To DIY, or not to DIY? That is the question. While it’s true that there are many tutorials, how-to articles, videos and projects posted on the internet today, a person’s safety should never be taken lightly, and while DIY projects may be fun, it isn’t a quick fix. While crafting a bookcase or hanging a shelving unit can be completed with a lower risk than other projects, the last thing you want to do is rewire your home, attempt to fix a plumbing problem or even hang a fragile light fixture. DIY can be a hobby, a fun activity for people who enjoy their own craftsmanship, but certain tasks should be left to the professionals.
When hiring the help of a tradesperson, ensure they are qualified in getting the job done right, and more importantly, that they are qualified in getting the work up to code. However, deciding whether a job calls for such a pro can be difficult. What jobs warrant your own skills or the skills of a tradesperson? Should I DIY or hire a pro?
What DIY projects can I do?
IKEA furniture is designed for a DIY build (if you can figure out the instructions). You could even build your own from scratch; bookcases, modest chairs and simplistic tables can all be crafted somewhat easily, all you need is a guide and the materials and tools available to you. You could also repaint the rooms of your home and the exterior of your house (if you know how to prime the paint and understand which paint is weather resistant), however, if there are hard to reach areas, hiring a professional painter means they have the tools and correct equipment to do so safely.
When it comes to re-roofing your home though, such as removing broken and substituting a few tiles or replacing the whole roof, calling someone specialised in roofing means they’re more likely to fix them without further damage or upset.
What should I hire a pro for?
Everyone knows that big projects like adding an extension should be done by a team of professionals. That is because anything concerning the electrical, structure, or the plumbing of a home needs to be up to code; the person making the changes should also consider having the right insurance, although this isn’t essential. These projects need to be done by a professional to ensure safety, adherence to regulation, and quality. However, when it comes to smaller, more manageable projects, what else should you hire a pro for?
Tree surgery
Cutting down branches or removing sick or dead trees can be very dangerous if you lack knowledge and experience. Don’t risk your safety, or the safety of your home, if the tree being removed is near a window, around parked cars or beside garden fences. By removing the tree yourself, you risk shattered glass, damaged cars and broken fence panels, all of which can cause further damage and increased costs. Instead, hire a tree surgeon who will do the job safely and efficiently, causing minimal damage.
Brickwork
Brickwork such as re-pointing, building a garden wall or laying a brick path, is another project that may seem simple, however, to ensure to a quality job, it requires the work of a professional. This is because there’s much more to brickwork than simply laying down the brick; it needs to be waterproof, weatherproof, stable and secure, otherwise you risk damp issues, uneven flooring that causes falls and brickwork that is easily destroyed by heavy rain, blusterous winds and storms. By doing it yourself, you risk a shoddy job.
Replacing a lock
For many people, stiff locks are a common issue for many homeowners. If you have to wiggle the key around to get the door open, then when replacing the lock, you should avoid using a WD-40; it may seem like a quick fix, but it’ll jam the pin tumblers eventually and stop the lock from working altogether. While you can use dry graphite, if you suspect it’s more than just dirt affecting the lock, you should bring in a locksmith from a reputable site such as Rated People, so they can take a look at the mechanism. Your home, and all its possessions, is secured by the locks on your doors. You do not want to risk a breach of security by trying to replace a lock yourself, or wasting time trying to find the correct lock and making the change itself.