Before you do anything else, you have to decide if you are going to undertake your basement renovations yourself or hire a contractor. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. A basement finishing project can require a huge commitment of time and money, particularly since you want it done correctly the first time. Here are four benefits of hiring a contractor for your basement finishing project rather than attempting to do it yourself:

Safety

When looking at any DIY home renovation project, you must ask yourself if it can be accomplished safely.

Safety on a construction site depends on many factors, including having the knowledge, safety equipment, and enough assistance to complete the project safely. Trying to hang drywall by yourself, for example, will require you to move, position, and hold a load between 50 and 70 pounds for each panel. Even if you have no pre-existing medical conditions, this is a lot to undertake. And keep in mind that falls are the number one cause of emergency room visits in the United States. If you are not an experienced builder, one wrong step on a ladder or scaffold can land you in the hospital.

Moreover, your construction must meet building codes and should embody construction best practices. These are not merely technocratic burdens. The earliest known written building code was created nearly four thousand years ago in the Code of Hammurabi. These codes are intended to reduce the risk of fire, electrocution, sewer backups, gas leaks, and other highly dangerous conditions. Even thousands of years later, modern construction recognizes the importance of meeting code regulations.

If your basement remodel includes a gas fireplace, for example, you will need to safely install a gas appliance and wire the igniter into your electrical system. A mistake in either one of those steps can have catastrophic consequences, both to your house and the surrounding area.

Contractors, on the other hand, are trained in the regulations and building industry practices that keep you and your family safe. If the project cannot be done safely on your own, you should consider hiring a professional to turn your ideas into reality.

Flooding

Basements and basement flooding go hand-in-hand. Many basements in Colorado are below the water table and must be sealed before finishing. Failure to take steps to prevent basement flooding can cause more than the inconvenience of cleaning up the occasional puddle. Long term water damage can be costly to repair, particularly if it gives rise to mold spores in your carpet and drywall.

If your unfinished basement has signs of water leaks, such as wet pipes, you may want to consult a basement contractor to determine the best way to protect your finished basement from water damage.

Cost

You might believe that you can save money by finishing your basement yourself. However, there are a few reasons this might not be true.

• If you make a mistake, the cost of redoing your basement remodel might far exceed the cost of doing it correctly the first time.
• Contractors have existing relationships with materials suppliers who often give contractors a price break for buying in bulk.
• Building construction requires tools. If you do not already have the tools, you will likely spend several hundred, if not thousands, of dollars buying or renting tools and trailers for your basement remodeling project.

Experience

One invaluable benefit of hiring a contractor for your basement remodeling project is the contractor’s experience. If you are looking for a basement wet bar Colorado Springs installer, you will likely find a contractor who has done dozens of them.

This experience can save you time and money in the long run over attempting to do it yourself. If you explain your vision to a contractor, he or she may even have a creative solution that is better than your plans.

There are significant benefits to hiring a contractor for your basement remodel. Safety, flood control, and cost are the most visible benefits. However, the greatest benefit may be the experience a contractor brings to your project. Rely on ElkStone Homes to give you the basement remodel you’ve always wanted.