Does your property need a new look? If the interiors aren\u2019t as fresh and current as they once were, you may be considering a home improvement project. But how much do you take on yourself when it comes to DIY home d\u00e9cor, and what absolutely requires hiring a professional? Here’s what you need to know before you get started:<\/p>\n
How Handy Are You?<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sothebysrealty.ca\/insightblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/268-Hiawatha-Rd-Toronto-ON-sothebys-international-realty-canada.jpeg\")
268 Hiawatha Rd, Toronto, ON<\/a><\/div>\nBefore tackling any DIY home d\u00e9cor project, honestly assess your level of technical skill when it comes to completing renovations. These are a few questions to consider:<\/p>\n
\n- Do you have all the tools required?<\/li>\n
- Do you have a good knowledge of your local building codes, and have you acquired the necessary permits?<\/li>\n
- Are you confident that you can complete this project once you start it? What will you do if something goes wrong?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Then, consider how much time you\u2019ll have available. Even if you\u2019re confident you possess the skills to take on the task, do you have the time to do it right? If your work and\/or family schedule are quite demanding, make sure a task that should take a day doesn\u2019t stretch out for weeks. DIY home d\u00e9cor projects often take a lot more time than originally anticipated.<\/p>\n
Are Permits Required?<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sothebysrealty.ca\/insightblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/470-Timbertop-Drive-West-Vancouver-BC-sothebys-international-realty-canada-1.jpeg\")
470 Timbertop Drive, West Vancouver, BC<\/a><\/div>\nPerhaps you\u2019ve always wanted a spa in your master bath. Go for it\u2014but have a plumber do the installation. As a basic rule of thumb, if it requires a permit, hire a professional. That\u2019s true of any plumbing, gas or electrical installation, but it also involves any moving of interior walls. Regulations around permits differ by province:<\/p>\n
\n- British Columbia<\/a><\/li>\n
- Alberta<\/a><\/li>\n
- Ontario<\/a><\/li>\n
- Qu\u00e9bec<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nNo permits are needed for floor, cabinet and fixture replacement, or for painting. Keep in mind that if you\u2019re purchasing high-end wood or stone flooring, it\u2019s crucial to get it exactly right. While you should hire a professional for that job, there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t install small areas of flooring or carpeting on your own, such as in a mud room, laundry room, back bedroom, or basement.<\/p>\n
Painting and Wallpapering<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sothebysrealty.ca\/insightblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/55-Av-Lazard-Mont-Royal-QC-sothebys-international-realty-canada-1.jpeg\")
55 Av. Lazard, Mont-Royal, QC<\/a><\/div>\nNothing brightens or changes a room like a new coat of paint. The question is whether to hire a professional painter or try your hand at it yourself. The same holds true for wallpapering.<\/p>\n
Assuming you\u2019ve painted rooms before, answer these questions: How tall is the room, and how formal? If your home sports high walls and ceilings, you should likely hire someone who has experience with similar projects. Besides the fact that you\u2019d need to buy or rent ladders and other equipment, painting from heights is dangerous. Formal rooms with high-end furniture, art, and rugs need special treatment. Pros know how to do all the prep work necessary before starting the job. Bedrooms and less formal rooms are a better DIY painting project.<\/p>\n
If you want to learn wallpapering, start in a small area. A half-bath makes a good first attempt. If it doesn\u2019t succeed, go for paint or hire a professional to fix it. If you get the hang of it, embark on bedrooms and less public spaces before deciding to tackle a major living area.<\/p>\n
Upgrading the Kitchen \u2014 What You Can Do<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sothebysrealty.ca\/insightblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/139-Cranarch-Circle-SE-Calgary-AB-sothebys-international-realty-canada.jpeg\")
139 Cranarch Circle SE, Calgary, AB<\/a><\/div>\nKitchen upgrades add more value to your home than almost any other, but they also interfere more with daily life. Depending on the scope of the project, you and your family could eat take-out food for longer than you’d like. Doing some of the work on your own saves time and money.<\/p>\n
You certainly aren\u2019t going to install new steel appliances or granite countertops, but that doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t smaller DIY kitchen upgrades you can handle. Changing or refinishing cupboard doors are good DIY undertakings. So is installing a backsplash, whether for the sink or counter.<\/p>\n
Consider the Satisfaction of a Job Well Done<\/h2>\n
