5 DIY Jobs Homeowners Should Avoid

Doing it yourself is a great way to save money. Home improvements and repairs can be costly, and any contractor you hire to do the job will mark-up prices on materials and labor. Some will also charge for an estimate, although that is rare these days. So, with that in mind, and with the Internet being such a vast resource of free information, it’s very easy to be tempted to do a lot of these expensive jobs yourself. However, you can soon find yourself out of your depth and spending even more money than the initial job would have cost to correct your own mistakes. Here is a list of jobs that you should think twice about attempting: 1. Tree Removal – If it’s a large tree, you need to know exactly how to make it fall in the right direction. If you do manage to plan it correctly, and it falls just where you want, you now have a stump to remove. A huge, heavy stump with a root system that could spread 20 to 40 feet. After all that heaving and pulling, probably with a truck, you now have a very heavy stump to haul away, plus the rest of the tree. Hire a tree service; they do this daily and they’re reasonably priced. 2. Major Plumbing or Electrical Work – If you have a blocked toilet or a leaky faucet, don’t pay big money on a contractor, installing a new ceiling fan or light is no big deal either. But when it comes to anything that involves rerouting pipe work or significant rewiring, don’t save a buck and do it yourself. This requires the work of professionals, it’s not worth the risk. 3. Installing New Windows – When you consider you are literally cutting a huge hole in the side of your house and have to make sure it is safe and watertight, is it worth saving the money? Even a small mistake could result in serious damage to your home and the contents. Hire a contractor. 4. Gutter Repair or Replacement – At first glance, it seems easy enough. But consider this — the guttering system is directly linked to the roof, and it is virtually impossible to repair it without impacting that roof. Save yourself the headache and the risk of injury to yourself and damage to the roof. Call the pros. 5. Attic Insulation – Just throwing a bit of insulation in the attic? No worries. Well, think again. If you don’t know which type of insulation to use, how much to use, and where to put it, you can actually create new problems. These include improper ventilation, home overheating, and even wood rot from moisture buildup. And if you don’t watch your step, you could come right through the ceiling. I would recommend a professional service.