(No Ratings Yet)

Do-It-Yourself vs. Hiring a Professional

Posted by J.S.

June 26, 2008

Over the years, my business partner and I have done more do-it-yourself type projects when restoring houses then most people do in a lifetime. We have gained immeasurable experience in the process.

One of those lessons is when to do it our selves and when not to bother trying. There are some projects that are simply best left to the professionals. Installing various types of stone countertops and floors definitely falls into the category of hiring a professional.

While attempting to install a beautiful island top made of granite, we cracked it. Although we were meticulous in the choosing, preparing for shipping, moving it and placing it perfectly on the awaiting kitchen island, we missed a step. We had not properly reinforced the cabinetry and frame that would be holding up the heavy piece of granite.

Our error was an expensive one. Apparently, it was also not an uncommon one. We had installed countertops and kitchen islands before; therefore, we truly did not understand where we had gone wrong on that particular project.

We were fortunate in finding a local contractor who dealt with such mistakes as the one we had made. His team came in, lifted the granite and made the appropriate changes necessary for the cabinets and frame to hold such a heavy piece of stone. He even managed to save that piece of granite for us.

When the granite cracked, it did not break through completely. He transported the island top back to his workshop and worked his magic. By the time it was reinstalled, this time correctly, the crack was imperceptible.

It was a hard learned, expensive lesson. However, we have since learned that there are some projects that even the most proficient do-it-yourselfers should not attempt on their own.

Laying travertine tile is another one of those “leave it to the professionals” jobs. We have laid tile many times. It is an arduous job but one that we actually enjoy. The pleasure derived when one sees his/her hard work beautifully completely is indescribable. Nevertheless, there are some projects that are less expensive in the long run when you call the professionals in the first place.

Travertine tile is one of the more frequently used materials for flooring in the southwestern portion of the United States. It is beautiful, sturdy, and blends perfectly into the desert living lifestyle. Travertine can be found indoors and in the outdoor rooms as well.

Travertine, prior to installation, is as exacting and unforgiving as it is beautiful. Cutting it requires a skill level as well as stone cutting tools that the average do-it-yourselfer simply does not possess. After years of settling, it is not uncommon for a floor to no longer be true or completely leveled. A flaw in the leveling will cause a travertine tile installation to become a nightmare for the non-professional. Travertine cannot be “propped” as some other tile types can be to level it out. Without a firm, solid, level surface beneath it, it will break.

When deciding which projects you will tackle yourself and which ones to call in the professionals for, try to remember there is a reason they are called professionals.