{"id":9962,"date":"2019-03-28T19:56:02","date_gmt":"2019-03-29T02:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=9962"},"modified":"2025-09-17T09:38:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T16:38:46","slug":"why-hire-a-contractor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/why-hire-a-contractor\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Hire a Contractor for That House Project?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why hire a contractor when you\u2019ve got a master\u2019s degree in HGTV? According to Al Urban<\/a>, a top-selling Kansas City agent<\/a>, overconfidence is all too common among homeowners who\u2019d be better off leaving the big projects to the pros.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll see where they cut a molding too short, and they put all kinds of caulking at the corner, and then painted over it, and you go, \u2018Oh, goodness,\u2019\u201d said Urban.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s always a dead giveaway that there might be other things in the house that they did themselves that they really shouldn\u2019t have done.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These shortcuts (forgive the pun) are notorious in the house flipping industry<\/a>, but the gaffes can be just as detrimental when the time comes to sell your main home<\/a>. Before you make that costly Lowe\u2019s run and start any demo, review the benefits of having a trusted contractor<\/a> on your side, compared to when you can get away with a harmless DIY project.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Pxhere)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What are the benefits of hiring a general contractor?<\/h2>\n

A contractor is different from a handyman<\/a> or similar professional in skillset, licensing, and expertise.<\/p>\n

While general contractors coordinate and execute larger home renovation projects<\/a>, other types of contractors (subcontractors) specialize in a particular trade, such as roofing, plumbing, carpentry, or electrical work.<\/p>\n

Contractors typically must be licensed by the state and carry an installation or workmanship warranty to guarantee they\u2019ve done the job correctly.<\/p>\n

Because they\u2019re licensed, these professionals also must ensure that their work meets code requirements<\/a>. (A skilled handyman is unlicensed but is an economical option for smaller jobs<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The benefits of hiring a contractor<\/a> depend on the scope of the job. In general, they protect you as a home seller from higher material costs in doing the work yourself and any legal liability should the work be done incorrectly.<\/p>\n

Renovation Planners, a certified construction management firm, estimates that 30% percent<\/a> of contractors\u2019 work comes from repairing do-it-yourself projects gone wrong.<\/p>\n

If you need more convincing to hire a pro, these are the main advantages:<\/p>\n

1. Major projects have a steep learning curve, even if you think you\u2019re handy<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s understandable that homeowners want to save time and money where they can when selling a house, but depending on the repair, not hiring a contractor can get you in over your head.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be kind of a nightmare where contractors know the people and know the jargon for getting the work done correctly, and homeowners may not have that experience,\u201d Urban said. \u201cI think sometimes a project suffers just because of communication and lack of knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Pull the right building codes and permits<\/h3>\n

Although you don\u2019t need a permit on every home repair, a contractor will know when you do need one.<\/p>\n

Although code requirements vary by municipality, California in its Building Standards Code<\/a>, for example, says that no building or structure may be \u201cerected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished\u201d without a separate permit from a building official.<\/p>\n

California also requires using a licensed contractor if the project, including labor and materials, exceeds $500<\/a>. Otherwise, the state could force you to remove the project without compensation or issue a fine.<\/p>\n

Curious about the rules around permits in your area? Review this resource list with links to all 50 states\u2019 building codes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Follow proper construction methods, take the right safety precautions, and buck legal liability<\/h3>\n

A licensed contractor must undergo strict regulation. In Florida, for instance, the Construction Industry Licensing Board<\/a> certifies general contractors, building contractors, residential contractors, mechanical contractors, and subcontractors handling specialties such as swimming pools, spas, sheet metal, roofing, air-conditioning, plumbing, solar energy, underground utilities, and pollutant storage.<\/p>\n

Florida Certified Contractors must have at least four years of field experience, at least one in a supervisory role; must pass a written exam; and provide a proven record of financial stability (i.e., no liens, a credit score of 660 or higher, and no felony criminal record of money laundering, embezzlement, or financial services).<\/p>\n

The licensing board also requires that contractors carry workers\u2019 compensation coverage. Not only do you want to save the time and headache of redoing work that isn\u2019t done properly, you don\u2019t want to be held liable for any workers injured on the job.<\/p>\n

4. Get better prices on materials and labor<\/h3>\n

Contractors not only have specialized knowledge but contacts with subcontractors they can hire and discounts on materials. On materials alone, contractors can save big at retailers whereas consumers will pay full price for materials. Home Depot, for example, offers reduced pricing on orders over $1,500<\/a>, plus bulk pricing on more than 4,000 products such as roofing, pavers, drywall, and paint supplies.<\/p>\n

5. Keep crews busy and the work flowing<\/h3>\n

Urban has a list of contractors that he\u2019s referred to clients who have been impressed with their work. He connects these professionals with clients because of reliability\u2014and because they consistently get the work done on time.<\/p>\n

\u201cA reasonable time frame is generally important because if you\u2019re trying to meet deadlines in terms of closing, then you want somebody you can count on that’ll come within a day or two,\u201d he said. \u201cThey obviously know their business \u2026 They don\u2019t try to gouge the sellers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Tools<\/a>
Source: (Sneaky Elbow\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is there anything to gain from a DIY job?<\/h2>\n

Again, this depends on the type and size of project you\u2019re undertaking, as well as your own expertise. You might not see the need to hire a maintenance or remodeling contractor<\/a> to change out a light fixture<\/a> if you\u2019ve done that previously\u2014plus\u2026<\/p>\n

1. You could save as much as 35%.<\/h3>\n

Insurance company Nationwide notes that homeowners who act as their own general contractors can save as much as 35% of project costs<\/a>, including labor, materials, and appliance costs. (The Chicago Tribune<\/i> estimates similar savings of 10%-35%<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

That said, Home Inspector Experts of Hampton Bays, N.Y., recommends that if you have the ability, time, and know-how to take on a project yourself, don\u2019t skimp on materials<\/a>. Use the money you save from not hiring a contractor to invest in the right goods.<\/p>\n

2. You could learn the ropes of rehabbing, especially if you\u2019re an investor.<\/h3>\n

Interior designer Catherine Pondel told the Chicago Tribune<\/i> that she loved acting as the general contractor for her own remodeling project, where she managed a team of six workers<\/a>. She hired a firefighter who did construction in his off hours and hired specialists for electrical and plumbing work. \u201cI bought a teardown with charm and did it on a divorced woman\u2019s modest budget,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

3. You get direct supervision of any subcontractors.<\/h3>\n

Acting as your own general contractor means you\u2019ll also directly supervise any subcontractors, which might appeal to you if you have a hands-on personality and the ability to be on site<\/a> whenever something\u2019s installed.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll select who\u2019s right for the job based on your own research and referrals, plus select suppliers (review HomeLight\u2019s guide to assembling your home renovation dream team<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Be aware that you\u2019ll also have to check that they have the right insurance and warranties<\/a>, as well as know how to track their progress and pay everyone on time.<\/p>\n

Hire a contractor for these bigger projects<\/h2>\n

A general rule of thumb is that you\u2019ll want to hire a contractor or specialist for any issue that might crop up during a home inspection<\/a>. This includes:<\/p>\n