We get it. Every homeowner reading this feels like they can do any home improvement job with just the right amount of elbow grease and the help of some YouTube tutorials. But while DIY-ing some home improvement jobs is admirable, some of the heavy and important projects really should be left to the pros.
Yes, getting a professional contractor might cost a few bucks, but in the long-run, it’s a small investment to make that ensures your property’s value continues going up. Some states and cities might also have different laws that regulate what type of jobs you can or cannot do on your own. For example, a window replacement project in Rapid City might not require a building permit. In contrast, the same project in, say, Wichita might require one.
Here are some home improvement projects you should leave to the pros:
Changes to the House’s Structure
Structural changes, like knocking down walls or adding structures to your house, really need to be done by licensed professionals. Sure, replacing your living room with a bay window or knocking down the wall between the kitchen and the dining room might seem like a good idea, but without the right tools or without proper knowledge of where the critical support structures are inside your house, you’re risking some serious damage to your home.
Re-fitting the Plumbing
Unclogging a toilet doesn’t make anyone a plumber, but for some reason, a lot of folks think that just because they fixed a leaky faucet one time means they’re now qualified to tackle the entire plumbing system of their house. Yikes!
When it comes to any type of plumbing job, get a licensed, professional plumber to re-fit your pipes. We’re talking about the bones of your house, here: any misstep or a screw not tightened enough, and you risk leaks that turn to floods that turn to water damage. And guess what: having that repaired is going to cost you more than what you saved when you tried to DIY in the first place.
Leave the Electrical Stuff to Pros
This is where doing it yourself can get dangerous. Unless you’re a licensed electrician, don’t even think that you’re qualified to touch the wiring in your house. If you mess up, it could cost you your life. We’re not joking around here. At best, you’ll cross a couple of wires and maybe fry the plug that the toaster is plugged into. At worst, you could end up electrocuting yourself to death or causing a short circuit that could start a fire later on.
When it comes to electrical stuff, call a professional. Trust us when we says, a licensed electrician will know more than you.
To DIY or Not to DIY
Whenever you feel like doing a DIY home improvement project, always ask yourself these questions:
- Do I have the right tools?
- Do I know what I’m doing?
- How much money is this going to save?
- Will that money be worth it if I mess up?
If you answer ‘no’ to any of these questions, then you’d better call your local contractor instead.
