DIY or Hire a Pro? Which Home Upgrades Are Too Big to Handle

When it comes to home improvement projects, it’s always tempting to try a DIY approach. Avoiding the hassle and cost of bringing in a contractor is always nice, and there’s also a degree of satisfaction that comes with doing a project on your own. With that said, there are some projects that the average homeowner shouldn’t try to tackle. Here are four projects that are best left to a professional contractor.

Water Damage Repair

Whether you’ve experienced a burst pipe, basement flooding or water intrusion from heavy spring rains, water damage is serious business. Left untreated, water damage can create structural problems and create a perfect environment for mold. If you lack time or aren’t very thorough, you can cause damage that will be nearly unnoticeable until it is too late. Because the risks of ongoing damage are so high, it’s best to let a professional deal with water damage in your home.

Any Kind of Rewiring Project

Unless you have prior experience as an electrician, you should avoid dealing with home electrical work as much as possible. The potential for damage and injury from improper wiring is simply too high for it to be done haphazardly. Simple forgetfulness could cause serious injuries in this case. Even a simple wiring job requires a lot of inside knowledge. Always bring in a qualified electrician for home wiring projects, as you’ll be sure to get the job done correctly and safely.

Large Plumbing Projects

Unlike electrical work, plumbing doesn’t always require a pro. The average homeowner is capable of replacing drains, fixing a leaky faucet or even replacing a toilet. With that said, larger projects are usually best left to a professional. If you’re looking at any kind of major water supply pipe replacement or moving pipes around to reconfigure a kitchen or bathroom, a professional plumber is the way to go. Even if you’re capable of doing it yourself, a plumber will be able to finish the job much more quickly and save you both time and inconvenience. In all of these questions, it is worth considering how much time you actually have outside of your own work.

Subfloor or Joist Repairs

Replacing surface flooring such as wood laminate, linoleum or carpet is the kind of project most homeowners can handle on their own. Repairing subfloor or joists, on the other hand, calls for a construction professional. Unlike cosmetic floor coverings, subfloors and joists have an impact on your home’s structural integrity. If you have damage underneath your flooring, you should call in a professional to repair it, then cover the new subfloor up on your own.

Knowing the difference between a DIY and a professional project will save you money and stress as a homeowner. When it’s time to call in a professional, don’t make the problem worse by biting off more than you can chew. There is nothing wrong with relying on others to get the job done. Have a conservive estimate of your abilities, trust in qualified experts, and rely on the expertise of professionals, whether you DIY or not.