DIY or NOT – Which Jobs Should Be Left to the Experts?

Pulling off a DIY project may save you money and it can betempting to try to do everything yourself when there are lots of instructional posts and videos online.

However, DIY projects are not always cheap and easy, especially if they involve complicated work that is best left to professionals.

If you don’t want to end up spending more on a DIY fail, then you should know what jobs would require the pros.

Table of Contents

Rodent Control

Seeing signs of the presence of rodents in the house can be quite jarring.

You might feel icky knowing that you’re sharing a space with rats and mice, who gnaw and chew at many things, including important ones, and who leave behind illness-inducing droppings and urine.

But no matter how pumped up you might be at the idea of stopping the infestation, let the experts handle the job.

The solution to an infestation depends on the specific type of rodent in your home. You might not know what trap or bait to use, whether it will last or not, and where the last rodent could be hiding.

If you keep trying different rodent control solutions, the trial and error might end up costing you more. This is why it would be best to contact an expert.

Plumbing

Fixing leaky pipes and faucets or running toilets might seem easy at first, but if you make a mistake with your initial DIY, you might have to pay more for a much bigger damage.

If your runny toilet kept running because of your botched DIY, you might have to pay more for wasted water.

If you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on serious plumbing issues and cause an even bigger mess by DIY-ing the repairs, then set aside around $600, the average cost of plumbing maintenance.

Certified plumbers will also fix the problem and prevent it from occurring again, making it cost-effective in the long run.

Heating Repair

HVAC systems are no novice’s playground. Most states require HVAC systems to be fixed by certified HVAC technicians alone, mainly because the job involves chemicals, complicated parts, gears, and electricity.

It is also dangerous to DIY heating repair. This is why techs need to have HVAC certifications – to ensure your safety and everyone else’s.

If your air conditioners and furnaces are not fixed properly, these faulty machines might cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause loss of consciousness or, worse, death.

Considering how expensive HVAC systems are, DIY-ing their problems might cause you to void the warranty.

The warning is usually noted in the unit or in the owner’s manual. Your unit must be installed, maintained, and repaired by a certified professional.

Roofing

You can always repaint things at home, but it’s not as simple when roofing is involved. It is just not practical, safe, or easy to DIY roofing.

You need to be properly trained and geared to finish a roofing job successfully. Otherwise, you will risk getting injured, cause your roof to collapse, or start a mold infestation.

Roofing experts can definitely finish installing a roof faster than an amateur would. They have the training, expertise, and tools to back them up.

It is also more cost-effective to hire an expert than to do the roofing yourself. You might have to spend around $2,000 to $8,500 to install a roof over a 2,200 to 2,600 square feet property.

This might seem more expensive compared to spending around $1,000 to $4,000 on a DIY job.

However, an improperly installed roof might cost you more in terms of repair and service fees in the future. It might also lower your house’s energy-efficiency, which will pile up in electricity bills.

Landscaping

Some homeowners admit to having DIY-ed their landscaping project, but you must avoid the typical mistakes that plague amateur landscapers.

First up would be planting things too close to your home. You have to give plants enough space to grow, which differs depending on what you’re planting.

Second, buying anything you like at first sight. There should be a pattern to what trees, perennials, or bushes to plant. Otherwise, you might end up with a messy yard.

This is why some might choose to leave the work to professionals, especially if you don’t know much about plants.

Third, your landscaping plan does not consider drainage and slopes. If this isn’t done right, you might have a big problem with your home builder’s warranty and foundation.

Again, this is another factor to consider that might push you towards hiring a professional landscaper.

Fourth, not following your homeowner association’s regulations on landscaping. Most HOAs have strict rules on backyard landscaping.

If you miss this, you might waste all your DIY efforts and money spent on the project. The pros would know that this is a crucial factor to consider before they start working on a landscaping plan.

Always consider the hidden cost and hassle behind DIY projects before deciding to give it a go.

In many cases, it might save you the money and trouble to just hire a professional to do the job than play around with the project yourself.

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Emma

A mother and lover of all things practical. My blog covers about motherhood by exploring all areas of life. Our tips and tricks help the large community to do more in less time so they can spend time enjoying happy, healthy families.