Not All Problems Can Be Solved With DIY
Weekend DIY projects can be a lot of fun. It's a great way to test your skills. But some tasks should be off limits — especially if you don't have the experience or confidence. The results could be disastrous for your house and health! Plus, home inspectors can easily sniff out a bad DIY job. So, with that in mind, here are the projects to avoid.
Installing New Lighting
Looking to install a new lighting fixture in your home? Well, take it from us — that's not a DIY project! Unless you're specially trained, you could inadvertently mess up the electrics around the house. And of course, you run the risk of receiving dangerous electric shocks as well.
Removing a Wall
Have you ever tried to remove a wall before? No? Well, that's all the more reason to leave this job to professionals. By DIYing it, you could accidently put your house's structural integrity at risk. Load-bearing walls shouldn't be touched by anyone lacking experience or architectural know-how.
Sanding Your Floors
Sanding is one of the most taxing DIY jobs to do around the house. It's not simple! The floors are especially tough to sand — and quite easy to mess up. Home inspectors will pick up on amateur attempts fairly quickly. So don't be afraid to call in a professional for that particular project.
Molding
When done right, molding can really transform a room. Is it a DIY project, though? Probably not! This is arguably one of the trickiest jobs to do in your house, as you have to account for the angles of the walls and ceiling. Bad molding is extremely noticeable, folks.
Tiling
When it comes to naming realistic DIY projects, tiling is certainly on the list. It can be done. Having said that, it's a job that can easily go wrong if you don't do a sufficient amount of planning. Plus, are you skilled enough to cut a tile without damaging it? Calling a professional could save a lot of hassle here.
Electrical Work
We'll be blunt here, folks — electrical DIY work is a huge no-no. Not only could you cause massive damage to your house, but you run the risk of getting a potentially fatal electric shock, too. Unless you're a trained professional, get in touch with an electrician for those tasks.
Chimney Removal
It goes without saying that removing a chimney is a major job. So no, it's not a DIY project to take on over a weekend! You can't just knock it down on a whim. You've got to be aware of the potential effects it could have on your home's structural integrity. Professional help is a must here, then.
Installing Sheetrock
At first glance, installing sheetrock seems like a pretty feasible DIY job. Why can't you do it? Well, alongside the tediousness, it can also get quite tricky in certain areas. Do you really want to make a major mistake? Hiring a professional is a safer bet.
Fixing the Plumbing
No one likes it when the plumbing goes wrong at home. After all, you could be looking at a pricey repair bill! But paying for professional help is certainly better than trying to fix the problem yourself. You might make things worse, costing you more money in the long-run. And yes, home inspectors can spot bad DIY plumbing.
Installing Countertops
Are you interested in getting a new countertop for your kitchen? If so, here's some important advice — don't try to install it yourself. These things are extremely heavy, so you could easily get hurt going down the DIY route. You might also damage the countertop in the process.
Switching Out Your Cooktop
Swapping an electric cooktop for a gas stove is a much bigger job than you might think. You'll need a professional from both fields to pull off the switch without any hassle. So yes, that means the DIY route is out of the question here!
Messing With Old Insulation
If you're thinking about removing the old insulation from your attic, here's a word of warning. That stuff may well contain asbestos, and that's something you don't want to mess with. At all. Instead of taking the risk by DIYing it, get in touch with an asbestos abatement team to do it for you.
Roof Repairs
There are a few things to consider when it comes to repairing a damaged roof. But DIYing it? We wouldn't advise it! Even the simplest of fixes could spell danger, as a mistep may lead to serious injury. And assuming that you get through the job in one piece, will it pass a home inspector's smell test in the future?
Fixing a HVAC System
HVAC systems are intricate pieces of kit. Unless you're trained or qualified to touch them, you shouldn't try to fix a faulty system yourself. It can be pretty hazardous if you stumble across a leak. On top of that, DIYing your HVAC might lead to a voided warranty, too.
Tree Trimming
Is DIY tree trimming a realistic job? Not really! Given the tools you'd need to pull it off, it can get quite dangerous. And we don't just mean for you. Your house could get damaged by falling branches as well. Good luck explaining that to a home inspector.
Installing a Water Heater
Installing a water heater isn't a DIY job in the slightest — especially if you haven't got any experience. Depending on the type of heater you've chosen, you'll either be tinkering with electrical components or gas lines. Surely it's safer to call a professional here?
