taking all your time and attention.
Conclusion
Calling a contractor can be intimidating at first because you don’t know if they are honest, fairly-priced, and competent themselves. However, if you properly evaluate your contractor before hiring them, and then keep a steady flow of communication, you can build trust and ensure you’re getting a fair product. If you attempt a DIY project that goes south, it can cost you even more to pay a contractor to repair problems you caused and then repair the original problem. DIY projects are a great way to save money, exercise different parts of your brain, and get a more familiar knowledge of your roof. But if you don’t have the KSA’s and have a lot to lose, it may be your best bet to call a contractor for your next project.
