Imagup General Magazine 2024
It’s no secret that certain home renovation projects can drastically increase the resale value of a home. Thanks to popular fix and flip and home reno shows, homeowners are more confident than ever that they too can take on their own home renovation projects. Unfortunately, the glitz and glam of these TV shows have made the renovation process look easier than it actually is, leaving homeowners with less than satisfactory completion results.
In most cases, homeowners make the decision to do home renovation projects on their own for the sake of saving money, but when these projects are done incorrectly, it ends up costing them more money than it would have if they hired a professional in the first place. True enough, certain projects can save you more money than hiring a professional, but the issue at hand isn’t a matter of aesthetics, even though, professionals will give you a high quality, polished final result; the real issue is a matter of safety with these projects. If you are one of those who want to do all by yourself, visit kitchensacramento.com and check some great advices offered there.
Did you know that falls are the #1 injury among DIY home projects with homeowners? According to the National Safety Council, there are 23.8 preventable injuries that occur due to home projects not left to professionals. So don’t let the appeal of home improvement shows reel you into thinking you can do it too.
If you’re really into all things DIY, you need to first consider the safety consequences that come with it. The two important questions you need to ask yourself when trying to determine if you should take on a particular project on your own is:
Will a mistake cause bodily injury to my overall health and wellbeing?
Will a mistake cause damage to my home?
If “yes” is the answer to either or both of those questions, that should let you know that particular project is best left to professionals. Here are a few common projects you need to hire professional contractors for.
Electrical Work
Any project you want to do that involves wiring, running cables, or repairing faulty electrical circuits or wiring, you most definitely want to leave that to a licensed electrician. They know and understand not only how to install, remove, and repair all things electrical, but they also know and understand the consequences if proper protocol isn’t followed. The risk of electrocution is too high for an unskilled and unlicensed individual. Furthermore, wiring anything improperly or exceeding your power consumption frequently results in tripped breakers, extra difficulties, igniting outlets, and more expensive repairs down the road, particularly if walls must be re-opened to remedy the error.
If you’re indeed very interested in electrical work and want to pursue becoming an electrician, you’re not only going to need to get licensed but you’re also going to need to complete state-approved continuing education courses from trusted sources such as rocketcert.com as well.
Roof Work
As mentioned earlier, falls are the #1 cause of home injuries, and falling off of a roof is a major contributor. Everything from replacing shingles to installing a completely new roof, this type of work requires a licensed and skilled professional contractor. The last thing you need is an unsafe roof.
There’s not only the risk of falling off of a ladder as you’re climbing to get to the roof but there’s always the possibility of falling through a weak area of the roof as well. Aside from structural damage to your home and bodily injury, the quality of work will stick out like a sore thumb if there’s any mistake in your repair work or application of the roof, thus, taking away from your home’s resale value
Plumbing Work
Anything outside of a plunging or snaking a drain, fixing a leaking faucet, or a bottle of Draino, you’re more than likely going to need to enlist the help of a professional plumber. Some of the big jobs like installing a water heater or sewage tank are obvious tasks that need to be taken on by professionals. But even some of the smaller, somewhat difficult projects like installing a toilet or sink, can require professionals because if they’re done incorrectly, it can lead to severe water leaks and flooding, which can then lead to serious water damage and even mold.
Pipes are complicated and difficult to rebuild, especially when they are adjacent to other plumbing elements and equipment, such as dishwashers or trash disposals. Even if you are positive the obstacle is beneath the sink, you should leave it to a plumber if you have no past expertise removing and reconstructing pipes.
Tiling
It might seem like doing the tiling work on your own can help you sav some money but that will cost you so much effort. There is a lot of work to do rather than just putting on some tiles in a straight line. This is not to suggest that it is unachievable, but if you have extensive expertise, tiling your own bathroom or kitchen will most likely take considerably longer than it should, and there are a lot of things that may go wrong.
Be it the flooring or any room to be tiled, it will be a lengthy process to do. You will first have to even the whole surface after removing the previous tiles.
There’s nothing wrong with taking on home renovation projects on your own. Doing so brings about a sense of pride and satisfaction that you were able to complete a project without the help of a professional. The biggest thing to take into consideration is the safety of the project. If a single mistake can cause bodily injury to you or damage to your property, it’s a project requiring the skill and expertise of a professional. When deciding whether to DIY, always evaluate if you have the skills and tools needed to perform the task safely and efficiently or not. Do ask yourself whether saving money will cost you your time and effort in that one particular thing or is it going to be worth it.
