Doing your own home improvements can have its benefits – it can often save you money and it could be more personally rewarding. However, there are times when it really is better to leave it to the professionals. Here are just a few home improvements that you should never take on yourself.
Electrics
Electrical work requires skill and knowledge and is something that is often best left to a certified electrician. Many electrical tasks can be dangerous if done incorrectly – there could be a risk of fire or electrocution. In some cases, it could even be illegal to take on an electric task without a license (or at the very least, you’ll need to hire an electrician to verify your work as safe). Simple electrical tasks such as replacing a light fitting or replacing a socket are usually fairly safe and legal to perform without a license, but anything more complex than this should be avoided.
Plumbing
There are some simple plumbing jobs such as replacing a removing a U-bend under the sink or bleeding a radiator that is worth taking on yourself. However, some plumbing jobs can be a little more complex and disastrous if you get them wrong. For instance, fitting a new bathroom is probably something you want to leave to a professional, as a poorly-fitted pipe or seal could be enough to cause a major flood. Gas plumbing should never be attempted unless you have a gas plumbing license – a gas leak from a plumbing fault could result in carbon monoxide poisoning or could even blow up your entire home.
Roof repair
When it comes to roof repair or roof replacement, it’s often worth hiring roofing services rather than attempting this job yourself. Roof repair can be a precarious job – if you slip, it could cause serious injury or even be fatal. Even on the most secure of roofs, there’s then also the negative impact that faulty roof repair could have including the possibility of rainwater leaking in. All in all, you’re much better at putting your trust in professional roofers.
Knocking down interior walls
Removing an interior wall isn’t just a case of swinging a sledgehammer. Such improvements can affect the structural integrity of your home and therefore need to be done in a calculated manner. There may also be other associated work such as relocating piping or electrics. By hiring professionals, you can ensure that this job is done safely and correctly.
Installing windows
Window installation is also something best left to the pros. Fitting a window takes skill – one false move and you could shatter the entire pane. Hiring professionals could be particularly important if you’re adding an entirely new window into a wall rather than replacing an existing one. Much like removing an interior wall, creating the cut-out for a new window could damage the structural integrity of your home and need to be carried out in a calculated manner.
