5 Instances When It is Time to Call the Professionals

Many homeowners today are trying to save money and utilize their own skills by handling a lot of their home improvement projects themselves. And while there is nothing wrong with a little DIY magic, sometimes handling a job yourself isn’t the best option. In fact, there are plenty of times when it would be better for your home and your bottom line to let a professional handle the job instead. If you’re considering a home renovation project, here are five instances when it’s time to call the professionals.

1. Plumbing

Should the job you’re doing require any type of plumbing needs, letting a professional handle the job is a good idea. That’s because professional plumbers are not only trained in handling the day-to-day, but they also can recognize signs of other issues, such as rotting or leaks. If your home project involves any type of plumbing, from moving drains to fixing leaks, it’s a good idea to let a professional plumber come and check it out. According to Fix It Right Plumbing, “Many homeowners feel that using a professional plumber will add to the cost of the renovation. However, should a homeowner do something wrong that results in leaks or damaged pipes, the overall cost to fix that will be much greater than the cost of using a plumber in the first place.” If you want to err on the side of caution, using a professional plumber during your renovation is a smart idea for your home and your bottom line.

2. Electrical

While some electrical jobs can be done by a homeowner, such as updating lighting, bigger jobs should require the help of a professional electrician. After all, not only is electrical a very dangerous thing to deal with but doing it wrong could also put your home at risk of fires. Think about what type of electrical services your project will require, and then determine if it would be better to have a professional handle the job. If you are worried about your safety or the overall safety of your home, then letting a professional electrician do it is the best option. Plus, since these folks are trained at what they do, chances are they’ll be able to handle the job a lot quicker than you would on your own, which keeps the timeline of your project running on schedule.

3. HVAC

Sometimes a home renovation project requires moving vents or other functions of the HVAC system. While some of these projects may seem easy to tackle, it’s important to understand the risks involved should you do it wrong. For instance, if you don’t handle the HVAC system properly, you could end up with a gas leak in your home. This could ultimately result in carbon monoxide poisoning, which could lead to death. If your home renovation project requires any HVAC changes, let a professional come in and do it for you.

4. Gas

Like HVAC, any changes to gas lines should also be done by a professional. Again, a gas leak inside your home could pose fatal consequences, so it’s very important you don’t put yourself or your family at risk. If you need to move gas lines or handle anything with gas during your renovation, be sure to have the right professionals come on board to handle the job instead. This will not only give you peace of mind, but it will make the process run smoothly too.

5. Structural

In today’s world, having a  home with an open concept is typically desired, and this means many homeowners are knocking down walls and changing the structure of the home. However, before you take a sledgehammer to a wall you no longer want, it’s a good idea to have a structural engineer or general contractor come in and determine if that wall is load-bearing. If it is, taking it down without incorporating some other structural support could result in your home caving in, and that’s a huge safety hazard. If your home renovation project requires the removal of any wall inside your home or any major structural changes, you need to have a professional come in and ensure it is safe to do.

Home improvement projects can be exciting and handling them yourself can give you a vote of confidence you’ll love. However, sometimes a home improvement project is better left to the professionals, so if you find yourself in any of these situations, then it’s time to call in a professional.