Mastering Your Home Renovation: The Pros and Cons of Being Your Own General Contractor

Welcome to this insightful episode where we delve deep into the world of home renovations, specifically addressing the pivotal decision of whether to undertake the role of your own general contractor. Having navigated this path in the past – notably with our successful garage to living space remodel at our previous residence – we initially considered enlisting a professional for our current, more extensive project. However, circumstances, and perhaps a touch of our inherent DIY spirit, have led us back to donning the contractor’s hat once more. This episode will meticulously break down the positives and negatives of hiring a general contractor versus managing your remodeling project yourself, a choice heavily influenced by your budget, the scale of your ambitions, and your personal bandwidth.

Beyond the primary discussion, we’ll share exciting updates from our ongoing farmhouse fixer project, celebrating a significant goal that has officially been checked off our list! As the seasons shift, we also bring you my top six indispensable recipes for canning or freezing, perfect for preserving the bounty of September. And as always, we’ll round off with our “Cool Things” segment, featuring Brian’s thrilling experience surfing in the rugged waters of Oregon and a surprisingly simple yet highly effective technique to finally get that elusive writing project d.o.n.e.

For those eager to dive into the full conversation, you can easily download this episode from popular podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. Alternatively, you can listen directly on your computer using the player embedded below. This page serves as your comprehensive guide, providing all the links, notes, and photos discussed in the episode. Note: If you are reading this in a feed reader, you may need to click through to the original post to access the audio player.

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The Ultimate Guide to Being Your Own General Contractor for Home Remodeling

Being your own general contractor for a significant home renovation or remodeling project is a decision that homeowners often weigh with a mix of excitement and considerable trepidation. Our own journey, particularly with the transformation of our previous home’s garage into a vibrant and functional living space, provided us with invaluable hands-on experience and a realistic understanding of the demands involved. While the prospect of tackling an even larger undertaking led us to initially consider hiring a professional general contractor for our current project, circumstances and a careful re-evaluation of our options ultimately steered us back to managing the renovation ourselves. So far, this decision has proven incredibly beneficial, allowing us to save approximately two-thirds of the cost compared to our highest foundation bid!

The allure of saving a substantial portion of the project cost is often the primary driver for many DIY enthusiasts considering acting as their own contractor. This financial benefit is undeniable, as you effectively eliminate the general contractor’s markup, which typically ranges from 10% to 20% (or more) of the total project cost. Beyond the monetary savings, taking on the role yourself grants you unparalleled control over every facet of the project. You get to handpick every subcontractor, meticulously choose all materials, dictate the project timeline, and ensure that every detail aligns perfectly with your vision. This level of involvement can lead to immense personal satisfaction and a deep understanding of your home’s construction.

However, this path is not without its significant challenges, demanding a rigorous commitment of time, effort, and continuous learning. As your own contractor, you assume full responsibility for project management, which includes everything from obtaining necessary permits and scheduling inspections to coordinating tradespeople and managing the budget. You become the central point of contact, mediating between various professionals, solving unexpected problems that inevitably arise, and ensuring that all work adheres to local building codes and quality standards. This can be a steep learning curve, requiring a keen eye for detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to troubleshoot under pressure. The stress of managing multiple moving parts, combined with the potential for unforeseen delays and complications, can be substantial.

When considering whether to hire a professional general contractor, the benefits are clear. A seasoned GC brings a wealth of experience, an established network of reliable subcontractors, and a deep understanding of construction processes. They handle the permits, scheduling, site management, and problem-solving, essentially streamlining the entire process for you. This convenience comes at a cost, but it can save you significant time and emotional energy, mitigating many of the risks associated with self-contracting. For complex projects, or for homeowners with limited time or construction experience, a general contractor often represents a worthwhile investment, ensuring a smoother, more efficient, and potentially less stressful renovation.

Ultimately, the choice hinges on several critical factors: your budget, the amount of time you can realistically dedicate, your comfort level with project management, and the overall complexity of the renovation itself. For a detailed exploration of these considerations and to help you form your own pros and cons list, we highly recommend this insightful article from The Spruce: Should You Be Your Own Contractor?

Farmhouse Updates: Progress on Our Renovation Journey

Witnessing the completion of a major structural component, like our new foundation, is always a monumental milestone in any construction project. As you can see from the image above, the foundation work is now fully finished and has successfully passed inspection! This achievement validates countless hours of meticulous planning and hard work, solidifying the base for the next phases of our renovation. With this critical step behind us, our focus now shifts to the essential stages of grading around the perimeter to ensure proper drainage, followed by the installation of the siding, which will truly begin to define the exterior aesthetic of our farmhouse.