Fitting a New Carpet
Fitting a brand-new carpet seems easy enough, right? Surely it's just a case of unfurling the rolls and sticking them down? It isn't that simple, though. Your measurements have to be spot on, otherwise you'll be left with a disaster. Home inspectors know bad DIY carpeting when they see it!
Painting the Exterior Walls
Painting is arguably one of the most relaxing DIY projects to take on at home. So why is it a bad idea to paint the exterior walls yourself? Simple — if you've picked out the wrong kind of paint, you could ultimately damage the house. It's an expensive mistake to make!
Installing Skylights
Who doesn't love a stylish skylight? These windows can bring some much-needed natural light to certain rooms around your house. Can you install one with limited experience, though? Please don't! Remember, you've got to cut a hole into your roof here. So much can go wrong without a professional by your side.
Pumping Your Septic System
Does your septic tank have to be pumped? If so, don't even think about DIYing it. Not only do you need special tools to pull this off, but you also require a permit to get rid of the waste. Better to call in a pro, right?
Removing Lead Paint
Lead paint is no joke, folks. It's extremely hazardous at the best of times, and that danger only amplifies when you try to remove it. So no, this isn't a DIY project to take on over a weekend. Getting in touch with an expert is the way to go here.
Installing a Dishwasher
How hard can it be to install a new dishwasher? Surely you just need to plug it into the wall and you'll be golden, right? Wrong! Where's the water going to come from? And are the cables properly connected? A shoddy DIY installation could spell disaster for your kitchen.
Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
While it might sound like a straightforward DIY job, painting your kitchen cabinets can be anything but. Why? Well, you have to take into account all of the grease and grime that's built up on the surface. You can't just paint over that — it'll need stripping or sanding. And even that could be tricky. It's an easy project to mess up.
Fixing Garage Door Springs
If your garage door springs have lost their tension, don't try to make a DIY project out of fixing them. This can be a pretty dangerous job, as the spring could come loose and shoot towards you. Yikes! You also run the risk of breaking the door. So get in touch with a specialist instead.
Bathroom Renovations
The thought of renovating a room in your house can be pretty exciting. But attempting to revamp the bathroom as part of a DIY project? That might be too risky. So much can go wrong — even the slightest mistake could be picked up by a home inspector. Professional workers won't let that happen.
Building a Patio
Professionally-laid patios look fantastic. They can transform any garden space. But could you DIY it? That might not be wise. Think about it, folks. You've got to make sure that the ground's level enough before putting down the slabs. And you need to get the drainage sorted as well. One mistake may ruin the entire build.
Fighting Termites
There's no other way of saying it — termites are horrible! And to make matters worse, home inspectors will be able to recognize botched DIY attempts to remove an infestation. So what can you do? Well, your best bet is to contact an exterminator and leave them to it.
Installing a Deck
Installing a new deck sounds like the perfect DIY job, right? Well, it's not as straightforward as it seems. If you're doing it alone, be prepared for frequent visits from your nearby building code office. You can't do anything without their approval. Is it worth the hassle?
Taking Down an Old Shed
Are you looking to tear down an old shed in your yard? Yes? Well, hold off for now. This DIY project can't be done in the spur of the moment. Depending on the state you live in, you might need a permit for it. It's a tough job anyway, so going down the professional route could be better.
Working With Harsh Chemicals
Some DIY projects require the use of harsh chemicals. So you've got to ask yourself if it's worth the risk. Stuff such as paint thinner, adhesives, bleach, and denatured alcohol can affect your health after lengthy exposures.
Installing New Windows
Installing a new window is a major job — and one you absolutely shouldn't do by yourself. DIYing it could end in disaster, costing you more money to fix it. Home inspectors won't be impressed with that!
Fitting New Kitchen Cabinets
If you can't paint your existing kitchen cabinets, could you fit a new set of cupboards by yourself? That's not advisable, either! It's a tricky project with too many margins for error. Instead of DIYing it, call a professional to complete the job.
Creating Windows
Much like installing a skylight, creating an opening for a new window is another iffy DIY project to take on. Do you really want to make a hole in the side of your house without any help? What if something goes wrong?
Complex Cosmetic Changes
Who hasn't wanted to make the odd cosmetic change to their house? It seems like the ideal DIY project, right? But ask yourself this. Are you confident enough to complete the job without making a mistake? If not, it might be better to leave it. Home inspectors will recognize a botched attempt!
Through: Amanda Bicknell