Weekend Warrior Beware: 5 Projects to Never DIY

Channels like HGTV and other renovation shows on TV have gotten everyone thinking they can DIY anything and become a weekend warrior. But, unfortunately, some things do require a professional.

Most DIY projects end up over the homeowner’s head, over budget, and you’ll end up calling in a pro to fix it after all.

When you go over budget on your DIY, you’re probably ending up spending twice the amount you intended. One in three DIY’ers has called in a professional to fix what they started. Fifty-five percent of people who are disappointed in the project say it’s because it’s ugly.

Here are our top five projects you should never try to do on your own if you don’t know what you’re doing.

1. Flooring

Whether it comes to installation of tile, refinishing hardwood, installing carpet, to hardwood installation, flooring is best left to the professionals.

There is a very low margin of error in floors and getting it wrong can mess up your home for a long time to come. Making a floor even slightly uneven leads to trip hazards and warping.

Flooring professionals have been doing floors every day for years. They know all the ins and outs and how to make it perfect. They’ll also complete the installation on time and on budget.

The last thing you want after going through the headache of installing a floor is having to pay for the whole project again after a pro rips up your DIY less than handy work.

2. Room/Home Additions

These projects are major undertakings. In most cases, you’ll require permitting from the city in order to get your project approved.

This means you’ll have to know your areas building codes and make sure all is up to snuff or the city will make you keep repairing it until it passes inspection. Then there is the architectural and engineering implications of correctly performing an addition.

The last thing you want is for this to be done poorly and for the floor to sag or the walls to be improperly insulated. Leave the major projects to the pros.

3. New Cabinets and Countertops

While IKEA would have you believe that you can DIY a kitchen in a weekend it’s not as simple as it looks. For one, cabinets are heavy, stone slabs are heavy and expensive, and you only have one shot on getting them right or you have to buy the materials all over again.

Building the cabinet boxes alone requires quite a bit of construction know-how and then you need at least two people to hang them. They need to be kept level during the entire installation and in most cases will be held above someone’s head because you won’t have the proper equipment.

When it comes to counters, if you’re working with stone, you only have one shot at measuring correctly and making the cuts. If you’re wrong it will have wasted an entire slab.

4. Electrical and Plumbing Repairs

Electrical and plumbing are their own trades for a very good reason.

Electrical is a serious business because you’re not only risking electrocution but, if wired incorrectly, you’ll have a major fire hazard inside the wall. There are strict codes to follow for safety when it comes to wiring and if you don’t know what you’re doing it puts your home and family in danger.

Plumbing is another area that causes major damage if done wrong. One missed seal can cause major flooding and leaks inside your walls, under your home, or throughout your bathroom or kitchen.

Outside of incredibly minor repairs, you should always call in a professional for all electrical and plumbing repairs.

5. Replacing Doors and Windows

This project has the same sorts of risks as the additions. By DIYing your home’s doors and windows you could make major code violations without even realizing it.

Also, inadvertently sealing them incorrectly means your home will be incredibly energy inefficient and your power and HVAC bills will start to skyrocket.

Measurements are tricky when it comes to doors and windows and you only have one shot to get it right because, well, you’re literally cutting a hole into your house. Call in a professional and don’t try this yourself.

Weekend Warrior Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be

While it may seem tempting to save money by doing a project yourself it’s a good idea to be realistic about your experience and qualifications for the job.

If you’re depending on intuition and YouTube it’s probably a better idea to call in a pro.

Luckily, Georgia Home Remodeling will be happy to help you, whatever the project. Call us today and start the journey towards the home of your dreams.