When to Leave Home Improvement Projects to the Professionals

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It’s always fun flexing those do-it-yourself muscles. From patching drywall and painting walls to replacing faucets and repairing caulk, several home projects are safe and straightforward enough to tackle on your own. But some other repairs and improvements are best left to the professionals. Attempting to install roofing or make structural changes to your home can be incredibly expensive, time-consuming, and downright dangerous. Do yourself a favor and hire a pro for the following home renovation projects.

Roofing Repairs and Replacements

Whether your roof is sporting a few broken tiles or showing signs that an entire replacement is in order, keep your feet on the ground! Roofing work is dangerous, especially for homeowners who lack the proper safety equipment. While it may be tempting to save money by making your own roofing repairs, you risk overspending on materials or installing the wrong materials altogether. Professional roofers know how to choose the right materials for your climate and the structure of your home to ensure your new roof lasts as long as possible.

If you need an entire roof replacement, you can expect to pay between $5,352 and $10,667, according to HomeAdvisor. About 40 percent of the cost will go toward materials and 60 percent to labor. When budgeting for your roof installation, keep in mind that costs will vary depending on your location, roofing materials (high-end options like copper average $25,000 for installation), and whether your roofers will have to work around features like skylights.

Plumbing and Electrical Work

Your plumbing and electrical systems are two other home components to leave to the professionals. DIY plumbing repairs can result in severe damage to your entire home and may end up costing you much more to fix than you would spend having the job done right the first time. When it comes to electrical work, safety is the main concern. Attempting your own electrical repairs puts you at risk of electric shock and might result in a serious fire hazard. According to The Spruce, electricians charge between $40 and $120 per hour on top of a flat service fee for making the visit. Small jobs, like adding a new outlet or light switch to a wall, will cost you about $150 to $200.

Installing Tile

While it may not be dangerous to attempt your own tile job, many things can go wrong with a DIY tiling project. First of all, tiles are expensive, so you won’t want to tear up your work and have it redone by a professional if things don’t turn out how you expected. Mistakes made with spacing or mixing grout can cause tiles to crack, hurting your aesthetic and leading to water damage. Plus, tiling can take a very long time if you don’t know what you’re doing! Save yourself the headache and hire a professional tiler. According to Flooring Clarity, installing bathroom or shower tile will cost you about $7 to $20 per square foot with labor and supplies.

Replacing Flooring

Like installing tile, flooring may seem like an easy project to tackle on your own. All you have to do is rip up the old floor and replace it with your new material, right? But there are several steps in the process that are easy to botch if you haven’t done the job before. And you never know what you’ll find when you rip up that floor—warped materials, water damage, cracks, rot, or mold need to be addressed before installing your new floor on top.

A professional will take care of everything so you won’t have to deal with removing your old flooring, researching your endless flooring options, or checking your subflooring for damage. The cost to replace your flooring will depend on the size of the room and the materials you choose. Laminate and vinyl flooring are the most affordable options at $2 to $5 per square foot. Labor will cost you an additional $2 to $2.50 per square foot.  

In Conclusion

Making your own home repairs is incredibly rewarding, but you may want to save your DIY skills for cosmetic upgrades and smaller repairs around your home. Tackling dangerous or highly specialized projects often results in disastrous and expensive consequences for homeowners. When in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and hire a professional for your next home improvement project.





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