Home improvement: Do it yourself or contract the job?

When putting your home on the real estate market, getting it ready structurally and cosmetically can be a challenge. There are some projects that can be do-it-yourself, or DIY, and others are better left to an experienced contractor.

Becky Burghart, president of the Topeka Area Association of REALTORS, said when it comes to a DIY project, being honest with yourself is the best policy.

You have to ask yourself, what is my time worth? Do I have the skill level to do it? How much would it cost to hire a professional to do it? she said. They have to consider their time and whether they can do the job correctly. We (real estate agents) would prefer that any work that needs to be done be done by a professional because they have the knowledge and expertise to do the job correctly.

Burghart said she has a laundry list of items she looks at when getting a home ready to be put on the real estate market. She said the items she looks for are related to a homes appraised value - like a good roof, siding, gutters and the structural integrity of the house. When it comes to getting the home ready for inspection, the mechanical system upgrades like the plumbing, heating and cooling and electrical should be done by a professional contractor.

According to Remodeling Magazines 2011-2012 Cost versus Value report, the national average for return on a home remodeling investment was 57.7 percent. In the West North Central region, where Kansas is, the average return was 49.5 percent during the same time period.

Burghart said a homeowner can try to do some of the major upgrades but if a home inspection report states that a project was completed by the homeowner, a potential buyer can always ask for a professional to come in and check the work to make sure it was done properly.

You have to look at everything, she said. Most of the buyers today are looking for a home in move-in ready condition. (When making upgrades) you have to switch from being a homeowner to a homebuyer.

Burghart said kitchen and bathroom upgrades are always good to do before putting your home on the market because thats what buyers will look at first when going into a home. She said paint colors arent as much of a concern unless theyre particularly bold or bright in which case, shed suggest the color be toned down to a more neutral shade.

There are no two homes alike, Burghart said. Every situation we walk into is different. We just look at it like this house needs to be move-in ready today. We just want to make sure your house gets on the market.

In a recent article posted on MSNs Real Estate website, Sal Alfano, editorial director for Remodeling Magazine, said the cost of remodeling projects has dropped 10 to 15-percent in the past five years nationwide.

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Home improvement: Do it yourself or contract the job?