Do it yourself..Or Don’t

By Craig Ryan

With the current recession slowing the pace of the economy, the Federal government is offering you money back to improve your home. The home renovation tax credit is your chance to refinish and renew, and that can payoff in the future. Real estate agencies predict significant returns on these investments if you’re ever interested in selling.

%100 – %110 return on bathroom and kitchen renovations
%100 returns on paint
%70 return on flooring and other renovations

But the question is, who will do the work? If you don’t like to get your hands dirty, contractors can come in handy, but make sure you know what you’re paying for. John Gonkwicz says, “You can check his credentials, make sure he’s licensed. Better Business Bureau is something that you could check on to make sure everything is in order and his papers, and that he’s basically reputable, that he’s going to do the job you want done.”

Contractors have many advantages, including knowledge of building codes, the speed of experience and the price of bulk material purchases. But there are resources available to the do-it-yourself handyman that give you the materials, the knowledge and the equipment that you might need.

Doing the work yourself can be rewarding. You can gain valuable experience in painting, plumbing and other useful trades, plus the job will always be done exactly the way you want. Retail outlets like Rona and the Home Depot offer workshops that can help you on your way to a new bathroom, kitchen or bedroom. Don’t think about it for too long though, because the home renovation tax credit expires on February 1st, 2010.