Home Improvements: DIY or Hire A Pro? (Safety + Insurance Advice)

Owning a home comes with many challenges. One of the most common struggles homeowners face is making house upgrades. Your home may not have been exactly what you envisioned when you purchased it. Or, enough time has passed since you moved in that certain features have become outdated.

Regardless of your reasoning, upgrades around the house are among the most common projects taken on by homeowners. Following proper home improvement safety tips and knowing your limits are essential when attempting to upgrade. While it might be tempting to tackle all projects yourself, some things are better left to the professionals. 

Not only will you create a more extensive project if you attempt to take on an upgrade beyond your skill level, but you may also cause yourself harm and potentially upset your insurance company. Here’s how to know whether you should DIY or leave it to a professional. 

Electrical Projects: Hire a Pro

If you’re planning on doing some rewiring in your home, it’s best to call a professional. Electrical work is tricky; without proper training, you risk causing more problems than you’re solving. 

Improperly handling wires can lead to electrocution, loss of power, and an electrical fire. Instead of risking your safety, these kinds of improvements are better left to someone who is skilled and knowledgeable about how to complete them correctly.

Not only can you hurt yourself trying to complete electrical work, but you may also fail to meet safety standards, which could lead to your insurance company raising your rates due to increased risk. 

Updating Walls: Easy to DIY

A project you can safely do yourself that can also transform your home is to update your walls. Improving your walls can mean anything from patching holes to painting. 

Typically, upgrading your walls to a new color or filling in holes is easy to grasp and doesn’t pose much threat, even if you create a few messes along the way. Paint jobs can always be touched up, and spackles can be sanded down and reapplied.

Even if your project doesn’t come out perfect, you can still easily and safely tackle this upgrade to improve your home. 

Plumbing Improvements: Hire a Pro 

Another project that is better left to the professionals is plumbing. Bathrooms are one of the most beneficial upgrades you can make in your home, but completing plumbing improvements can be problematic if you’re unskilled.

Bad plumbing can cause leaks, rotting, and structural damage to your home. While attempting this upgrade to save money may seem excellent in the short term, you may create more significant problems in the long run. 

You may run into even more problems by completing plumbing projects yourself. If you create damage to your home and try to file an insurance claim, you may be rejected. Because the damage results from faulty workmanship, your provider will see it as an issue you have created rather than an accident. If you experience plumbing problems after purchasing a home, call your realtor immediately.

Consider hiring a professional plumber or using products like Sanibest Pro toilet for reliable and efficient plumbing upgrades.

Replacing Fixtures and Hardware: Easy to DIY

A quick and easy way to update the look of many rooms in your home is to replace the fixtures and hardware. These items can quickly date your home and be an eyesore.

Fixtures such as lights and hardware like doorknobs and cabinet handles are relatively easy to change. Updating these features can completely refresh the look of your home with minimal skills needed.

When you are looking to replace these items, pay attention to the shape and size of your existing pieces. For the easiest swap, you’ll want to find more modern replacements that are similar to those you’re replacing.

For example, if you have round knobs on your kitchen cabinets, choosing a more modern version of the same style will allow you to avoid filling old holes and drilling new ones. This swap can be quick, easy, and make a massive difference. 

Installing a New Roof: Hire a Pro

A new roof can completely transform your home’s exterior look. However, trying to tackle a roof replacement on your own can be challenging and potentially lead to more significant problems.

Not only can replacing a roof be dangerous, as you risk falling and suffering severe injuries, but it can also cause leaks if not installed correctly. Over time, a poorly installed roof can lead to serious structural damage from continuous water.

Installing a roof yourself would be another instance where your insurance company won’t help you with any damages that may result from water damage. Since you installed the roof incorrectly, any problems caused would be yours to fix out of pocket.

Add in The Accents: Easy to DIY

If you want to significantly change your home without massive renovations, adding accents can be a great way to achieve a more modern look. There are various ways to add a little more character to your home — from crown molding to textured walls.

These projects are relatively simple and can typically be done by anyone willing to put the elbow grease into completing them. There is minimal risk of injury or damage by adding accents, but they can make a massive difference in the overall look and feel of your home. 

If there’s a room in your home that needs a little extra character, consider adding accents. These additions can look like a seamless part of your home, all for the low cost of materials and your labor. 

Determining Whether You Can DIY or Need a Pro

Home improvement projects can be a lot of work. But, if you’re a homeowner, you’re likely considering at least one or two to improve the overall look of your home. 

While it can be tempting to try and tackle all of these projects yourself, some improvements are better left to professionals. Avoid attempting upgrades such as electrical work, plumbing, and roof installations. An error in these projects can lead to serious injury, structural damage, and more extensive problems down the road. 

The good news is that there are some excellent projects you can tackle yourself, like updating walls, replacing fixtures and hardware, and adding accents. Any of these improvements can drastically improve the look of your home without the risk of injury or damage. 

Photo by Roselyn Tirado on Unsplash