Hey Steve?! DIY vs. Pro

Hey Steve!?!

DIY vs. Pro: When to Hire a General Contractor – Advice from our Project Manager in Kyle, TX

Howdy folks “I’m Steve” your local general contractor here in Kyle, TX. I’ve been swingin’ hammers and fixin’ homes longer than my hair in the 80’s. I’ve seen DIY wins that’d make you proud and I’ve also been called in to rescue more than a few “I got this.”

So today, let’s talk about when to go full DIY and when to call in a pro like yours truly. I’ll walk you through some real-life convos about kitchen remodels, bathroom updates and flooring options I’ve had with homeowners right here in Central Texas.

Homeowner #1: The Ambitious Kitchen Remodel; San Marcos TX

Maria: “Hey Steve, I’ve been watchin’ all those HGTV shows, and I think I’m gonna remodel my kitchen—cabinets, countertops, and a really cool backsplash. You think I can do any of it to save money?”

Steve: “Maria, darlin’, I love the enthusiasm but thats pretty much a full-blown kitchen remodel. If you need to save money, lets talk kitchen “refresh”. Instead of new cabinets if you can salvage them with just paint or maybe at most newfronts you could save 40k. Unless you’ve done it before, a full blown kitchen remodel can become very complicated once you start ripping things out who knows what we will find.’”

My advice: If it involves anything behind the walls… like gas lines or electrical… or you’re movin’ walls around, you’re better off hirin’ a general contractor. We handle the permits, the pros, and the schedule, so you can focus on pickin’ backsplash tile instead of stressin’ over inspections. For refresh projects doing DIY can be fun and affordable.

Homeowner #2: “The Bathroom Blues” (Wimberley, TX)

Tom: “Steve, save me. I started a bathroom remodel, thought I could replace the shower and tile the floor. Now I’ve got a leak and my drywall’s mush.”

Steve: “Aw man, Tom, I hate to say it, but you’re not the first. Bathrooms are sneaky, you get water problems everywhere if you dont get the details right.”

My advice: Swappin’ a vanity or repaintin’? Knock yourself out in a bathroom but when it comes to tile or plumbing your best bets are to bring in the pros. A bathroom remodel done right adds serious value. Done wrong? It’ll cost ya double to fix.

Homeowner #3: "The Flooring Dilemna" (Austin, TX)

Rita: “Hey Steve, I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on vinyl plank flooring and it looked easy enough but after a year the damn planks are popping out everywhere?”

Steve: “Honestly, Rita? I see this all the time… it is a DIY project but lvp or vinyl planks still need lots of prep, did you level the floors beforehand?”

Rita: “It wasn't bad so I thought I could save my back and not pour any leveler.”

My advice: Vinyl plank? Go for it. But prep is everything. A Pro knows all the steps so that its done right the first time and won't cause issues later. Oftentimes warranties are voided when you don't use a pro as well.

When to Hire a General Contractor in Kyle, TX

Here’s my quick guide:

• DIY-friendly: Painting, small landscaping, installing shelves, changing light fixtures, basic flooring.

• Call Steve: Full kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, roofing, flooring with issues, anything with permits or multiple trades.

TV makes it look easy but halfway through demo is a bad time to realize you just knocked out a load-bearing wall or cracked a water line.

Final Word from Steve

Whether you’re spicin’ up the kitchen for your beautiful wife, freshenin’ up the bathroom for your next spa appointment or considerin’ your flooring options, the key is knowin’ when to call in backup. Ain’t no shame in that, just smart homeownership.

If you’re in Kyle, TX or nearby and ready to talk shop about your next project, holler at me. I’m Steve—the guy who shows up with the tools, the coffee, and the peace of mind.