Considering DIY Home Repair? Here Are The Top 6 Areas To Go Pro, For Safety Sake!

Most homeowners enjoy the challenge of doing some of their own home maintenance and repair work. In fact, the DIY method can be a great way to save money on home repair bills while getting some exercise and developing your skill set. Projects like painting, landscaping, refinishing floors, and woodwork are well suited for the do-it-yourselfer, exuding significant savings for the sore muscles and splinters received along the way.

Some projects, however, have no tolerance for mistakes and the consequences of attempting them on anything but a professional level can be deadly. Even some that appear simple may fall into this category. Below is a list of some of the more dangerous home repair and maintenance tasks, and why you should avoid them.

6 Common Home Repair Issues Where Going Pro Can Protect Your Investment And Your Life!

• Electrical Work - Faulty wiring, stray voltage, and overloaded circuits can not only cause your home to catch fire, but also extreme injuries or death. This is one of the most important home repair jobs to leave to the pros.
• Roof Repair - Some minor roofing repairs, such as replacing a missing shingle or using sealant to keep the plumbing stack from leaking, can be handled by the careful DIY homeowner. However, there are many other instances when a roof + a homeowner = a recipe for disaster. Roofs that are steeply pitched, slick surfaced, or located in particularly windy climates can be very dangerous places. Professionals have the appropriate safety gear and tools to ensure these jobs are handled safely and correctly. In addition, homeowners need to examine any roofing material warranty they may have, consulting with their insurance company to ensure that a DIY repair will not void warranty or insurance coverage.
• Structural Changes - Removing a wall to open up that kitchen or living room space can be a wonderful improvement that can add both enjoyment and value to your home. However, attempting to make major changes as a DIY project can be a costly mistake. Professional contractors understand this work can entail shoring up load bearing walls and adding additional support to key areas of the home, as well as moving electrical wiring, plumbing, and lighting fixtures. What may seem like a small repair project can become an ongoing and expensive saga if not done correctly.
• Demolition - Admit it; we have all watched the home repair shows and itched to pick up a sledgehammer and start tearing down something in our own home. However, this fantasy can quickly turn into a nightmare. Older homes in particular may have plumbing runs or electrical wiring in areas where you least expect to find it, making the swing of a sledgehammer downright scary. The pros know how to check for these issues before the work begins and how to fix them, should any problems occur.
• Plumbing Repair - We have all heard the old joke that all it takes to be a plumber is to know that certain substances always run downhill. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Mishandled plumbing repairs can result in water damage, mold infestation, pressure problems, scald burns from over-heated water, and many other issues. A professional plumber can assess the problem, repair or replace the damaged plumbing, and prevent future issues.

Before taking on any home repair project, do-it-yourselfers should always remember to get the required permits and inspections, before beginning the job. In many areas of the country, unpermitted work on the home is not considered in the value of the home when it is sold, which can make DIY repairs even more costly.

Dwell360 is a residential real estate firm based in Newton, Massachusetts, servicing the cities and suburbs of metro Boston. We are focused on our customers and our experience in the residential real estate market is extensive. Search for homes in Massachusetts and then give us a call.