Home Renovations You Should Not Do Yourself

Home-Renovation-Image-Julie-WhitmerDo it yourself (DIY) projects are more popular than ever. They’re a great way to ensure you get the exact update you want, and they can save you quite a bit of money in the process.

Paint the walls, switch out light fixtures, and tear out the carpet, but when it comes to other projects, they’re best left to the professionals.

Here are four home improvement projects that you should never do yourself.

Replacing a Roof Home-owners-should-hire-professionals-for-roof-replacements

Roofing systems can be expensive, and it’s easy to see why. They are a home’s first defense against the elements. Unfortunately, many homeowners make the mistake of trying to replace their roof on their own only to end up with the very thing they were trying to avoid—a damaging leak.

It’s really best to hire a professional for the job. They will make sure everything is installed properly. You can even look into roof financing options that will make the replacement more affordable.

Electrical Work

There are some electrical home improvement projects you can do on your own. Changing outlet covers and replacing light fixtures are two DIY projects that most homeowners can handle, but when it comes to in-depth electrical work, you need to hire a professional electrician.

Dealing with electricity can put you in danger of being shocked. A bad electrical job can even cause a fire and destroy your home. If you’re looking to install an outlet or a light fixture where there isn’t one, or the wiring in your home needs an update, don’t do it yourself.

Major Plumbing Repairs

Electrical work is especially dangerous for a homeowner. That isn’t the case with major plumbing repairs, but doing it wrong can end up costing you a lot of money.

Without the right plumbing repair or replacement, you could end up with a leak, or worse yet, flooding your home. All that water can result in mold growth and costly remodeling repairs.

A few plumbing projects that should be left to the professionals include:

  • Toilet installations
  • Shower and tub installations
  • Water heater installations
  • Valve and tube replacements
  • Sewer pipe work

Structural Changes to Rooms

Tearing out a wall sounds like the easiest DIY project of all. You just need a sledgehammer and a strong arm! Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.

Before you tear down the wall, you have to consider what’s inside it. There could be electrical wires or plumbing located in the wall. If you’re living in a two-story home, you could be dealing with a load-bearing wall. In order to make sure you don’t end up with even more costly repairs, it’s best to leave knocking down any walls to the professionals.

When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to call in a professional team to assess your project. It costs less in the long run to do it right in the first place than it does to botch the job and end up calling a professional to fix it anyway.

Related:
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Reno Redux – 6 Crucial Things to Consider When Planning Your Renovation

 6-Crucial-Things-to-Consider-When-Planning-Your-Renovation
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Planning a renovation can be exciting and you may be tempted to jump right to the fun stuff like picking out paint colors and choosing new fixtures. However, in order for your renovation to be successful, there are a few things to consider before you even get started: 

1. Hiring Professionals

Even if you’re an avid DIYer, it may be necessary to hire a contractor to do things you cannot do. For example, you may consider hiring an electrician or a plumber if you aren’t sure about your skills in these specialized areas. 

Before hiring anyone, make sure to do your research. Ask for references from friends and family who have done renovations of their own or turn to the Internet for reviews and testimonials from customers who were once in your shoes. 

2. Obtaining Permits

Many homeowners fail to obtain building permits for their renovations because they think they are an unnecessary time-wasting burden. The reality is, building permits are extremely important as they ensure your renovations adhere to structural and fire safety standards. 

If you fail to obtain the proper permits, then you could be forced to rip out all the hard work you put into your renovation project. 

3. Sticking to Your Budget

Every good renovation starts with a solid budget. While it’s important to know how much you can afford to spend, it’s also important to plan for the unexpected because no matter how much you plan, something is bound to pop up.

When creating your budget for your home remodel, be sure to work in a contingency fund for unplanned costs and throw in a little extra for things like eating out or staying in a hotel while the renovation is underway. 

4. Meeting Deadlines

If you’re hoping to have your home renovation complete before a major holiday or some important family gathering, be sure to check the calendar and work your way backward. Plan an extra two weeks to a month after the estimated completion of the remodel in case the project takes a little longer than expected. 

The last thing you want is to feel disappointment when your guests show up to a half-finished home renovation during the holidays, so be sure you give yourself some wiggle room on the calendar. 

5. Protecting the Kids and Pets

A home remodel is stressful, to say the least, but for your little humans and four-legged family members, it can be downright dangerous. To protect the ones you love most, be sure to install safety gates to keep them out of work areas and be sure all tools are out of reach. 

It may make sense also, to ask a friend or family member to watch your pets while construction is underway. With workers coming and going, a door left ajar can be all too tempting for a stressed dog or cat. 

6. Plan for Plumbing Outages

If your renovation is of the bathroom kind, you may find yourself without water for a short period of time as your plumber does what he does best. You can help make this time easier by having water ready for drinking, cooking, and flushing the toilet. 

Buy or fill jugs of drinking water and place them in the fridge. Place jugs of water on the counter for cooking and fill the bathtub with water to use for flushing the toilet. Be sure to place a bucket next to the tub for easy flushing. 

Renovating a home is more than just picking out paint colors. Successful renovations require planning ahead and careful consideration. Using the tips outlined above will ensure your home remodel goes off without a hitch. 
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Related:
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