8 Home Improvements You NEED a Professional To Do
Posted on: 2021-05-15
DIY is all the rage nowadays – there are even entire tv channels dedicated to it!
Just because you can find a video of any home improvement you can think of doesn’t mean you should tackle every project yourself.
What you think you are saving in money can cost you down the road in damages and repairs.
Not sure what you should hand off to the professionals? Here are eight home improvement projects you should not tackle on your own:
1. Electrical Work
Electrical work is probably the number one home improvement project that should be absolutely left to a professional!
Doing your own electrical work can not only lead to friend appliances but also faulty connections that lead to fire and dangerous electrical shocks.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), there were 160 electrical fatalities in the U.S. in 2018 and 35% of those occurred in private residents.
This is why there are very strict codes when it comes to electrical work including where and how electrical switches, outlets and appliances should be installed.
Even the simplest job like installing a light switch can go wrong and cause injury or death.
So if your latest project involves working with electrical circuits or running new cables, please leave it to a licensed electrician who understands the risks and is well-knowledged in proper safety protocols.
2. Plumbing Jobs
If the plumbing in your home requires an easy fix such as unplugging a clogged drain or tightening a leaky faucet, by all means, go ahead and DIY.
Otherwise, actual plumbing work should be left to the professionals.
This includes larger projects such as installing sewage tanks or water heaters but also smaller jobs like installing toilets, bathtubs and piping.
Doing it yourself can lead to leaks, flooding and extensive water damage – which can be very costly to repair.
Having a licensed professional complete the plumbing work in your home ensures that the job is done right.
3. Roofing
Replacing or repairing a damaged roof seems like an easy DIY project – it only involves hauling off the old tile and tacking on new ones, right?
Unless you know exactly what you are doing, that simple task can result in an uneven roof which can lead to leaks as well as lowering your home’s curb appeal and resale value.
Aesthetics aside, getting up on a roof can be very dangerous. One wrong move, or loose tile, is enough to send you falling off the edge.
Statistically, falls from roofs account for 75% of all fatalities in the roofing industry – and these are the people who do it professionally! This just goes to show that even trained individuals can have accidents.
Imagine what the chances of falling and facing severe injury or death are for a DIY homeowner.
Overall, roof repair and replacement can be a huge out-of-pocket expense but it’s well worth the peace of mind that you are getting the job done right and staying out of harm’s way.
4. Structural Changes
Knocking out a wall to open up the space in your home can seem like an innocent DIY project for the weekend but any structural changes to your home should never be done without the help of a professional.
Taking down walls without the proper support can weaken the entire structure of your home and lead to serious damage.
Likewise, making additions to your home (such as adding a deck or gazebo) can rack up some hefty fines if you don’t have the necessary permits or if the work is not completed to code.
Ultimately, making these types of changes or additions to your home are usually not worth the time and effort you’d need to put into it versus hiring a professional to do the job safely and effectively.
5. Tiling
There is nothing inherently dangerous about doing your own tiling but making sure the tiling job looks good is not necessarily as easy as it looks.
An uneven or botched tiling job can be difficult to remediate and making sure it’s done right can take up a huge chunk of your time.
Laying tiles involves properly preparing the surface and making sure it’s even. Then, after you choose the right tiles, they have to be measured and cut perfectly to fit around existing fixtures as well as grouting and sealing.
Instead of running the risk of things going wrong, it’s probably best to leave tiling to the professionals.
6. Driveway Repaving
Driveway repaving is a difficult DIY but one you may be tempted to take up in order to save some money.
Like every project on this list, the upfront cost of having a professional complete the work can be far less than the cost of repairing an ill-executed DIY.
When it comes to repaving your driveway, the surface has to be completely level or you’ll end up with a cracking and crumbling driveway – which you will then have to pay more money to have repairs.
Save yourself the hassle and headache by hiring a professional who has the proper tools and skills to do the job beautifully the first time.
7. Window Installation
How hard can it be to replace a window? Pop the old one out and pop the new one in, right?
Well, there’s more to window installation than that. You have to make sure the window fits properly so that you don’t lose warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer.
Ill-fitting windows will cause your energy bill to skyrocket and probably cost you the money you thought you were saving by DIYing in the first place.
Pay a pro to install those windows so that you know they are installed properly.
8. Foundation Repair
The foundation is the most crucial structure of your home and any damage to it should not be taken lightly.
Neither should the repairs! If your foundation is cracked or crumbling, DIYing repairs is only going to place a bandaid on a deeper issue.
To ensure that your home is safe from serious structural issues, hire a professional to carry out the proper repairs to your foundation.
Leave it to the Professionals!
Ready to hire a team of experts to carry out your home improvement projects?
Our certified contractors at Parabola Developments are more than happy to discuss your home improvement and renovations plans.
