Before installing shower glass yourself, consider the measuring, handling and fixing work involved. A panel can be expensive to replace if it's damaged or doesn't fit. Compare the complete job with a professional installation, not just the labor charge.
You have probably done a bit of DIY remodeling yourself, and you are hoping you can save on bathroom remodeling costs by installing the shower glass yourself. However, even experienced DIYers have fumbled with a shower glass installation. There are many ways things can go wrong, and the pressure might become overwhelming.
So you start asking yourself if the money you will save is worth the risk you are taking by not hiring a professional. This article will answer that question.
When to DIY your shower glass installation
You want to save on costs
This is why most people willingly sacrifice time and convenience and install the shower glass themselves. This way, they can save up the money they would have spent on labor.
However, paying labor costs would be better for some people than getting their hands dirty. The bottom line is that if you are on a budget, you can save quite a bit of money by installing the shower glass yourself.
Do you have enough expertise?
Bathroom shower glass installation is an intensive project, so before you attempt to install your shower glasses, ensure you have the right level of expertise and experience to handle such a project. It can get complicated, especially if you encounter a problem you didn’t anticipate.
If you are not confident that you can handle any situation that might come up, maybe it would be a good idea to leave it for the professionals. You do not want to end up with plumbing installation mistakes that will cost a fortune to fix.
When to hire a professional shower installer to install your shower glass
You want to save time
DIY takes time, and shower glass installation is not a one-day project. You do not have enough expertise to carry it out as quickly as a professional shower installer. And, let’s face it, even if you could, you are not a full-time contractor. You have other things that take up your time, like a job you need to get to or kids to take care of. You might not be able to bear the time pressure.
If you do not have enough spare time to handle the project, it might be better to get a professional to do it. While paying a contractor costs a bit more money, it would save you a ton of time.
You only have one bathroom
A DIY project is a bad idea if that shower is your only option. If you decide to handle the project yourself when you have one bathroom, you might have to spend days or even weeks without taking a shower or making alternative plans that are less than appealing.
If that shower is your only one, a professional installer with the right tools and experience is less likely to leave it out of commission while mistakes get fixed.
You want to do more than a shower glass installation
If you want to install your shower glass by yourself and have the time and expertise to do that, then, by all means, go ahead. However, ensure that you are just installing the shower glass.
The bathroom is one of the trickiest places to remodel, and if you are not careful, you might end up causing more harm than good. Why not get professional contractors involved? They have the expertise to handle fixing the plumbing, installing vapor barriers, and fixing tiles.
Why it’s worth it to hire a professional to install your frameless shower
They have the necessary knowledge and techniques
If you are installing a new shower enclosure, there are different things you have to consider. How do you get it to fit into a precise place? And how do you fix it without causing damage to other parts of your bathroom? You could go ahead and try and probably succeed after many trials, but is the risk worth it? A professional installer has the tools and experience to set and seal heavy glass correctly without damaging the rest of your bathroom.
They know how to source the right products
The bane of every DIY enthusiast is finding the right product at the right price to use for the project. Contractors do not have this problem because they know the products and prices. They can advise you on what shower enclosures to get.
They also come in handy when you are trying to install a custom glass shower enclosure. Getting the measurement wrong with a custom glass shower means you have wasted money. A professional knows how to take the correct measurement because they have done it many times. On the other hand, you are doing it for the first time with nothing but a Youtube video as a guide. Do you see how things could go wrong?
Because they have worked with many different shower enclosures, they know how to set and seal each type correctly.
They can handle problems that come up during installation
A professional installer has seen most of the problems that come up during an installation, such as walls that are out of plumb, and knows how to handle them.
They know all the safety protocols
Glass and metals are quite dangerous and can easily cause serious injury if they are not used correctly. You do not want to injure yourself or damage the enclosure before you can even use it. Get a trained installer to handle your shower glass installation so you don’t hurt yourself and end up spending on hospital bills or a shower glass replacement.
Is DIY worth it, or should you hire a professional?
Let’s recap! DIY is great, but some projects, like fixing a new shower head, or a faucet, are good DIY projects while others are not. Your DIY shower installation project might save you some money, but it will take more time. If you make an error due to a lack of experience, it could cost you significantly more.