If your basement’s drywall is a wreck, it’s natural to first think of the cost. That’s especially true if multiple panels of sheetrock are sagging or damp to the touch. Since basements see little foot traffic, wet drywall catches most homeowners off guard—and their budget is unprepared. That can make DIY the only natural conclusion. However, there are many reasons why hiring a professional is actually the cheaper solution.
The Dangers Of DIY
Replacing a panel of drywall seems like an easy venture. However, it can be very costly to buy or rent the tools necessary to take down the damaged sheetrock, let alone put a new one up. Likewise, you will need to buy new sheets and have them delivered, and then appropriately cut them to size. Leveling, spackling, and plastering the final result takes even more gear and materials.
Outside of technical costs, you need to consider the dangers you’re imposing on your basement, your health, and anyone helping you. When taking down drywall, you may damage any wiring that lies behind the walls or even the support joists themselves. This could lead to electrocution, collapse, or subtle issues in the structure of your home that only develop into worse problems over time. It’s also easy to overlook subtle issues, like mold or floor cracks, as you remove the wall and put up a new one. A professional is trained to catch these dangers and apply permanent fixes.
Professional Services
Hiring a professional will include an up-front expense; however, you are benefitting from their specialized products, equipment, and technical training. Often, a professional can get better deals on materials and equipment that are purchased from wholesalers or manufacturers. This ensures the materials needed to repair or replace your drywall, the tools necessary to complete the job, and even the required safety equipment are all at a lower cost. That will reflect in the quote you’re offered during a free inspection.
A professional also has experience with the types of issues your home is facing. They will know how to assess any co-occurring issues and get to the root problem at hand. Instead of fixing just one symptom and masking the real problem, they can apply a complete fix that ensures you don’t need more work in the future. As a plus, they will also have experience in removing, placing, and finishing drywall without accidentally damaging your basement, appliances, plumbing, or wiring. This ensures there are no harmful or costly accidents that haunt you later.