Should You Build Your Own Addition?

One of the most enjoyable things about owning your home (at least for some people) is the ability to do whatever you want with it. 

As HGTV and other networks show new homeowners taking down walls, building  amazing open floor plans, and adding life to their home, there may be other factors you will want to consider before joining their ranks.

Home renovations are considered one of the most stressful times in a person's life by certain physiological experts. In fact, divorces, marital issues, anxiety related sicknesses, and more can stem from building your own addition.

This does not mean you shouldn't try to skip the contractor and take on a new life experience, but consider these factors first:

• Time. Do you have enough of it? If it takes a contractor who does it day in and day out 3 months to build an addition doing it 40 hours a week, how long will it take you if you try to do it nights and weekends?
• Skill. This seems obvious, but not always so much. Almost everyone overestimates their skills in life. Think about how many of your friends think they are above average drivers. Or how many people think they know how to fix other people's problems - but not their own. Seriously step back and take a look at your skill level, and maybe start on a smaller project first.
• Money. But wait, doesn't building it yourself SAVE you money? Well, yes and no. If you take 2 weeks off of work to do something that a contractor could have done in 3 days, for most people, that is not a good return on investment. In fact, most lose money. Then there is the matter of a home inspection. If a home inspector finds issues when you sell your home, then you would end up paying a contractor to come and fix it anyways.
  

If you have the time, skill, and funds - then go for it? Whatever you decide though, be sure to seriously consider it first.

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