Many Do-It-Yourselfers seem to think they can tackle any project, as long as they have a book or online video to go by. And it is true that many household repairs and renovations could be done by the homeowner. However, there are a lot of things that should be left to the professionals, and there are numerous reasons why. In some cases, it may be because of poor execution, but in others, you might be putting your health, and even your life at risk. Here are 5 home improvement projects you should never do yourself.
Repainting Cabinets
Many of us are qualified to repaint a room, though it may not be as neat or done as quickly as it would be by the pros. However, repainting cabinetry should ideally be done by professionals.
Repainting cabinets might seem simple at first glance, but there are many things that make them difficult to work on. For one, cabinets have to be exposed to very different conditions with all the fumes and heat in kitchens. They also accumulate grease over time, and have to be treated carefully before you start painting them.
Cabinets have multiple moving parts as well. If you get paint into the hinges, you could impair their performance. Furthermore, cabinets need to be carefully painted so that it isn’t impossible to remove the paint later. Because cabinetry wood is often less even in its texture than conventional furniture, it is harder to paint evenly. And unlike your child’s bedroom, your kitchen cabinets will be seen by many of your visitors. Just hire professionals to ensure that it is done right.
Installing a Veranda
A patio is hard enough to build as a ‘do-it-yourselfer’, though a skilled person may be able to do so. But if you were thinking of adding a veranda, you need to call in the pros. It is far better to work with a professional than to try to install a veranda yourself. You don’t want to make a mistake installing the supporting structures and risk having expensive glass panels fall down on your guests.
Glass verandas should be made from toughened glass roofing panels and durable aluminium frames. This Veranda provider, for instance, uses rust-resistant and powder-coated aluminium frames that won’t rust, warp or degrade on exposure to the elements. The open frames from Nationwide will maximise your view of the outdoors without the risk of glass panels falling or breaking. They can install a full sunroom or a glass-panelled roof that gives you natural light along with protection from the elements while you sit out on the patio.
Installing New Carpet
Installing new carpets is one of the most cost-efficient upgrades to your home. The carpets don’t cost a lot, and it freshens up the entire room. New carpets may dampen noise and insulate a room better than the old carpets, too.
Too many homeowners think they just need to pull up the old carpet and lay out a new carpet. They don’t know that you need to glue it evenly to the floor. That process is more difficult when the floor itself is uneven. Laying carpet isn’t easy, either. Carpet rolls are heavy. Make a mistake laying it down, and you’re left with rips or wrinkles that are hard to get rid of. In fact, both are trip hazards and eye sores.
Putting in New Floor Tiles
Floor tiles are more difficult to install than carpet. The average person lacks the tools to cut tiles if necessary, and they rarely know how to mix mortar and apply it. Tiles could be laid unevenly, and that’s aside from the challenges of maintaining straight lines in the spacing. Anyone staring at the floor will see the uneven lines, and they may feel the uneven surface beneath their feet. Just hire a professional and know that it will get done right.
Doing Any Type of Plumbing or Electrical Work
No matter how much you think you know about plumbing or wiring, do not do any extensive plumbing work or electrical work unless you have the qualifications. You might be able to do things like installing your new dishwasher or electric boiler on your own, but don’t try moving major plumbing components or repairing piping yourself. When it comes to electrical work, anything beyond replacing blown fuses is just asking for trouble. It’s never worth it to do this kind of work yourself, so push your ego aside, and call in the professionals.
These are just a few projects that are almost impossible for a DIY enthusiast to get right. Bring in the pros to do right, so that your project doesn’t end up being among the 80 percent that get abandoned and 67 percent that need to be repaired by the pros later.