I Asked a Contractor What You Should Never DIY in Your Home: Here’s What He Said
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Home renovations can be pricey, especially when you hire a licensed professional contractor. Many homeowners attempt to DIY their own work to save money and time. While there are plenty of projects where this is a perfectly reasonable thing to do, some projects should be left to the professionals.
We asked contractor Wes True, general manager at Pella Omaha, what repairs and renovations homeowners should never try to DIY themselves.
Risky Projects
If it has to do with electricity or gas lines, you want to think twice, True said. “A shoddily wired outlet can result in electrical shock or even a house fire, and an improperly connected gas appliance can leak carbon monoxide.”
He especially urged homeowners away from DIY electrical panel upgrades. “The risk is electrocution, of course, and wiring done carelessly on the cheap often becomes a hazard long after.”
Additionally, things that require care around or disposal of toxic substances like asbestos and lead paint need a special approach, True insisted. “These are not simply expensive mistakes; they are risks to life and limb.”
Roofing and Big Structural Projects
Roofing projects are also dangerous due to the propensity for falls, which True said is “the number one source of home improvement injuries.” A roof is also a key piece of home safety and structural integrity, so you don’t want to take your chances with an improper installation.
Structural projects, such as eliminating walls, could also put the stability of a whole house at risk, he warned.
Work Requiring Professional Licenses
Certain kinds of work require a professional license due to sophisticated, nuanced and dangerous aspects. “Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas lines and major roofing repairs should always be done by a licensed professional,” True said. Those systems impact safety, health and code compliance, as well.
“An improperly installed water heater, for example, could lead to flooding or explosions. Having licensed work also ensures inspections pass smoothly and warranties remain valid,” he said.
Another key to determining if you should DIY a project or not, True said, is to ask if the project requires permits, specialized tools safety hazards or is a critical home system. In those cases, “it’s time to bring in a pro.”
Projects That Cost More To Fix
Another sign to avoid DIY is if a mistake could cost more to fix than the project itself, he warned. “Even experienced DIYers draw the line at projects that require inspections or impact resale value. It’s better to ask upfront than pay for a costly correction later.”
Appliance Installs
While simple appliances can be easy to DIY, if it involves hooking up plumbing or gas lines, you should always hire a professional. True explained a scenario where a homeowner tried installing their own dishwasher without paying close attention to the drain connection.
“What they hadn’t detected was a small leak that seeped into their hardwood floor for months. By the time they called me, the floor was buckled and the cabinets were water damaged.”
The repair that had to be done cost nearly $8,000, he explained, much more expensive than if she had simply hired a plumber in the first place.
What’s OK To Do
Painting, putting up shelves, landscaping and switching out cabinet hardware are all worthy of DIY attention, True said. “These are relatively low risk, don’t require permits and can be done with a few basic tools.”
They are also “very visual upgrades” that increase the look and value of a home that can give homeowners the satisfaction of their own improvement efforts without the fear of a costly mistake, he said.
Better to save up for big projects and pay to have them done properly than to wind up costing yourself money for mistakes.
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