6 Home Projects You Should Never DIY

There are some projects that most people could reasonably do on their own with minor risks. Many people can do cosmetic work like replacing back-splashes and molding. However, there are projects that are best left to professionals, either because they require significant expertise or are simply too dangerous. Here are six examples of home projects you should never DIY.

Electrical Work

You can replace a lightbulb or swap out an existing light fixture. You might be able to change a plug socket. But anything more complicated than this needs to be done by a professional. The chances of an injury or causing damage to your property are far too great. And safety isn’t the only reason to leave it to the pros. Most jurisdictions require electrical work to be done by a licensed electrician.

Plumbing Work

Long ago, plumbing might have been considered a DIY project. However, we’ve ended up with a mix of pipes in our homes. Don’t assume you know what you’re doing when trying to match copper to PVC to stainless steel pipes. Plumbing work is made even more complicated by the various rules and regulations that apply to it. The safest choice is to hire professionals for anything beyond unclogging a toilet or replacing a faucet. Don’t ask the sales assistant at the hardware store; they’re salespeople, not plumbing experts.

Also, consider calling in the pros instead of trying to modify walls and tiles in the bathroom. If your waterproofing is sub-par, you’re risking water damage to the underlying wall.

Gas Appliances

Whether you have a gas furnace, oven, dryer or water heater, you should call in a professional to handle the repairs. While you may be cautious, nothing could be worse than an unnoticed gas leak. Ensure that the work is done right by leaving it to the qualified experts.

Concrete

Concrete work is dangerous and can cost an arm to fix when things go wrong. You could try to lay a patio or lay tile yourself. If you make a mistake laying tile or pouring a patio, the worst-case scenario is ripping it up and replacing it. However, a do-it-yourselfer can’t handle the cracked or buckled walls themselves or replace the foundation after they’ve built on it.

Roofing

A leaking roof is best left to the professionals. You could try to replace a few shingles or tiles yourself, but you’re still taking the risk that you’ll fall off the ladder or the roof itself. Just call in the pros to have it done right. You should consider working with contractors like Northface Construction instead of attempting DIY in those cases.

Sanding Floors

Sanding floors is a skill that is really only learned by the pros. When you try to do it yourself, you’re likely to end up with lumps and bumps on the floor. The amateur work is probably going to be visible and thus detract from the home’s value when you put it up for sale. Hire the pros instead.

Conclusion

Safety concerns and the cost of correcting possible mistakes are the major reasons why you should call in the pros in these cases. And if you aren’t 100% confident in your skills, consider getting professional help instead.