There’s something extremely rewarding about DIY projects. You get that exhilarating, almost addictive sense of achievement that makes you feel like you can do anything.
Be that as it may, there are certain more technical construction tasks that warrant a specific set of skills to execute. Home renovations, for instance, are especially intricate. You’ll need to know the exact structure of the house, how it sits on its foundation as well as how the wiring and plumbing work. If done wrong, it can cause all sorts of issues.
Other tasks pose considerably high risks of injury or might take incredibly long to achieve on your own. You’d be better off leaving it to the professionals.
Here are 5 instances where you should think twice before attempting to DIY home project.
1. You Don’t Fully Understand What You Are Doing
In the age of the internet, there are a plethora of guides and how-to videos online offering DIY solutions. And half the time, they do come in handy in guiding you through DIY ventures.
However, there are other tasks that need years of training to do perfectly. Something like electrical repairs are extremely delicate. Some of these electricians spend a lifetime mastering how to efficiently work around the perils of electricity without causing fires or compromising safety.
Something as basic as turning off the electricity when replacing electrical fixtures can slip through the cracks and end up costing you an arm and a leg (literally).
Other remodeling tasks need you to understand all the codes, steps, and permits needed to do it efficiently.
Some common tasks that require special skills include:
- Demolition
- Anything Electrical and plumbing
- Insulation and drywall
- Installing flooring or cabinetry
- Tile work
- Dealing with asbestos and lead paint
2. You Lack the Proper Tools for the Job
Most major remodeling projects need you to employ different tools to get the job right. Electrical jobs, for instance, need special gear, including insulated devices and rubber gloves which allow them to do the job safely and with more ease.
Major demolition tasks need sledge hammers and voltage testers, different types of saws, and ladders, which might not be available in your DIY arsenal. And even if you do manage to hire the tools, it might take an eternity to learn how to use them accordingly.
Your best bet would be to hire a specialist who has them in hand and uses them on the regular
3. The DIY Poses Risk of Injury
Almost all DIY endeavors pose a certain degree of risk of injury. But some are significantly more risky than others. To put it into perspective, roughly 170,000 people end up in the hospital due to ladder-related injuries.
On top of that, areas needing heavy lifting, wiring, or mechanical tools like sledgehammers and nail guns need a competent hand to execute effectively.
4. You Don’t Have the Time
Think about the projected time you’ll be spending on the job. Chances are, you already have a full-time job, with only the weekend to spare. And the last thing you need is to devote your entire weekend to demolishing a kitchen island.
Some more demanding tasks need extra pair of hands. You’ll need to find skilled handypersons, set up a schedule, and ensure the quality of the task is kept standard all through. If you find this overwhelming, you’d best consider outsourcing the job.
5. DIY Will Cost More
Part of what makes DIY projects attractive is that they potentially save money. The assumption here is that you get to save on the cost of hiring a contractor by doing it yourself. But this is not always the case. In fact, if you are only trying it out for the first time, you are more likely to make mistakes, which will cost even more money to correct.
Other times, you might end up mistakenly damaging something more expensive or end up with an underwhelming end result, which decreases the house’s value. Imagine having to do the tiles all over again because they are misaligned or repainting the house cause you made the wrong color selection.
Having an expert do it will save both time and money. With experience backing them up, they will almost always get it right the first time.
Takeaway
In a nutshell, some projects are just not suitable for DIY. Sure, they might look easy on TV, but the actual process might need a professional to do it correctly. When in doubt, you might be better off consulting a professional.
At Painter Bros, we are the one-stop solution to all your needs. We boast a team of experts; trained in all fields of construction. We also have the tools and equipment to do any remodeling task quickly and efficiently. So don’t hesitate to call us today (844) 509-2313 and get a free quote.