Want to save money with DIY? Don’t try these projects

One of the main reasons homeowners give for doing home improvement projects themselves is to save money on remodeling. DIY can be a great way to stretch your remodeling budget but as any general contractor will tell you, it can just as easily cost you money if you don’t choose projects wisely. A lot of contractors are called in to try and fix something that the homeowner did incorrectly and in many of these cases the cost is even higher than if the contractor was called in in the first place. Here are four projects you should never undertake yourself.

Extensive bathroom or kitchen remodels

These projects are always way bigger and way more difficult than homeowners anticipate. As a result, they always go over budget and often run out of money with a half-completed bathroom or kitchen. These projects often involve special equipment or training that the average homeowner just won’t have. For projects of this scale, it’s worth the money to bring in an architect and general contractor from the very beginning.

Roof repairs

Because your roof is at least a dozen feet off the ground, any DIY work involving your work is inherently risky. Not only do you risk your own safety by trying to do your own roofing work, but there are other drawbacks. Any warranty that came with the shingles is almost certainly voided because they weren’t installed by a professional. If you need any roofing work done, whether it’s a complete replacement or just a patch, it’s best to call in a professional roofer.

Tree removal

If you’ve ever watched funny videos online, you’ve come across homeowners dropping trees or large branches onto their homes or vehicles. This is precisely why you want to hire a professional for tree removal. They have the proper safety equipment and they know how to cut the tree in such a way that it won’t pancake your car or fall into your living room. There are plenty of smaller-scale landscaping projects that you can do yourself to save money but save this for the pros.

Removing harmful materials

For obvious reasons, you should let professionals handle any dangerous materials such as asbestos or lead-based paint. If you have an older home it’s a good idea to have an inspection to test for the presence of these materials. If they’re discovered then it goes without saying that you need to have them removed, but don’t do it yourself.

Projects to do instead

If hiring architects or contractors isn’t in your remodeling budget, then consider some small-scale projects to do instead. For the bathroom or kitchen, you can swap out light or sink fixtures. You can replace cabinet hardware or even repaint your cabinets. You can repaint your home’s interior or install baseboard heater covers. There is no shortage of simple DIY projects that can add value to your home that don’t require the help of professionals.

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