DIY projects can be a great way to save money and get creative. You can also learn new skills as you try new things to maintain your home. However, there are particular home repair and improvement tasks that you should not attempt on your own.
We’ve put together this list of such projects to help keep your life hassle-free and enjoyable.
Electrical work
Anything that involves electricity is best left to professionals. Even the slightest slip could cost you your life. Do-it-yourself electrical work is hazardous because of the potential for electrocution or shock, fires, and faulty wiring. Electrical blackouts are no joke either. If you can smell burning rubber in your home’s wiring, call an electrician immediately to avoid a potential fire.
Hiring an electrician will cost you. But in the long run, it’s better than death, injury, or losing your home to a blaze you could have prevented with proper wiring.
Plumbing
Fixing plumbing issues falls into the same category as electrical work. If you have leaky pipes, blocked drains, or any other plumbing problems, call a professional to avoid flooding your home and more costly repairs than you bargained for. Replacing broken sewer lines can cost $5,000 or more if left unrepaired. In addition, hiring a plumber will help ensure you’re using the proper materials and using them safely.
Tile work
Tiles can add a nice touch to any room in your home. However, while tile is appealing, it’s also heavy and difficult to install correctly. Tiles are thin and break easily when dropped or mishandled. This leaves you with a repair job that is difficult and time-consuming. Worse yet, hiring a professional tile layer can cost upwards of $1,000 — an expense you’ll want to avoid if at all possible.
Replacing a Garage Door
Residents know better than to replace garage doors by themselves. Garage door opener repair is the second most common service call for a house call. To complete this project, you’ll need to disconnect your car from the garage door. If you don’t return your vehicle within a few minutes, you’ll be locked out of your home.
If you’re going to install a garage door opener, it’s best to hire a professional who will ensure the job is done correctly.
Gas lines and linesets
Linesets are expensive to replace, so you’ll want to avoid that cost by hiring a pro. Gas line installation is dangerous because improper setup could result in an explosion or fire.
You should also avoid trying to fix linesets yourself. If you damage the lineset, you’ll be responsible for replacing it at your own cost. A leaking line can be detected by smell and sight; once discovered, call a professional immediately.
Roofing or siding repair
Leaks are common in roofs and siding. While it may be tempting to fix these issues on your own, roofing repairs can cost $500 or more. If you’re experiencing leaks or problems with your roof, garage door, or any other part of the exterior of your home, don’t put off calling a professional any longer.
Hiring a contractor will cost $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the size of your home and the needed repairs. However, this is far less than you would pay for insurance deductibles or repairs should an accident occur.
Chimney work
The only time you should attempt chimney repairs is when you’re a professional. This especially applies to structural and masonry problems. For your safety and peace of mind, always hire a professional to help with other chimney issues. A fireplace can be dangerous without proper care made by someone who knows what they are doing.
Carpentry projects with power tools
Power tools are intimidating if you’re not used to them. If you don’t have experience with them, nail guns can send everything flying, including bits of wood and nails themselves. You should also avoid trying to drill wood by hand. Bits can easily break, which may lead to serious injury. Never attempt carpentry projects when using power tools because you could easily endanger yourself and your home in the process.
Installing countertops or cabinets
Countertops are expensive, so you’ll want to avoid the expense of hiring someone. However, while installing countertops is relatively straightforward, cabinets are much more complicated. Assembling cabinets can be complicated and time-consuming. This will likely cost you more money in the long run due to hiring an expert kitchen designer, who may charge anywhere from $750 to $5,000.
Tree trimming
Tree trimming is dangerous, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. You may believe that it’s easy to cut away branches on your own, but this isn’t true. Trimming trees can result in serious injury or even death.
If you must hire someone to do any tree work on your property, be sure to do your research on the company. Make sure they are reliable and insured before handing over any money.
Home repairs and improvement projects can cost a lot of money. There are many dangers involved with do-it-yourself home renovation, so you should avoid these projects.
It’s best to leave your repair work to the experts who know what they’re doing. You’ll save time and money in the long run by calling a contractor or home maintenance worker to handle any problems you encounter with your home.
