I’m relatively handy, but I’ve never done something on the down-to-the-studs scale before. Should I go for it?
Pros:
Way cheaper
I learn some new skills, which will pay dividends for the rest of my life
Pride when it’s done
Con:
Probably take a long time
Will certainly have moments of major frustration
Might realize I’m in over my head and wife kills me
Can I remodel a kitchen and bathroom myself?
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How major of a remodel? Are you going to just be installing new cabinets, appliances, and flooring or relocating everything, too (meaning moving lots of plumbing, electrical, and gas lines), adding custom built-ins, knocking down walls, etc.?
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If you do not care about it looking cheap, it is not hard to do a renovation. The key is that you will have to use prefab cabinets. The carpentry involved with custom cabinetry is way over the DIY-er's head. And you will need to hire a plumber to do gas lines. That is one you do not want to DIY and may need a licensed trade to get permitted. Countertops is another one that you will have to farm out.
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THere is a learning curve so my first question is how old are you?
Understand that you will need to invest: Time, money in tools and some left over materials, and some more time.
If you are early in your years, it may pay off, but if not, is it how you want to spend your time for limited gain?
I started early and it has paid off, but i don't mind doing the work.
Understand that most jobs can be done cheaper by doing it yourself, but when you figure in the tools you had to buy or just upgrade because you want to, and there's almost always some, the savings margin is cut way down.
I saved a fortune doing it myself but i like doing that kind of stuff and still do projects and build things as a past time just because i like it. -
seattle prattle wrote:
THere is a learning curve so my first question is how old are you?
Understand that you will need to invest: Time, money in tools and some left over materials, and some more time.
If you are early in your years, it may pay off, but if not, is it how you want to spend your time for limited gain?
I started early and it has paid off, but i don't mind doing the work.
Understand that most jobs can be done cheaper by doing it yourself, but when you figure in the tools you had to buy or just upgrade because you want to, and there's almost always some, the savings margin is cut way down.
I saved a fortune doing it myself but i like doing that kind of stuff and still do projects and build things as a past time just because i like it.
I’m mid-30s. Similar to you, I enjoy working on stuff, do a lot of smaller projects in my spare time. That’s why I’m considering it. I do have a young child, which is a consideration against attempting it myself...it would be hard living in a house under construction with a toddler running around. I know people do it though. -
non-fatty wrote:
seattle prattle wrote:
THere is a learning curve so my first question is how old are you?
Understand that you will need to invest: Time, money in tools and some left over materials, and some more time.
If you are early in your years, it may pay off, but if not, is it how you want to spend your time for limited gain?
I started early and it has paid off, but i don't mind doing the work.
Understand that most jobs can be done cheaper by doing it yourself, but when you figure in the tools you had to buy or just upgrade because you want to, and there's almost always some, the savings margin is cut way down.
I saved a fortune doing it myself but i like doing that kind of stuff and still do projects and build things as a past time just because i like it.
I’m mid-30s. Similar to you, I enjoy working on stuff, do a lot of smaller projects in my spare time. That’s why I’m considering it. I do have a young child, which is a consideration against attempting it myself...it would be hard living in a house under construction with a toddler running around. I know people do it though.
Yeah, I did my kitchen before having our child. I mean, that's a big one and I would have had to had to get the buy in from the significant other in a major way before going there if child responsibilities were involved. Bathreoom, too. Hell, just putting up with a contractor doing the work - i've seen that wreck marriages.
I have friends in the trades and one thing they do is hire out the drywall in that it is heavy, really burns you up, and can be done really fast by those in the know. That said, i used to do that work and did mine myself.
It's a really personal thing, and people approach it differently. Even now that i can afford to hire it out, i almost never do.
Maybe considering just doing part of your renov. Also, the luxury of a second bathroom is really nice if you have it during the remodel.
Good luck. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. -
Kitchen yes
Bathroom no.
If you just replace all cabinets and you don't have to redo plumbing or walls, Kitchens are not that difficult. I highly recommend IKEA kitchens, they are the best bang for the buck and why higher quality what you get from big box or normal kitchen installers.
This guy has some good videos about it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-H3SczRL7s
Bathrooms are advanced DIY I would say. I wouldn't do it myself. But also here there are plenty of videos out there. You probably have to pull a permit for that. -
Most of it is pretty easy to do, including gas pipes. Don't even consider pulling permits, just do the work and keep schtum...
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non-fatty wrote:
I’m relatively handy, but I’ve never done something on the down-to-the-studs scale before. Should I go for it?
Pros:
Way cheaper
I learn some new skills, which will pay dividends for the rest of my life
Pride when it’s done
Con:
Probably take a long time
Will certainly have moments of major frustration
Might realize I’m in over my head and wife kills me
My ex is an interior designer (not decorator---there is a difference). A friend talked about doing this and she noted that you are talking about a lot of time so what is that worth? Trading off going out with friends versus working on the remodel. Then you are going to screw stuff up so that is going to cost you time and money to correct.
