The popularity of DIY or do-it-yourself projects has grown over the years. That’s mainly because people are trying to cut down on costs and save some money. DIY success stories, easy access to DIY tools, merchandise and instructions, as well as home improvement reality TV shows, also encourage people to venture into these types of projects.
Most DIY ventures are simple and easy enough to be accomplished by just about anybody. For example, fitting skirting boards can be easily done pretty much by watching video tutorials. You can make the floor and walls look seemingly flawless even if you haven’t done skirting before.
But, there are also projects that are better off in the hands of experts. Amateurs should be careful in taking on tasks that may compromise safety when it’s poorly done or those that can ruin the appearance of valuable assets in one misstep, otherwise, they may end up losing more money or placing themselves in an accident-prone situation.
There are particular companies you can contact to help you with renovations and which could be better done, two of them would be property preservation companies and real estate managers. Property reservation services include first and foremost inspections, and what needed to be done like roof repair, lawn maintenance, window boarding, and such important renovations.
Real estate managers on the other hand, helps property owners if they decide to rent their unit. While they are mostly involved when the unit is ready, they would also responsible for the upkeep of the property. Guestready, an Airbnb management company is one such company. If you decide to have your property rented, they are the people to be in touch with – cleaning, restocking, maintaining the property and even marketing your unit to those seeking accommodation.
Here are some examples of projects that require certain levels of expertise.
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Remodeling of House Structures
Home renovation projects that require you to tear down a wall or put up a new one require both wits and muscles. One wrong move in its demolition can bring the whole house down on top of your head, and the same thing can happen when one ends up with poorly built walls or posts. Knowledge about the building code requirements of the state is also needed or one may find himself rebuilding everything from scratch when the structures fail to meet the standards upon inspection of the proper authorities.
Electrical Installations and Repairs
The building code also has provisions for electrical wiring installation and repair standards. There are even States that have explicit requirements of having these jobs strictly done by professionals only. But even without any prompting from the law, people should leave these tasks to experts. The consequences of improper wiring can range from short circuits, electrocution, and even fire.
Tasks that require Technical Know-How
The consequences of poorly repaired electrical appliances are the same as that of faulty electrical wiring. Thus, it is practical to leave this job to trained electricians. You can’t do electrical repairs safely even if you watch tutorials, it’s just not worth the risk.
Pest control and other activities that entail the handling of harmful chemicals or hazardous elements are other risky DIY undertakings. Any error in the formula mixture or an accidental spill may cause irreparable damage to one’s health or property. It is better to pay the experts than to pay the doctor later on.
Restoration, Repair, or Maintenance of Valuable Assets
Jewellery, family heirlooms, or any property that has sentimental value can be ruined if unexperienced hands touch them. They could also be badly damaged when one lacks the expertise in handling it. Prized possessions are worth the care and attention of well-trained hands. Again, better to pay the experts than ruin something valuable.
Projects that are not within your level of expertise
The success of a DIY project largely depends on one’s skill level. Knowing your capabilities and choosing tasks that are within the scope of your skills is one way to ensure the project’s accomplishment. Knowing and allowing others to do a job they’re best at is also a good call.
Taking on a DIY project is a great way to save on labor costs with the additional reward of self-accomplishment. But, it shouldn’t be done when safety and craftsmanship are at stake or when there are serious consequences involved. DIY is the best option when you know how to choose the right projects fitting your skills.
Um yes… 🙂 To a point things can be done yourself, but there are other things that just cannot!
I finally realized, after a couple of disasters, that DIY beyond basic painting is not my area of expertise! I really depend on great people do things for me, and I have been lucky to find a few.
it’s really important to make sure you keep within your skills… and hire a pro when it’s beyond what you can do.
I’ve diy’d bookshelves and that’s just about it. 🙂
DIY for me is a trial and error thing. And I sometimes end up calling up a pro so as not to suffer the safety of my place.
That’s what we wanted to avoid 😀 to double up on costs for doing something we shouldn’t have in the first place. 😀
Great post! My husband and I definitely know our limitations but I have a friend whose husband does not – what a mess, lol! I’m sending her a link to this post.
Im fairly good with DIY projects because I always followed my Grandpa around while he was doing his handyman/painter thing. My husband however…is a different story lol
I do on occasion stetch my DIY skill sets, but not so much that if I get stuck I cannot either ask for help or find help.
I hate to do it, and wish I wasn’t but I am good at painting. I have painted so many rooms its not even funny, I should charge lol. I just got done painting my daughters bedroom with the Monster High theme 🙂
good post! yes i would love to be able to DIY everything lol but there are just some things that I can NOT diy!!