Why Some Renovations Should Always Be Done by Professionals
Which renovations need a licensed pro and why: permits, structural work, electrical, gas, plumbing, asbestos and lead, plus every DIY-vs-pro guide.
Author
Ryan
Ryan writes Home Remodel Guidance's planning guides: the order of a remodel, permits, contracts, budgets and contingencies, room-by-room renovations, and which jobs a homeowner can do versus which need a licensed trade.
Ryan has written most of Home Remodel Guidance, covering a renovation from first plan to final inspection: the sequence of work, permits and inspections, contracts and change orders, contingency budgets, financing and insurance, and guides for kitchens, bathrooms, additions and home systems. His DIY-versus-professional guides separate the jobs a careful homeowner can take on from those that need a licensed electrician, plumber or engineer. Guides on this site cite their sources and are updated when the facts change.
Articles by Ryan
How to Collaborate with Contractors for Best Results
How to be a good client on a remodel: set roles, make decisions on time, prepare the site, pay as agreed and keep changes in writing.
How the Pandemic Changed Home Renovation Priorities
How COVID-19 changed remodeling: record spending, a DIY surge, home offices, multigenerational living and air quality, using Harvard JCHS and Census data.
Garage Renovation Ideas: Storage, Floors, Safety and Layout
Plan a garage renovation that works: zones, storage, floors, lighting and the fire-separation, carbon monoxide and fuel-storage rules that keep it safe.
