In this day and age, with Pinterest and YouTube tutorials, attempting to Do-It-Yourself is pretty common. People want to get things done quickly, efficiently and spending the least amount of funds possible. But not every project can be done that easily without professional help. It’s fun to push boundaries—but only when it can be done right.
There are some tasks that homeowners should be able to take care of themselves, but not all home renovations fall under this category. Depending on your experience and the type of project, attempting to take care of it yourself could only lead to money down the drain, further damage to your property, and trouble with your Home Insurance. If you think you might need the help of a professional, don’t be afraid to ask. Compiled below is a list of seven home improvement projects that shouldn’t be DIY, courtesy of Architectural Digest.
1. Sanding Floors Can Be Difficult
Sanding floors takes a lot of skill that can only be developed over time. Amateur work is especially noticeable, and could take away from the value of your home. Just hire a pro and save yourself the time and the trouble.
2. Sheetrock Isn’t a Cakewalk
Messing with sheetrock isn’t dangerous, but it is tedious. It’s also not expensive to hire it out. You can try to do it yourself, but it would be best to start in an unnoticed area, just in case you make a mistake.
3. Pipes and Plumbing Should Be Left to the Pros
This is one thing that should definitely be left to the pros. If you do this wrong, you could end up flooding your whole house. Don’t take the risk and hire a plumber before trying to tackle a leak yourself.
4. Don’t Remove Walls
If you aren’t sure if the wall is needed or not, you’re probably not going to want to remove it. You don’t want to risk getting hurt or having a ceiling caving in.
5. Be Wary With Electrical Wiring
If you know what you’re doing, then it’s okay to install something small like a dimmer switch or swap out a light fixture. But if you aren’t a licensed electrician, then it’s best to leave all other electrical wiring jobs to the pros. They studied this stuff for a reason; they know what they are doing. Trust your local electrician.
6. If it’s Heavy, Leave it Alone
Yes, granite countertops are beautiful. But they should be left to the pros. You can get hurt while trying to install things that are really heavy. When it’s heavy, don’t bother trying to DIY it. Pros have the tools and experience needed to tackle these kinds of jobs, and the price is worth it.
7. Be Sparing With Tiling
Some tiling work is okay, but not a huge amount. While backsplashes aren’t hard, things can turn disastrous in other situations. Tiling an entire shower can prove to be especially difficult, so be careful if you are trying to take on that challenge. You don’t want to end up with a subpar shower job.
About ISU / The Olson Duncan Agency
At ISU – The Olson Duncan Agency, our goal is to provide clients with a total solution, not just a quote or a contract. We provide businesses and individuals with insurance and risk management solutions, and we aim to provide real value and build trustworthy, long-term relationships with our clients. To learn more about our services, give us a call today at (310) 373-6441 to speak with one of our professionals.