Seven home improvement projects to leave to the pros

Home improvement networks like HGTV and DIY have dozens of shows designed to show homeowners how easy it is to remodel their homes themselves. The problem with these shows is that they gloss over 90% of what goes into the successful completion of a project. They may show the occasional humorous setback but even that’s made to look like no big deal. The truth is that DIY home improvement is almost always harder than you expect it to be. And while there are some projects you can probably do yourself with a little research and patience in order to save money, there are many you shouldn’t attempt. Here are seven of them.

Crown molding

Crown molding is a surefire way to class up your room but it’s not as easy as they make it look on TV. Walls are rarely perfectly straight, even if you have a newer home and especially if you have an older one. If you do it yourself, you’re going to end up trying to smooth over the imperfections with caulk and it will still be noticeable.

Floor refinishing

Refinish your hardwood floors is as simple as renting a sanding machine for a few hours right? Wrong. Linger a few seconds to long on one area of your floor and you have drum marks that are almost impossible to cover up. A few hours with a sanding machine isn’t enough to become comfortable with operating it like a pro would be.

Electrical work

Every year more than 400 people die as a result of faulty electrical work. If you don’t want to burn your house down or electrocute yourself, then don’t rely on YouTube to learn how to do electrical work.

Tiling

This is one DIY project that may be doable if you have a little experience and a lot of patience, but most likely, you’re better off leaving this to the pros as well. No matter how carefully you measure before you start, you’re going to have to cut some tiles to fit them around fixtures and it’s harder than it looks. If you want to try your hand with tiling, start with a simple backsplash that won’t require you to cut tiles. Better yet, just go with a peel-and-stick backsplash.

Roofing

If you thought DIY electrical work was dangerous, roofing makes it look like child’s play. More than 6,000 Americans die each year from falling-most from their roof or a ladder while cleaning gutters, hanging Christmas lights, or making roofing repairs. Hire a professional with training and the right safety gear.

Plumbing

DIY plumbing will almost certainly cost you more than it saves you. A single mistake can cost hundreds or thousands in water damage.

HVAC

Never mess with your home’s heating, cooling, or ventilation systems. A mistake could kill your whole family with carbon monoxide poisoning. Best case scenario, your home will be less energy efficient than it would be if you just hired a pro. If you want to replace a baseboard radiator heating system but can’t afford to hire a professional, consider baseboard radiator covers to give it a more modern look without endangering your family.

In fact, as a general rule, just don’t do any work that requires a permit (electrical, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, etc.) Even if you manage to do it right without hurting yourself or damaging your home, you have to disclose unpermitted work when you sell and you’ll lose any money you saved in the form of decreased home value.

Source: Realtor

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