I’m a Contractor: 3 Expensive DIY Disasters I’m Always Called On To Fix

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Stepping into your kitchen, you sigh heavily at the leaky faucet, thinking that you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars to repair it. Unfortunately, Google isn’t exactly the best teacher, and you end up with a leaky faucet turned flooded kitchen. Perhaps it’s time to pick up the phone and call an experienced plumber or repair person after all. 

This story is very familiar to the professionals whose education in home repair goes far beyond YouTube tutorials. These experts don’t just perform repairs on parts of a home that break or wear down on their own. They’re often called upon to fix homeowners’ attempts at their own repair work. 

These experts will tell you that sometimes, trying to patch up issues yourself can cost you far more than simply picking up the phone and asking for their help in the first place. GOBankingRates talked to Jay Sanders, a contractor and owner of Castle Dream Construction, to learn more about the kinds of repairs you should never attempt yourself.

Electrical Mistakes

You might think most nonexperts would have common sense enough to realize that electric wiring is not exactly something you can casually undertake. And for good reason. Sanders said that making wrong connections or improper wiring can cause short circuits that a licensed electrician needs to repair to the tune of $200 to $500. 

One of the most egregious electrical errors you can make is failing to install a ground metal electric box properly. It’s far better to spend that $100 to $300 that Sanders estimates a proper installation will cost than to get electric shocks.  

Plumbing Woes

If you’re tempted to install those pipes or fixtures yourself, just know that mistakes can be costly. Sanders said that severe water leakage and damage may end up costing you anywhere between $500 and $5,000 — or maybe even more. 

Even if you think your initial repair will work, using the wrong material or fittings can cause clogging or even a burst pipe down the line. According to Sanders, repairing this DIY blunder could cost anywhere between $500 and $2,000. 

Structural Damage

While an open floor plan might look effortlessly chic in photos, it’s not exactly effortless in terms of work. Sanders said that removing a load-bearing wall without proper support can cause a collapse — and not just of your walls. Your budget can get knocked down if you need this kind of mistake repaired. Sanders estimated that it will cost anywhere between $5,000 and $15,000. 

Improperly installing doors and windows can also cost you dearly. Sanders estimated that the cost for a repair could run you between $500 and $2,000 per window and door. 

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