As the costs start to pile up, you may start to look at alternatives to some of your choices. One of the most common I’ve heard is “I plan on doing my own demo”. While I know it seems like something that doesn’t take much skill or knowledge, let’s look at some of the factors to consider.
Will I save money doing my own demolition?
Question posed by Matt on Instagram
Doing your own demo can potentially save you thousands of dollars. Here are a few factors to keep in mind before you unleash any pent up frustration from dinner with the In-Laws.
- Skill and Experience: Performing a successful demo requires technical skills, knowledge, and experience. If you have the necessary expertise in handling equipment and you understanding the process, doing it yourself can save you money. However, if you lack confidence or experience in this area, hiring a professional might be a better option.
- Equipment and Tools: My dad was a mechanic for 28 years and one of the things he always stressed was having the right tools can save you time, money, and keep you safe. Often contractors have special tools for removing certain types of flooring, capping plumbing, or safely working with electrical. Assess whether you already have access to these resources or if you will need to invest in them. Consider the costs associated with purchasing or renting the necessary equipment.
- Time Commitment: Conducting your own demo requires time and effort. Think about whether you can allocate sufficient time to plan, set up, and execute the demo effectively. Depending on the complexity of the demo, it might involve a significant amount of time. A small kitchen or bathroom will likely take around 1 to 2 days, but a full first floor may take someone without experience weeks. You’ll have to weigh the opportunity cost of your time versus hiring professionals to come and complete it quicker and safer.
- Age of Home: The age of your home will likely determine the materials it was made of and how it was constructed. Homes built before 1978 often used lead-based paint. Although this is unhealthy for us as adults, these chips or dust in the air, when inhaled or consumed by children, can be detrimental to their health and growth. Asbestos is another dangerous material to be aware of. There are professional certifications for removal of these hazardous materials to ensure you and your families health long-term.
- Safety: Between the nails, splintered wood, and shards of glass or stone, the demolition of a space is typically the most dangerous part of the process. Knowing demo techniques for safety and wearing proper safety equipment like steel-toe boots, protective eyewear, long jeans, and gloves can help protect you from any number of variables.
- Waste Removal: Many contractors use their own trailers or dumpster companies when they supply demo. If you are completing the demolition yourself, you may be in charge or hiring a waste removal company or removing the debris from your site not just during the demo phase, but throughout the entire project.
- Rework: Additional work caused by improper or incomplete demo is a thing that I often see when homeowners take on these projects. Imagine that pesky old tile backsplash isn’t coming out so you use your hammer to beat it out. If the contractor wasn’t planning to replace all of that drywall, you may be on the hook for additional work.
- Scope of Work: What you think is included in the demo process may vary from what your contractor does. Most homeowners only see the demo has removing items like the cabinetry, the flooring, the countertops, etc., but to your contractor it may mean cutting back and capping existing water lines, removing entire electrical systems, or load bearing walls. On top of the actual items to be removed, it also may mean installing plastic sheeting and partitioning off the space to contain dust migration. If they have a line item of $3,200 in there for demo and you think you would like to do that work yourself, make sure you know what’s included in that number.
The Consultant’s Thoughts
I often see how projects end up over budget. The decision to save money by doing your own demo or contracting out depends on various factors, including your budget, experience, and the size of the project. While DIY demos can offer cost savings and a sense of personal accomplishment, hiring professionals can provide efficiency, safety, and expertise. Ultimately, the choice should align with your specific project needs and your level of comfort with handling demolition work. Weigh the pros and cons carefully to ensure a successful and cost-effective outcome for your renovation or construction project.