Every homeowner knows that maintaining a residence requires certain investments. For example, certain home improvement projects require professional assistance. Go ahead and caulk a window or lay that tile in your own bathroom, but when it comes to the big jobs that require specific equipment and training to complete, reach for the phone instead. Here’s a list of five home repair and maintenance jobs that should never be completed without the right equipment and expertise.
1. Plumbing Projects
Despite the large number of DIY videos available on YouTube, it isn’t a good idea to try fixing your home’s plumbing without some expert help. Commercially sold products commonly used to unclog drains can actually damage pipes. Attempting to replace plumbing fixtures without proper instruction or equipment can cause serious damage to a home’s plumbing system. Save time and money by calling a professional first. When is comes to bigger home improvement projects such as this, there are often many codes that have to be met and upheld. By doing the projects yourself, you could be unaware of the codes and not meet it. Then when trying to resale the home cost yourself more money in the long run.
2. Electrical Projects
Most electrical projects should also be left to the pros. Chances are that you could easily replace or rewire a light fixture or two, but if you need to do more extensive work involving your home’s wiring, don’t do it yourself. Risk of electrocution or an electrical fire are too high to justify the savings.
3. Tree Service
If that beautiful shade tree in your yard has grown too close to the house, don’t risk life and limb to trim it yourself. The professionals from say they have seen home owners take matters into their own hands and often cost themselves much more in the long run with the repairs to their homes or vehicles after projects have gone array.
4. Carpet Installation
There are not as many DIY videos about carpet installation available online as there are plumbing projects, but penny-pinching homeowners have been known to try it. Unless you enjoy tripping over lumps in the carpet that result from an amateur installation, don’t do this job yourself. Professionals have the equipment necessary to properly stretch and secure carpet. Home owners tend to spend more in carpet expenses as well. Professional carpet layers understand how to best utilize the carpet, cutting the carpet expense costs in the end.
5. Window Installation
There are a lot of benefits to installing new windows, but this project needs to be done by professionals who know how to safely handle large sheets of glass. While you might be able to effectively weatherproof your home by caulking a window, window installation is another matter. Professionals have the right equipment to do the job safely and keep your home properly insulated.
Many home improvement projects can be successfully completed by the weekend warrior. Certain projects, however, require specialized training and equipment. Leave those jobs to the pros.
