Needing a Plumber? – DIY or Through a Contractor?

Even people who aren’t particularly handy often find it difficult to resist browsing the aisles of hardware stores. It can be a very educational experience whether you ever intend to attempt a DIY project or not.

There are now so many home shows and fairs to attend, not to mention the lineup of TV shows with projects for home and garden, that it’s hard to avoid catching the bug of inspiration to get started on a bit of home improvement.

The Moment of Truth

You spot a display of enticingly shiny, clean towel bars, toilet paper holders and other matching accessories and begin to imagine how much better they would look if it weren’t for the old, leaky sink faucet with the broken handle.

The new faucets are lovely, too, although they would make it hard to ignore the ugly sink that is stained, chipped or cracked. Not to worry, says the sign, “we can have someone install it for you.”

This would add to the cost, of course, but aren’t you saving a ton o’ money by buying the fixtures yourself at a bargain price? You might be.

Plastic is a wonderful thing for many applications, like water pipes, and the right plastic items can offer durability, light weight, affordable price and ease of use. However plastic is often not as durable and reliable when it is used for working parts inside of other things like faucets or valves.

Finding Real Savings

Many manufacturers make their products in a number of grades and it does generally cost more to buy high quality items. One way to get a grip on different quality levels is to do online comparison shopping, where you can often see items that won’t typically be offered at the local hardware or big box store.

You will often see that quality plumbing parts and fixtures have much longer warranties and you can compare the different materials used to make them. In many cases, the labor cost for installation is about the same, regardless of the quality of the item being installed.

By adding together the cost of the item and the labor to install it, then dividing by the number of years you expect the item to last, you get a more realistic estimate of the actual cost comparison between different items. Remember that cheaper items with plastic parts will rarely last as long as quality items, which may have a lifetime guarantee.

Also consider that there are a number of places that offer free or low cost classes on home improvement. If you can do relatively simple jobs yourself, it may make sense to buy a lower priced item and just enjoy the upgraded appearance for a couple of years if you are planning to either move or do a major remodel later.

Online shopping can help you get a better idea of all the items and quality levels available and reach a realistic decision on how much you need to pay for the performance you expect, even if you decide to go for the lower or mid price models available locally. These can make your home more livable and enjoyable until you either move or decide to finally upgrade that kitchen or bath to the room of your dreams.

If you will be paying for installation and expect the item to last five years or more, discuss the price of ordering higher quality items yourself with your plumbing contractor to determine which purchasing method will give you a better price overall.