Today’s blog is about things you shouldn’t try to do yourself when remodeling!!
“How hard can it be?” is the first question a daring do-it-yourselfer may ask when approaching a perceivably easy home repair. And many have found out the answer to this question the hard way.
Here are are a few reasons you need to consider before tackling certain projects like
PLUMBING,
ELECTRICAL,
ROOF REPAIR
AND SIMPLE BUT NOT THAT SIMPLE DEMOLITION!!!!
I’ve done some research as well as throwing in some knowledge Iv’e learned after observing things going wrong when people try to do-it-themselves.
Saving money is always the motivating factor to try to do it yourself. I’ve witnessed first hand how some wish they hadn’t tried themselves because in the end they realized we or the remodeling company still has to come in and remove debris or fixed botched projects anyway, and the cost they thought they saved came back in added costs to fix the problems.
PLUMBING
Working with hot water means copper pipes, and that requires a blow torch. Unless you have some serious welding experience, it’s best to leave the torch jobs to the professionals. While this isn’t as dangerous as electric work, plumbing problems can get out of hand fast and lead to an expensive and wet future.
One thing can be said about water — if there’s a way out, water will find it. The very smallest leak can lead to thousands of dollars worth of damage if it’s not caught in time.
You can probably manage some minor repairs like changing a shower head or replacing a faucet (not installing) but when you are in a remodeling projects it takes them 5 minutes to do what we think will take us 5 minutes but ends up being hours! (or a day project) You know what I’m talking about haha!!
Also installing a new toilet is within the realm of capabilities but you MUST make sure you have a tight seal!!!! Again an easy and fast thing for a plumber and don’t forget that if something goes wrong, as things sometimes do, THEY have to come back and fix it and it’s not on you!!!! A VERY VERY IMPORTANT thing to remember! 🙂
(really can’t stress this enough 🙂
ELECTRIC
Any projects involving electricity should be approached with extreme caution. Like plumbing, you may be able to pull off minor repairs like changing a light switch or installing a ceiling fan — as long as you make sure that your power is turned off before you start.
But if the repair goes beyond a simple fixture, it’s best to call a professional electrician. In some instances, you have to have a permit to get the work done, and a professional will be your only option. Extending or replacing circuits is dangerous business if you don’t know what you’re doing. One wrong move could burn your house down, and a shock could result in injury or death. There are also building codes that are mandated for safety purposes; not being up to code may not affect you now, but it will if you ever try to sell your home!!!!!
(note to self… codes for resale!)
I should have mentioned this in plumbing too that one never knows what’s behind the walls, the flooring, or soffits. So, now that you’ve opened things up and see a bunch of unexpected wires and plumbing, do you know where and how to safely move to a new location? Another reason to let the experts handle major or gut-out remodeling projects.
ROOF REPAIR
Repairing a roof isn’t recommended for a do-it-yourselfer for one reason — it’s easy to fall off of. Repairing a roof shingle or two isn’t the toughest job in the world, but it’s getting up and down and carrying your tools with you that pose the risk of injury or death. It’s also very tiring work, and when you’re tired, you’re more prone to make a mistake. Just a quick slip is all it takes to send you over the edge of a second-story roof.
If you live in a one-story ranch and your slope is less than 20 degrees, you can probably get away with gutter work and minor shingle repair. Your roof may even be low enough to do it from the ladder. But these minor fixes still can be dangerous, and you should never attempt any of them when you’re home alone. At the very least, you should have a spotter in place to hold the ladder and be there in case of an accident. Aside from the danger involved, roofing work also requires experience to get it right. If you bite off more than you can chew, you may end up with a leaky roof and expensive water damage.
DEMOLITION
Many homeowners try to save money on home improvement projects by doing the demolition work.
Whether it’s taking down old kitchen cabinets, removing old carpet or even taking out a wall, you can think you’re going to save what you would pay a contractor by doing the work yourself but the problems that can arise during renovation can be disastrous. You might want to leave the demo to the experts. Otherwise, if you cannot stay on schedule by doing it yourself it can cause trouble with all the other areas of the remodel and delay your project…wouldn’t you want to get your home back as soon as possible and done right with peace of mind?
Here are 10 reasons to reconsider DIY demolition work during your next home improvement project:
1. Demolition work can be dangerous.
If you attack a remodeling project, you could put yourself in harm’s way. Unstable structures can collapse, drywall can produce a fine dust that can be irritating to lungs and eyes, and some older paints can cause lead exposure.
2. Damage to the home may occur during remodeling so let the experts take responsibility.
By hiring a home improvement contractor who has liability insurance, you can avoid facing costly property damage issues. An experienced expert will also have the foresight and capabilities to prevent many problems from arising.
3. Home remodeling is time consuming.
You might be in store for more than just a weekend job. If you aren’t adept in demolition work, the time you take just learning the basics can be exhausting. A skilled contractor will work efficiently and carefully to ensure the job is completed promptly. ( our guys are very fast and efficient usually 1 or 2 days tops!!)
4. DIY remodeling requires draining physical labor.
No matter what your age or proficiency level, tackling a DIY demolition task can be a daunting physical task. Tearing away walls and lifting heavy objects can put strain and stress on your joints. A trained expert will be prepared for the physical exertion of remodeling.
5. You may not have the best tools or materials.
Taking on a DIY transformation means limiting yourself when it comes to product options due to budget concerns. Professional contractors who do demolition work on a regular basis will likely use higher quality tools and/or materials! We sometimes forget about the investment in tools to actually do the demolition!!!
So there ya have it folks!!!
Sure there are things you can do… just don’t forget the consequences of some of the so called easy things!
#1 in my mind is to not forget if something goes wrong it’s not on you…and that my friend, is a beautiful peace of mind to have!!!!
THREE CHEERS TO PEACE OF MIND!!
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!
HIP HIP HORRAY!!!
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
