Problems and Limits of a DIY Installation

Homeowners across the country, thanks to a wide range of available information and a desire to save money, are deciding to go the DIY approach to home improvement projects. If you have the inclination and skill, going the DIY route for your ceramic tile installation may be a viable option. Like any labor method, DIY projects have their inherent advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of. Some of the biggest advantages of choosing to complete your ceramic tile installation yourself include:

• Low Labor Costs: When you complete a home improvement project yourself without the help of contractors, your labor costs are zero. It’s important to note, however, that if you run into problems during the course of your project and do something incorrectly, it can cost you a great deal of money down the line in repair costs.
• Disruptions: When you rely on contractors to complete your tiling project, it can end up being very disruptive to your schedule, with workers constantly coming and going. With DIY, on the other hand, work can be completed based on your schedule and at your convenience.
• Project Completion: Contractor projects have a way of dragging on without any way for you to speed up the process, resulting in ballooning costs and frustration levels. DIY projects have the advantage of being completed in the timeframe that you want, often being much faster than contractor projects.
• Sense of Pride: Completing a large flooring project on your own can massively increase your self-worth and give you the confidence that you need to tackle more home improvement projects in the future.

• Construction Errors: If you are facing a large, complex ceramic tile installation, the chances that you will make a mistake increase, costing you more money than if you had hired a contractor in the first place.
• Hygiene: Any home improvement project involves a great deal of clean up, sometimes with caustic materials. If you’re not prepared for this process, it can end in disaster. Contractors, on the other hand, have a long background dealing with such concerns and can handle clean up safely and effectively.
• Equipment Costs: Unlike yourself, contractors will come equipped with all the tools necessary to complete a ceramic tile installation at no additional cost.
• Licensing: Many home improvement projects require specific building permits and licenses to be completed legally. If you neglect to get these documents, it can result in big fines and a slowdown of your project. Contractors have the knowledge and ability to easily navigate the licensing process.

Resale Value

Many homeowners wonder how much a given home improvement project may add to the ultimate resale value of their home. Although installing ceramic tile will be enticing for many prospective home buyers, it won’t result in any appreciable increase in the current or future value of your home.