When to skip the DIY
You’ve watched all those home improvement shows and it’s got you looking at your home through a DIY filter.
After all, it looks so easy on television. Maybe you can just YouTube the hard stuff?
Not so fast. Just because it’s possible to tackle a DIY home improvement project, doesn’t mean you should.
First, do your research. Will your project need a permit? How risky is it and how much will that DIY realistically save you? Don’t let the savings of a few hundred dollars today cost you thousands tomorrow.
While you may be able to successfully paint cabinets, switch out light fixtures or installing laminate flooring, here are few projects best left to the experts.
Electrical wiring: Replacing that 1980s brass light fixture with a modern Sputnik chandelier is relatively easy, but think twice before attempting anything more difficult than that. There are codes and regulations involved, not to mention the risk to yourself and your home if you get it wrong. (And besides, have you priced vintage 80s light fixtures on eBay lately? You might have a treasure hanging in your breakfast nook!)
Any structural changes: Knocking down walls looks like so much fun when the Property Brothers do it. But it can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t know which walls are load bearing, or if you damage plumbing or electrical wiring.
HVAC or septic systems: Leave it to the experts; you do not want either of these projects to go wrong. At best it can void warranties, and do we really need to discuss the worst case septic tank scenario?
Caring for uninvited “guests”:Forget trying to remove that family of birds, squirrels, raccoons, bats or bees. One call to a professional can decrease your risk of harm from rabies or a misstep while in the attic.
Replacing your front door: It’s not as easy as it looks. According to experts, it would take a carpenter less than an hour to complete perfectly. An expert would also be able to assess if the frame around the door is up to par.
Mold, lead paint, insulation or other hazard material removal: Leave it to the experts. Your inexperience could do more harm than good in the long run. Your health is far more valuable than a few hundred dollars.
Roof shingle repairs: This is not something you want to learn as you go. Between the heights and ladder use, this is an accident waiting to happen.