1. **Foundation Complete and Inspected:** We are thrilled to report that our new foundation is not only built but has also received its final stamp of approval from the local inspectors. This marks a massive accomplishment and provides a solid base for everything that follows.
2. **Bedroom Extension Permit Pending:** The anticipation surrounding the pending permit for our bedroom extension adds an exciting element of suspense to our project. We’re eagerly awaiting approval so we can break ground on expanding our living space, bringing us closer to our dream farmhouse layout.
3. **The Mystery of the Two Doors Solved:** One of the most engaging segments of our podcast often involves listener interaction, and the discussion around “the two doors” was no exception. We received some truly imaginative and fascinating responses from our listeners regarding their theories on the purpose of these unique architectural features. Be sure to listen to the episode to hear these intriguing ideas and discover the actual purpose – it’s an interesting reveal that highlights how different people perceive space and function!

What’s Cooking: Preserving the Abundance of September

September, with its bountiful harvests, particularly of sun-ripened tomatoes and late-season vegetables, is an ideal time to stock your pantry with delicious, homemade preserves. There’s an incredible satisfaction that comes from enjoying the flavors of summer long into the colder months, and these recipes are designed to help you do just that. Whether you’re a seasoned canner or just starting, these six recipes offer incredible taste and practicality for extending your harvest. Click through to each link for detailed tutorials and ingredients:

• **My Favorite Thick & Flavorful Salsa for Canning** (complete with tutorial): This fan-favorite salsa is incredibly versatile, perfect for spicing up meals throughout the colder months. Its robust flavor and satisfying texture make it a staple in our pantry.
• **Addictive Tomato Chutney**: A unique blend of sweet, savory, and tangy, this chutney adds an exotic and gourmet touch to cheeses, grilled meats, or sandwiches. It’s surprisingly easy to make and utterly delicious.
• **Garden Harvest Roasted Tomato Sauce**: Capturing the concentrated essence of garden-fresh tomatoes, this versatile sauce is excellent for pastas, as a base for soups, or for enhancing numerous other dishes throughout the year.
• **Balsamic Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce**: The natural sweetness of cherry tomatoes combined with the rich tang of balsamic vinegar creates a vibrant, freezer-friendly sauce that’s bursting with complex flavors. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
• **Roasted Tomatillo or Green Tomato Salsa**: For those who appreciate a brighter, zestier flavor profile, this salsa offers a delightful alternative to traditional red tomato salsas, whether you choose to can or freeze it.
• **Home Canned Pizza Sauce**: Elevate your homemade pizzas with this robust and perfectly seasoned sauce. Having a stash of this on hand makes homemade pizza night incredibly convenient and infinitely more delicious.

This is Really Cool! Discoveries and Life Hacks

Life is full of wonderful discoveries, both big and small, and in this segment, Brian and Jami share two experiences that brought them particular joy and utility:

Brian’s Cool Thing: First Surfing Lesson on the Oregon Coast
Few experiences rival the sheer exhilaration and pure joy of riding the ocean waves for the very first time, especially when shared with family. Brian recently had his first surfing lesson, alongside our daughter, and it was an absolute blast! The rugged beauty of the Oregon coast provided an unforgettable backdrop for this adventure, creating lasting memories. For anyone in the area looking to try their hand at surfing, the shop where they received their lessons, Pura Vida Surf Shop, comes highly recommended. It’s located in the charming community of Otter Rock, Oregon, known for its beautiful, beginner-friendly beach. Their instructors were fantastic, making the learning experience both fun and accessible.

Jami’s Cool Thing: The “Kitchen Timer” Writing Technique for Productivity
For anyone grappling with procrastination or struggling to initiate a creative project, Jami’s latest productivity hack offers a simple yet profoundly effective solution. Inspired by Lauren Graham’s insightful book, “Talking As Fast As I Can,” this method is known as the “Kitchen Timer” writing technique. The premise is elegantly straightforward: commit to working on a task, no matter how daunting, for a short, predetermined period—typically 15-20 minutes—with a timer set. The brilliance of this method lies in its ability to break down overwhelming tasks into manageable chunks, circumventing the initial psychological resistance that often accompanies large projects. By focusing on a brief, concentrated burst of effort, you can overcome inertia, build momentum, and consistently make progress without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a fantastic way to tackle anything from writing a blog post to organizing a closet. Listen to the podcast for more detailed insights into how to implement this technique effectively, or better yet, pick up Lauren Graham’s book – it’s a truly engaging read!

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