Late in 2023, I made the decision to stay in my condo rather than move to a senior apartment and will be doing some remodeling this year. My question is should I hire a contractor or piece the jobs out myself? I have a contractor that I've used in the past for single jobs and was very happy with him. This is what I need to have done: Kitchen gut and remodel, not as big a deal as you might think as my kitchen is 8' X 10' New vanity top and frame the mirror in bathroom Finish the inside walls of a skylight Replace 5 ceiling light fixtures Add some electrical outlets Replace 2 outside lights which may require re-wiring Paint main bath and upstairs hall and all downstairs including fixing the crown moulding Writing it all out like that, I'm thinking contractor. What do you think?
It will likely be difficult to find individuals to do some of those smaller jobs. You might look for someone who advertises to be a handyman. I used one once to fasten some loose shingles on the roof. Most of the cost will be for their time including travel to and from. Look at it from their perspective. Since these jobs are not all related to one project (like the kitchen remodel), it may even be hard to find one contractor to do all of them. However, most people will do any job if you can convince them you will pay them enough to make it worth their while. Depends on how much you want to spend.
The man I used before started as a handyman and now has branched out, but he still advertises as doing small, handyman jobs, too. He'd be the only contractor I would use. Thanks for the suggestions.
We don't need a dad anymore--or a mom either. We have youtube!!! to teach us everything we need to know. Like replacing a thermostat. My daughter said her thermostat was on the fritz. I picked up a new one at our box store. But I don't want to walk through the snow and down the stairs after getting in off the deck. So I called the guy who just put in the new furnace. He said he would come but would bring his own thermostat. I was all ready to fight that I wanted the simple one I had picked. NOT a smart one. He assured me his was dumb. It seemed he didn't charge for it. Maybe he thought he should have checked the old one with the furnace installation. Sometimes contractors can be nice surprises.
I'd have a contractor handle all the construction & remodeling. But I'd have an electrician do anything that involves wiring. I just remodeled a bathroom & outdoor deck with lighting for both jobs. I had one contractor for everything. He hired his own electrician & plumber who didn't know what he was doing - to save money on the job & I had to have the wiring done again.