Depending on what you are going to do make sure your changes are up to code. If not when you go to sell the house it might be an issue.
My ex would also say that the handyman that you bring in in a few months will make the real money...
One option is to work with a contractor and decide what you can do and what you should outsource. We finished a basement and were able to do some things ourselves like priming and painting the dry wall. We thought about hanging the dry wall ourselves as we had done that in the garage and then decided that our DIY job in the garage was fine but that for a room we were going to spend a lot of time in and have to look at was not worth it. -
Doesn't it all boil down to time and expectations?
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Yes. You can do it!!
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Yes, you can watch a lot of YouTube vids and figure out most things, but it's good to have a knowledgeable friend to consult. Inevitably, you'll face a situation and not be sure what to do.
It's rewarding to do it yourself. I've never worked with concrete or brick but built a huge wall in my backyard because at the time we didn't have much spare money. I hired a brick layer to pour the footing and lay the first course, but I did everythingn else myself. I can look at it and see a few minor imperfections, but it's a great sense of pride to look at that big wall and know I did that myself. -
Old and slow wrote:
Most of it is pretty easy to do, including gas pipes. Don't even consider pulling permits, just do the work and keep schtum...
No permits? What happens when trying to sell a house which has improvements without permits? -
Cucina wrote:
Old and slow wrote:
Most of it is pretty easy to do, including gas pipes. Don't even consider pulling permits, just do the work and keep schtum...
No permits? What happens when trying to sell a house which has improvements without permits?
You just won't sell the house. Pay the fine, get a permit and fix the problem.
It's a pretty straight forward process. -
DIYourselfer wrote:
Cucina wrote:
Old and slow wrote:
Most of it is pretty easy to do, including gas pipes. Don't even consider pulling permits, just do the work and keep schtum...
No permits? What happens when trying to sell a house which has improvements without permits?
You just won't sell the house. Pay the fine, get a permit and fix the problem.
It's a pretty straight forward process.
The first house I ever owned I put in ceiling light fixtures in the bedrooms. No permit was pulled, never even was a question when I sold it. I replaced every window in one house no permit no problem when selling. Ive put in sheds (supposed to be permitted), gas firepits, built-in gas grills and never pulled a permit for those either.
Nowadays, though, if I were looking to buy a house I'd go online to the city's permit site and check every 'upgrade' done for permits. I wouldn't care about the work done I'd just use the info to get a better price. That would have been difficult to do 15 or 20 years ago. -
DIYourselfer wrote:
Kitchen yes
Bathroom no.
If you just replace all cabinets and you don't have to redo plumbing or walls, Kitchens are not that difficult. I highly recommend IKEA kitchens, they are the best bang for the buck and why higher quality what you get from big box or normal kitchen installers.
This guy has some good videos about it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-H3SczRL7s
Bathrooms are advanced DIY I would say. I wouldn't do it myself. But also here there are plenty of videos out there. You probably have to pull a permit for that.
This guy basically finished my basement for me. I watched so many of his videos, he taught me to frame, drywall, trim. Turned out perfect. I didn't do the bathroom, yet, but I'm sure I'll watch a lot of how-to videos as I go. -
The hardest part is the demolition and removal of the cabinets and countertops. If you have a cast iron/porcelain bathtub that’s not in bad shape keep it. Plastic tubs and shower surround are crap. Tile is much nicer. Getting rid of the tub is not easy because it’s heavy. If you decide to take a sledge to it then do it in the bathroom. The cleanup is easier and you don’t have to wrestle the tub out of the house.
Don’t get permits. That just tells the taxman that they can increase the value of your home.
I just finished one kitchen and am in the middle of another. I’m also about to start a bathroom.
Gas lines aren’t any harder than plumbing. Just remember to use a soap solution on all gas connections to check for leaks.
Use pex A if you are running new water lines. It’s so much easier than hard plumbing lines.
Good luck -
Cucina wrote:
Old and slow wrote:
Most of it is pretty easy to do, including gas pipes. Don't even consider pulling permits, just do the work and keep schtum...
No permits? What happens when trying to sell a house which has improvements without permits?
Some areas don't require permits. Generally you can replace what is already there, but if making a certain amount of changes, then a permit is required. -
Old and slow wrote:
Most of it is pretty easy to do, including gas pipes. Don't even consider pulling permits, just do the work and keep schtum...
Agreed. First step you want to do is find that gas line and start hitting it with a sludge hammer until you can break it open. Then rip out all the bathroom stuff without turning off water -
highly experienced renovator wrote:
Old and slow wrote:
Most of it is pretty easy to do, including gas pipes. Don't even consider pulling permits, just do the work and keep schtum...
Agreed. First step you want to do is find that gas line and start hitting it with a sludge hammer until you can break it open. Then rip out all the bathroom stuff without turning off water
And after all that fine work, have a cigarette break.
