Home Improvements - 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't DIY

September 14th, 2014  |  Home Insurance

Home improvements and renovation projects are a great way to invest in your home and increase its value – that is, if you do things the right way.

In an attempt to save money, many homeowners decide to take a do it yourself (DIY) approach to renovations. While there are undoubtedly many improvements that are ideal DIY projects, there are just as many that are best left to a professional. 

This often leads to a debate about which approach is best for a given project. Do you have the skills? Or do you think you have the skills to do the project? This is a big distinction that needs to be made and you need to be realistic about your renovation skills and abilities. You also have to factor other things into the equation such as:

• Do you have the time to do the project?
• Do you have the tools and resources?
• Is it more cost and time efficient to hire a contractor?
• What happens if something goes wrong?

Projects Ideal for DIY

Here are some of the projects that are ideal for DIY:

• Landscaping
• Painting
• Flooring installation
• Toilet installation
• Drywall hanging and finishing
• Insulating open walls

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Always DIY

Thinking about a DIY project? Here are 5 reasons why you need to seriously reconsider:

1. It’s not as easy as it looks on TV: While the contractors on HGTV make it look like you could renovate your entire home in a weekend, it’s not that easy – even the smaller projects. 
2. Knowledge is power: Be honest with yourself – How much do you actually know about the project you are thinking about doing? There is a big difference between knowing how to use tools and being handy and doing a renovation project. 
3. You lack the proper equipment: Cost savings is a main reason why people choose a DIY approach. However, once you invest in the tools and supplies for the job, how much are you actually saving vs. hiring a contractor? 
4. Time: Do you actually have the time to do the project? Don’t turn a weekend project into a fall renovation that lasts months. If you cannot reasonably find the time to do the project, hire a contractor to get the job done. 
5. Those YouTube tutorials are not always right:If you are thinking about leaning on YouTube to guide you through the project, think again. Just because there is a video on YouTube does not mean it’s the correct approach. Consider the source and credentials of the person offering advice. 

Learn more: 5 DIY Home Renovation Tips That All Homeowners Need To Think About

Project That Are Best Left To The Pros

Here are some of the home improvements and renovation projects that are best left to the pros to complete:

• Electrical work
• Plumbing
• Major landscaping project such as tree removal
• Structural changes to your home
• Fencing or decking
• Roofing repair or replacement
• Window replacement

These home improvements are just best left to the professionals. The last thing you want is to have issues with the projects you completed – which will end up costing you more money in repairs. 

Which approach do you prefer? DIY or hiring a contractor? What DIY projects have you done in the past? Did you run into any issues?