{"id":1640,"date":"2026-03-02T15:01:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/solutionsrenovationquebec.ca\/?p=1640"},"modified":"2026-03-15T06:41:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T06:41:29","slug":"diy-renovation-vs-contractor-quest-what-really-costs-less-in-saint-romuald","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/solutionsrenovationquebec.ca\/en\/renovation-diy-vs-entrepreneur-quest-ce-qui-coute-vraiment-moins-cher-a-saint-romuald\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY renovation vs. contractor: what really costs less in Saint-Romuald?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You look at your outdated kitchen or tired bathroom and ask yourself: do I do this myself to save money, or hire a contractor?<\/span><\/p>\n

It's a question that almost every homeowner in Saint-Romuald asks themselves at one time or another. On paper, DIY always looks cheaper. You just pay for the materials, not the labor. A kitchen renovation<\/a> that would cost 25,000 $ with a contractor could cost you only 8,000 $ in materials if you do it yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

That sounds like a huge saving. 17,000 less $ is still significant.<\/span><\/p>\n

But here's what many homeowners discover too late: the initial cost in materials is just part of the story. The real cost of a DIY project includes your time, the tools you have to buy or rent, the mistakes you're likely to make, and above all the risks you assume.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Saint-Romuald, where many homes are 30, 40, 50 or more years old, renovating on your own involves additional risks. Older homes with hidden surprises, a harsh Quebec climate that quickly exposes mistakes, strict RBQ standards that must be met.<\/span><\/p>\n

The real question isn't \u00abwhat's going to cost me the least initially\u00bb, but \u00abwhat's going to cost me the least in the long term\u00bb.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why the \u00abcheapest\u00bb question is often asked the wrong way<\/b><\/h2>\n

When you compare DIY and contractor, most people just look at the initial price. But the initial price doesn't tell the whole story.<\/span><\/p>\n

A renovation is a long-term investment in your home. It's not just how much you pay today, but how much it will cost you over 5, 10, 15 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

The initial cost trap in DIY renovation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Imagine you decide to renovate your kitchen yourself. You budget 10,000 $ for materials: cabinets, countertops, appliances, ceramics, faucets.<\/span><\/p>\n

But here's what your budget doesn't include:<\/span><\/p>\n

Rental of specialized tools:<\/b> Ceramic saw, laser level, pneumatic nailer, floor sander. It can easily cost 500 $ to 1,500 $ to rent for the duration of the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wasted materials:<\/b> When it's your first time, you make mistakes. Broken ceramic tiles, wood cut to the wrong size, too much or too little paint. Add 10 to 20 % of wasted materials, or 1,000 $ to 2,000 $ on a budget of 10,000 $.<\/span><\/p>\n

Corrections and rework:<\/b> According to various studies of DIY projects, about 30 to 40 % of homeowners who do a major renovation themselves end up hiring a professional to correct mistakes or complete the project (a reasonable estimate).<\/span><\/p>\n

Corrections often cost more than if the work had been done properly in the first place. Why is this? Because you have to undo what was done wrong before you can redo it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your time:<\/b> This is probably the most underestimated cost. A complete DIY kitchen can easily take 200 to 300 hours of work if it's your first time. That's 6 to 8 weeks full-time, or 4 to 6 months if you just work evenings and weekends.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you earn 30 $ an hour at your job, those 250 hours represent 7,500 $ in time. Time you spend renovating instead of working, resting or spending time with your family.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the end, your 10,000 $ DIY project easily becomes 12,000 $ to 15,000 $ once you add it all up. That's still cheaper than a contractor, but the difference is much smaller than you thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

Saint-Romuald's local context: older homes, harsh winters<\/b><\/h3>\n

Saint-Romuald is a beautiful part of L\u00e9vis, with many houses built between 1960 and 1990. These homes have charm and are well located, but they often hide surprises when you start renovating.<\/span><\/p>\n

Galvanized steel plumbing in need of replacement. Electricity with aluminum wiring or insufficient 60-amp panel. Insulation non-existent or contaminated with asbestos. Structure weakened by 40 years of freeze-thaw cycles and humidity.<\/span><\/p>\n

An experienced entrepreneur can anticipate these problems and budget accordingly. In DIY, you discover them as you go along, and each discovery blows up your budget and your schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our harsh Quebec climate also makes it easy to make mistakes. Poorly done waterproofing will cause water infiltration<\/a> from the first spring. Inadequate ventilation will create mold as early as the first winter.<\/span><\/p>\n

These mistakes are expensive to correct. Sometimes more than it would have cost to hire a contractor in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n

DIY renovation: when it works... and when it's expensive<\/b><\/h2>\n

DIY isn't always a bad idea. There are projects that lend themselves well to DIY, and others that are frankly too risky.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reasonable (and RBQ-acceptable) DIY projects<\/b><\/h3>\n

Here are some jobs you can reasonably do yourself in Saint-Romuald without too much risk:<\/span><\/p>\n