4 Home Repair Projects You Should Never Do Yourself
Ray Flynn • March 24, 2020
Repair Projects You Should Never Do Yourself
With the number of DIY shows on TV, it’s easy to get the impression that a motivated homeowner can do anything without a pro. However, this isn’t always the case. Most projects are harder than they look, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’ll show in the end result. Attempting a project that you’re not cut out to do can also be incredibly dangerous. If you’re considering some DIY work around the house, think twice before starting any of these projects.
Electrical Work
Few things in the home pose more danger than the electrical system. If you aren’t a trained electrician, it’s not safe to mess around with wiring
in or out of the fuse box. Projects such as rewiring your home or even repairing large electrical appliances are always better left to the professionals. Servicing your electrical panel or fuse box without a pro is also a bad idea. Telltale signs such as flickering lights, crackling sounds, buzzing, or blown fuses might indicate that electrical work is needed right away.
The cost to hire a professional to replace or upgrade your electrical panel varies depending on the type of project. Installing a new sub-panel, for example, costs around $500, whereas moving an electrical panel can range from $1,000 to $2,000. Of course, the number of circuits, as well as the type of house that you own, can cause that number to jump to $3,000. Also, keep in mind that labor, disposal fees, and any extra work involved can affect what you pay.
Be aware that some electrical work may require you to have a permit before moving forward. This is true regardless of whether you’re doing the work yourself or hiring a pro.
Garage Door Repairs
A lot can go wrong with an overhead garage door, such as worn-out springs or noisy rollers. Some issues
can be fixed with a little routine maintenance. However, it’s important to be aware of your safety no matter how easy the project is. Garage doors weigh a lot and can cause serious injuries if you aren’t careful.
In some cases, it’s necessary to replace a garage door altogether. Before grumbling about the cost to replace the door, consider the fact that installing a new overhead door offers just about the best return on investment (ROI) compared to other home improvement projects.
According to LiftMaster, an average homeowner spends about $3,611 installing a new door but sees a $3,520 boost to their home’s resale value. That’s an ROI of over 97 percent, which is fantastic compared to the 66 percent average ROI you get on other projects.
In some cases, it’s necessary to replace a garage door altogether. Before grumbling about the cost to replace the door, consider the fact that installing a new overhead door offers just about the best return on investment (ROI) compared to other home improvement projects.
According to LiftMaster, an average homeowner spends about $3,611 installing a new door but sees a $3,520 boost to their home’s resale value. That’s an ROI of over 97 percent, which is fantastic compared to the 66 percent average ROI you get on other projects.
Waterproofing Your Basement
Having a damp basement is a major concern for many homeowners. Whether it’s due to a flood or simply cracks that allow condensation to build up, you should never ignore a wet basement. BobVila explains that there are a variety of DIY solutions for keeping your basement drier. Getting a dehumidifier
can help mitigate dampness as well.
However, if you’re dealing with chronic issues, it might be a better idea to stop the problem at its source by having a contractor install an exterior drain tile system or an interior drainage channel. An exterior drainage tile system can cost upwards of $10,000, while an interior drain solution usually starts at $5,000 minimum, according to BobVila.
However, if you’re dealing with chronic issues, it might be a better idea to stop the problem at its source by having a contractor install an exterior drain tile system or an interior drainage channel. An exterior drainage tile system can cost upwards of $10,000, while an interior drain solution usually starts at $5,000 minimum, according to BobVila.
Adding Crown Molding
Crown molding can instantly class up your interior whether you add it to cabinets or border your ceilings. However, installing molding is sometimes harder than you think, and a poor job will quickly make your home look slap-dash rather than high-end.
Materials can be relatively cheap, but it depends on the quality and type you choose. Medium-density fiberboard, for example, costs $1 to $3 per linear foot, plus about $2 to $6 in labor costs per foot. Considering the fact that most walls and ceilings are not perfectly aligned, you’ll be glad you went with a pro who knows how to handle such obstacles.
There are a lot of areas in the home where you can save money doing projects yourself. However, you should never put your safety at risk or try to save a few dollars on a project you don’t have the skills to do right.
Materials can be relatively cheap, but it depends on the quality and type you choose. Medium-density fiberboard, for example, costs $1 to $3 per linear foot, plus about $2 to $6 in labor costs per foot. Considering the fact that most walls and ceilings are not perfectly aligned, you’ll be glad you went with a pro who knows how to handle such obstacles.
There are a lot of areas in the home where you can save money doing projects yourself. However, you should never put your safety at risk or try to save a few dollars on a project you don’t have the skills to do right.
photo credit Pexels
