You Bought the House. Now Who Do You Trust to Fix It?

Buying the house is one thing. Figuring out who you can trust to work on it is another. Whether you purchased a home that needs immediate repairs or you simply have a list of updates you want to tackle over time, eventually you may find yourself searching for contractors, requesting estimates, deciding which projects should happen first, and wondering whether you could save some money by doing a few things yourself.

Unlike the homebuying process, where you may have a real estate agent, lender, inspector, and other professionals guiding you toward closing, managing repairs and renovations can feel much less structured. There isn't always an obvious person telling you who to call first or what questions you should be asking. You don't need to become a rehab expert, but understanding a few parts of the process can help you make more informed decisions before the work begins.

Start With the Right Person for the Job

A recommendation from a friend or a good online review can be a great place to start, but it shouldn't necessarily be where your research ends. The person who did a great job painting your friend's house may not be the person you want handling a more complicated bathroom renovation. Start by considering the actual work you need completed and whether the contractor or company has experience doing that type of project. Look at reviews and examples of previous work, ask for references when appropriate, and for projects that require licensing or insurance, verify that information before work begins.

It can also be helpful to speak with more than one person about a project. Getting multiple estimates is often discussed as a way to compare prices, but price isn't the only information you gain from the process. Different contractors may approach the same project differently. One may notice something another didn't, explain the work in greater detail, or raise a question you hadn't considered. The lowest estimate may ultimately be the right choice, but choosing the right person involves understanding more than the number at the bottom of the page.

Understand What the Estimate Actually Covers

An estimate might say something as simple as “install tub surround,” and at first glance, that can sound clear. But what exactly does that include? Does the price cover removing the existing surround, disposing of the old materials, installing the new one, and repairing anything underneath? What happens if the existing surround comes down and there is damage behind it?

I recently encountered this with a project on one of my own properties. Once an existing tub surround was removed, additional damage was discovered that wasn't part of the original scope of work. Another contractor ultimately had to be brought in to address the damage before the project could move forward. It was a good example of why understanding what an estimate includes can matter just as much as knowing how much the project is expected to cost.

That doesn't mean a contractor should be expected to predict every issue before beginning a project. Sometimes there is simply no way to know what is behind a wall, underneath flooring, or beneath an existing fixture until it is removed. There is also nothing inherently wrong with an estimate being relatively short. The important thing is whether you understand what the contractor has agreed to do and where the scope of that work ends. If an estimate says “repair wall,” “replace flooring,” or “install tub surround,” and you're not sure what that includes, ask. A simple question such as, “What exactly is included in this price?” can give you a much clearer understanding of what you're agreeing to before the project begins.

Think About What Should Be Done First

If your home needs several projects, it can be tempting to start with whatever you're most excited to change. The dated flooring may bother you every time you walk through the door, you may already have paint colors saved, or that bathroom may have been on your renovation list since the first showing. However, the project you're most excited about may not always be the project that makes the most sense to complete first.

Before beginning, look at the house and your project list as a whole. Consider whether one repair could affect another project later. If plumbing or electrical work will require opening a wall, for example, it probably makes sense to address that before paying someone to finish and paint the same wall. Necessary repairs and issues involving major systems may also need to take priority over cosmetic improvements. There isn't one renovation order that applies to every house, so this is also an area where the professionals you're hiring can be helpful. If you have several projects planned, ask whether anything needs to happen before their portion of the work begins. Thinking through the sequence ahead of time may help you avoid paying to undo or redo finished work later.

Decide Whether DIY Actually Makes Sense

Not every item on your project list necessarily requires hiring someone. Painting, replacing cabinet hardware, installing shelving, and other cosmetic updates may be reasonable DIY projects depending on your skill level and comfort. Taking on some work yourself can also allow you to put more of your renovation budget toward projects where professional expertise matters most.

However, DIY isn't automatically the less expensive option simply because you aren't paying someone for labor. You still have to account for materials, tools, your time, and the possibility of having to pay someone to correct the work if the project doesn't go as planned. Before deciding to take something on yourself, think about whether you know how to do it or can reasonably learn, whether the project involves safety concerns or specialized knowledge, how much time it will realistically take, and how costly a mistake could be. Painting a bedroom and attempting electrical or major plumbing work are very different decisions.

There is also value in being realistic about how you want to spend your time. You may technically be capable of completing a project yourself and still decide that hiring someone is worth the cost. On the other hand, there may be smaller projects where spending a weekend doing the work yourself makes perfect sense. DIY doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing approach to renovating your home.

You Don't Have to Be a Contractor to Ask Good Questions

Most homeowners aren't going to understand their homes at the same level as the professionals they hire, nor should they be expected to. The goal isn't to learn every construction term or be able to diagnose every problem yourself. It is to understand enough about the work being proposed to make thoughtful decisions about your home and your money.

Before work begins, make sure you understand who you're hiring, what they've agreed to do, what is included in the price, and whether there are other projects that should happen first. When something isn't clear, ask another question. When you aren't comfortable with an answer, get another opinion. And when you're deciding whether to tackle something yourself, consider more than how much money you might save.

At She Builds Equity, we believe homeownership is about more than getting to the closing table. Part of building wealth through homeownership is learning how to make informed decisions about the asset after the keys are yours. You don't have to become a rehab expert to do that, but you should feel comfortable asking questions and understanding the work you're paying for. Buying the home may be the beginning of building equity; knowing how to care for it is part of protecting it.