Even if a professional does the bulk of the work in your home makeover, it\u2019s good to be involved throughout the process to ensure the result matches your vision for your home. Plus, there\u2019s not only the satisfaction of a job well done, but also the knowledge gained while doing the work. There\u2019s always another DIY home d\u00e9cor project down the line with more opportunities to acquire expertise.<\/p>\n
Looking to refresh the look of a smaller space? Read our tips on Easy Upgrades That Maximize Your ROI<\/a> and Simple Tips to Maximize Condo Space<\/a> are another great way to add value to your home.<\/p>\n
268 Hiawatha Rd, Toronto, ON<\/a><\/div>\nBefore tackling any DIY home d\u00e9cor project, honestly assess your level of technical skill when it comes to completing renovations. These are a few questions to consider:<\/p>\n
\n
- Do you have all the tools required?<\/li>\n
- Do you have a good knowledge of your local building codes, and have you acquired the necessary permits?<\/li>\n
- Are you confident that you can complete this project once you start it? What will you do if something goes wrong?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Then, consider how much time you\u2019ll have available. Even if you\u2019re confident you possess the skills to take on the task, do you have the time to do it right? If your work and\/or family schedule are quite demanding, make sure a task that should take a day doesn\u2019t stretch out for weeks. DIY home d\u00e9cor projects often take a lot more time than originally anticipated.<\/p>\n
Are Permits Required?<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Perhaps you\u2019ve always wanted a spa in your master bath. Go for it\u2014but have a plumber do the installation. As a basic rule of thumb, if it requires a permit, hire a professional. That\u2019s true of any plumbing, gas or electrical installation, but it also involves any moving of interior walls. Regulations around permits differ by province:<\/p>\n
\n
- British Columbia<\/a><\/li>\n
- Alberta<\/a><\/li>\n
- Ontario<\/a><\/li>\n
- Qu\u00e9bec<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nNo permits are needed for floor, cabinet and fixture replacement, or for painting. Keep in mind that if you\u2019re purchasing high-end wood or stone flooring, it\u2019s crucial to get it exactly right. While you should hire a professional for that job, there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t install small areas of flooring or carpeting on your own, such as in a mud room, laundry room, back bedroom, or basement.<\/p>\n
Painting and Wallpapering<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Nothing brightens or changes a room like a new coat of paint. The question is whether to hire a professional painter or try your hand at it yourself. The same holds true for wallpapering.<\/p>\n
Assuming you\u2019ve painted rooms before, answer these questions: How tall is the room, and how formal? If your home sports high walls and ceilings, you should likely hire someone who has experience with similar projects. Besides the fact that you\u2019d need to buy or rent ladders and other equipment, painting from heights is dangerous. Formal rooms with high-end furniture, art, and rugs need special treatment. Pros know how to do all the prep work necessary before starting the job. Bedrooms and less formal rooms are a better DIY painting project.<\/p>\n
If you want to learn wallpapering, start in a small area. A half-bath makes a good first attempt. If it doesn\u2019t succeed, go for paint or hire a professional to fix it. If you get the hang of it, embark on bedrooms and less public spaces before deciding to tackle a major living area.<\/p>\n
Upgrading the Kitchen \u2014 What You Can Do<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Kitchen upgrades add more value to your home than almost any other, but they also interfere more with daily life. Depending on the scope of the project, you and your family could eat take-out food for longer than you’d like. Doing some of the work on your own saves time and money.<\/p>\n
You certainly aren\u2019t going to install new steel appliances or granite countertops, but that doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t smaller DIY kitchen upgrades you can handle. Changing or refinishing cupboard doors are good DIY undertakings. So is installing a backsplash, whether for the sink or counter.<\/p>\n
Consider the Satisfaction of a Job Well Done<\/h2>\n
Even if a professional does the bulk of the work in your home makeover, it\u2019s good to be involved throughout the process to ensure the result matches your vision for your home. Plus, there\u2019s not only the satisfaction of a job well done, but also the knowledge gained while doing the work. There\u2019s always another DIY home d\u00e9cor project down the line with more opportunities to acquire expertise.<\/p>\n
Looking to refresh the look of a smaller space? Read our tips on Easy Upgrades That Maximize Your ROI<\/a> and Simple Tips to Maximize Condo Space<\/a> are another great way to add value to your home.<\/p>\n