Why You Shouldn’t Always “Do It Yourself”

January 3, 2020

If you’re a homeowner, then you’re likely quite familiar with all the hidden costs associated with owning a home. It’s common to feel like there’s just about always something breaking and needing to be repaired, or a remodeling job waiting for you in the future. If you’re reasonably handy, there are certainly jobs you can take on yourself and do well, which will save you quite a bit of money in the process.

However, there are certain types of jobs you should never attempt to DIY, as doing so could either be extremely dangerous without the proper training or tools, or result in shoddy workmanship that makes professional assistance even more necessary than it already was.

Here’s a quick overview of some jobs you should not attempt to make into DIY projects in Poulsbo, WA:

Significant plumbing work:
It’s one thing to patch up a leak or to replace the inner mechanisms of a toilet. But if you have plumbing jobs that will require a lot of work or will involve some complicated repairs, you should leave them in the capable hands of professionals. A mistake could quickly become catastrophic, causing major water damage that could make the impact of the job significantly more expensive.

Demolition:
There’s some demolition work you can probably handle yourself, like tearing out old kitchen cabinets or ripping up old linoleum or carpeting. But when it comes to dealing with walls and structural elements, you’re much better off letting professional contractors handle the work. One wrong move and you could hit wiring, pipes or gas lines, making some major, pricy repairs necessary in the process.

Roof work:
It’s a good idea to stay off the roof and leave roofing work to professionals. You are unlikely to have either the skills or the equipment professional roofers use for the jobs they handle, and even if you have some of the tools of the trade, you can receive more assurance a professional will get the job done correctly the first time. Plus, professionals offer warranties for their materials and labor that you wouldn’t get from attempting to DIY your roof repair.

Working with gas:
Perhaps you’re attempting to add a gas range, or want to make some repairs to a gas furnace. You’re going to be much better off leaving this to professionals, as gas can be quite dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Never take on any kind of DIY job that would involve gas lines, just to be safe.

Electrical work:
Want to install a new lighting fixture? Go ahead and take that job on yourself, if you feel comfortable doing so. But adding new outlets or rewiring your home are examples of electrical jobs that are safer to leave in the hands of skilled professionals. Electrocution caused by mistakes made during these kinds of jobs can be fatal, and even if you complete the task safely, any shoddy workmanship could create a major fire hazard in your home.

Instead of taking on these DIY projects in Poulsbo, WA, contact a professional contractor at Coyote Hollow Construction today to learn more about what we can do for you.

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