Remodeling Your Home Can Be Expensive
On average, hiring a contractor for any sort of home repairs can cost you between $50-$150 an hour. At these rates, working on basic home remodels yourself makes sense. However, most of us don’t know or understand the complications that some remodeling projects entail. Here are a few home improvement projects that people generally regret doing themself.
DIY Tiling
Changing up the tiles in your kitchen or bathroom can seem easy enough, but if you’ve ever actually laid down tiles, you know it isn’t. Without the proper tools or experience, you can end up with uneven surfaces, poor grout jobs, and even cracked tiles.
Bathroom Remodels
Remodeling your bathroom on your own is a kind of pride project for every man. But anyone who has actually tried doing it will tell you that bathroom remodels are harder than you think. From plumbing to waterproofing, there is so much that can go wrong (and often does).
Installing Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors instantly give any room a more polished, elegant feel, but having them installed can cost up to $1500 per room. If you think that you can cut down these costs by installing them yourself, think again. Make one small installation mistake and you’re left with gaps, squeaks, and improper floor alignment for a long time.
Replacing Windows
Windows are more complicated than they seem. They are more than just some wood and glass thrown together. There is a reason why repairing cracked windows can cost anywhere between $100 and $500. If you have any window damage, it would be best to consult a contractor. Improper installation can lead to drafts and leaks that can drastically increase your energy bills.
Refinishing Cabinets
Changing the stain on cabinets can be a very easy way to change up the look of a room. A fresh coat of paint can make anything look brand new, but if you’re thinking of doing it yourself, be warned. Improper prep can cause paint to peel off of cabinets, making them look worn out.
Adding a Deck
Adding a deck is another one of those “pride” self-installations, but these are even more complicated. First off, they require extensive permits and paperwork. Second, if not installed correctly, their structural integrity can be compromised. In this case, it’s better to choose safety over pride.
DIY Roofing
At a time when the cost of roofing can vary anywhere between $5000 and $15,000, trying to do it yourself can be a good way to try and save a lot of money. The problem with this, however, is that roofing can be a very labor-intensive process that usually requires a whole team of people. Working alone can lead to more mistakes that can cause leaks and damage to the house.
Bathroom Plumbing
While fixing minor leaks or changing hardware can be easy enough, if you want to do anything more, it would be best to hire a plumber. One wrong move while dealing with piping can cause flooding or even long-term water damage. Not to mention all the electrical components that could be damaged in the process.
Wallpapering
Wallpapering might be relatively easy and affordable if you rent or live in a small apartment. But if you live in a house with large, tall walls, wallpapering them might not be as convenient. Misaligning the wallpaper and not gluing it down correctly can lead to bubbling and even rips in the paper, making your whole house look messy.
Refinishing Bathtubs
DIY Refinishing kits have made freshening up your bathtub easier than ever. However, these DIY jobs are not built to last. While a professionally refinished bathtub lasts up to ten years without any extra upkeep, DIY tubs barely last three years before they need to be touched up again.
Laying Concrete
If you’re thinking of redoing your driveway yourself, you might want to reconsider. Laying concrete is not an art; it’s a science. It requires precise knowledge of mixing and finishing techniques, without which, you can end up with uneven, cracked surfaces.
Installing Pocket Doors
Pocket doors are a great way to divide up small spaces or create more room in a smaller house. If you’ve ever tried to build one, you’ll know that the process of installing them can be deceptively difficult. It requires knowledge of the structural integrity of the wall, plumbing and electrical fixtures, and basic carpentry. All in all, it is a project better left to the professionals.
Removing Popcorn Ceiling
Popcorn ceilings were a huge trend back in the 70s and 80s, but now, more and more people have started to find it tacky and want it removed. If you’re one of those people, you should consider having a contractor take a look at it before you do anything. There is a huge risk of the ceiling containing asbestos, which can be dangerous to your health.
Making an ‘Open Concept’ Room
Whether it's an open-concept kitchen or bathroom, the process usually involves knocking down a few walls. To do that, you need to know whether the wall is load-bearing, whether it has any important plumbing or electrical connections, and so much more.
DIY Electrical Work
Yes, hiring an electrician to redo wiring is expensive. But it is cheaper than the hospital bills you’d have to pay if you got electrocuted. Simply put, doing any kind of extensive electrical work without proper knowledge or equipment is not just a health risk but also a serious fire hazard.
Insulating Walls
Insulating your home is very important for the comfort and survival of your family. If you choose to do it yourself and miss out on gaps, compress the material, or allow any moisture to seep in, the insulation can become ineffective or even moldy.
Installing Skylights
Skylights are a great way to brighten up a small room or a cramped corner of the house. But do them wrong and you’re at a high risk of leaks and structural issues. This is another build that is best undertaken by a contractor.
Epoxy Garage Floors
Garages are notoriously hotter and more humid than the rest of the house, and so, the process of prepping the flooring and epoxy for their floors is different. If you start a project without this knowledge, it can lead to poor bonding, bubbling, and cracks.
DIY Staircases
Staircases are risky enough to be included in the code specification for the house in many places. Mismeasured risers or weak construction of these can cause serious harm to people living in the house. If you’re considering making or renovating a staircase yourself, this is your sign to step away.
