Eight Projects You Should Never Do Yourself

Home owners often take on a lot of do-it-yourself projects in order to save money or just because they can. There is a line between chores you can do yourself and things you should never do without the help of a professional. Some of these items are potentially dangerous or could end up costing you more time and money than it would just hiring a professional in the first place.

1.    Plumbing

While unclogging a sink can be a DIY project, most plumbing projects are not. Water can leak and go virtually everywhere. It can seep between cracks and even through nail holes moving into other areas of the home, which can cause a lot of damage very quickly. Simply too much can go wrong by doing your own plumbing. It’s best to save yourself the trouble, potential mess, and subsequent expenses by hiring a professional plumber instead.

2.    Electrical

Unless you are a trained professional, you should not try to do electrical work. Not only is it dangerous if done incorrectly, it could cause major issues including a fire later down the road. Have peace of mind knowing you and your family are safe. Hire a licensed electrician even for small jobs that you think you could do yourself. It simply isn't worth the risk.

3.    Roofing

Aside from replacing a few shingles, it’s a good idea to hire a professional contractor to do major roofing repairs. This is for two main reasons. First, it can be dangerous to work on your roof without the right equipment and safety procedures. Secondly, a roof is the lid of your house! It keeps everything in the home protected and can cause major damage to the rest of your house if it isn’t repaired right. Doing a second-rate job because you are not equipped or do not have the knowledge required could be disastrous.

4.    Painting

In most situations, painting a room or two yourself is not a big deal. In fact, many people manage to do really amazing jobs. Others end up with blotchy walls and poor paint choices. If you don't have the appropriate tools or know-how, or if you are working on a large project, hire a professional to paint for you. The end results will be worth the expense.

5.    Taking Down Walls

Sure, that room might look great if you could open it up a little bit. But consider this ‒ not having the appropriate experience or not doing the right research could mean that you accidentally knock down a load-bearing wall or bust up some important pipes or electrical work. You don’t know what the wall may be holding up (i.e. your roof!) and you don’t know what could be behind those walls. Leave remodeling to the professionals.

6.    Over-Remodeling

There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Typically, people remodel not only to help their home look great but also to increase the value of their property. At some point, however, that increase in value becomes a bell curve. Talk to a professional before you plan your remodel so you know where to spend your money so you get the most return on your investment.

7.    Neglecting Your Yard

You want to keep your house looking and functioning great, and that should mean inside and out. Your curbside appeal not only makes you and your home look great, but it can affect the resale value or at the very least the desirability of your home should you ever want to sell. If you don’t have the time or the skills to keep your yard looking good, consider hiring a professional.

8.    Crazy Design Choices

Your home is certainly yours to do whatever you please, but if you want to sell it in the future you need to keep that in mind. This means avoiding any crazy major design choices that could turn off a potential buyer.

As a home owner, you will likely take on a lot of do-it-yourself projects to save money over time. You will probably do renovations, remodeling, and redecorating jobs and they will mostly turn out great.

Avoid these eight things and you will guarantee yourself a much better outcome.