DIY Roof Repairs for Homeowners
Should You Hire a Builder to Put Together Your Granny Flat DIY Kit?
Fernando Silva
One of the quickest and most affordable methods of building a granny flat annex is to buy a DIY flat-pack kit. Although these kits are designed to be put together as a do-it-yourself job, you may be concerned that you're not up to the task and should enlist the help of a builder. There are good reasons for and against this course of action. Here are some tips to help you decide.
The pros
Firstly, even a flat-pack kit can be a daunting prospect to put together, and the guidance of a professional builder will ensure there are no mistakes. Some aspects of the build are also vital to get right for safety reasons. If you do not correctly attach the fixings to tie down the roof, for instance, the granny flat will not be stormproof. There may also be local building regulations that you will need to take into account, particularly if you live near the ocean or in an area prone to bushfires. Even if you want to do most of the work yourself, having a builder to guide you will avoid costly mistakes.
It is also worth remembering that any plumbing or electrical work will have to be done by a qualified and licensed professional in any case. If you honestly believe your skills aren't up to the job of constructing the flat, hiring a builder will be the safest option.
The cons
On the other hand, the whole point of a DIY kit is to avoid having to use a builder. The most obvious objection would be the expense - hiring professionals will massively increase the cost of the project. One of the biggest advantages of a flat-pack granny flat is that it is such a cheap way of building, so keeping expenses to a minimum is likely to be an important consideration.
Hiring a builder can also increase the amount of time it will take. DIY granny flats can be put up in days and in some cases even hours, but if you are dependent on a builder you will be running to their timetable. If they are unable to come to the site for a couple of weeks, you will just have to wait.
As a compromise, your supplier may provide help with the building anyway, and they will certainly be able to give advice on the construction. Whatever you decide, make sure you take advantage of any help and resources your supplier has to offer.
Speak to a contractor to learn more about granny flat kits.
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Hi, welcome to my blog. My name is Tammy. A few years ago, my husband and I invested in a very old house. It was in a lovely location, but it needed a lot of love and attention. One of the biggest repair jobs was the roof. I had never climbed onto a roof before, but once I got up there, I loved it. My husband and I carried out DIY repair work and completely re-roofed the property. Since then, I have enjoyed carrying out maintenance work to keep the roof in excellent condition. I started this blog to share my knowledge about roofing with other people who might be in a similar situation.